International actors
Tracking developments of international actors in Libya’s security space including military activity, the presence of foreign operatives and diplomacy pertaining to Libya’s security.
Russia increases military flights to Libya amid US concerns
Since 11 December, two civilian-registered Russian Il-76TD heavy transport aircraft have been con ducting (almost) daily shuttle flights from Russia via the NATO-country Turkey to Libya’s Al-Khadim air base (east of Benghazi) and back. On 16 December, both jets flew...
Koury discusses military unification with western actors
Acting SRSG to Libya Stephanie Koury met with several key Tripoli-based security officials this week to discuss military unification and promoting stability. On 10 December, Koury met with the Government of National Unity's (GNU) Deputy Minister of Defense, Abdussalam...
Ripple effect of Assad’s fall felt in Libya
On 8 December, the regime of Bashir al-Assad in Syria collapsed amid the surprising offensive of various rebel groups. On the same day, the Libyan Embassy in Syria called on all Libyan citizens present and residing there to exercise caution and vigilance. The embassy...
Internationals including AFRICOM & UNSMIL visit LNA general command
On 3 December, Secretary General of the Libyan National Army (LNA) LTG Khairi al-Tamimi met at the LNA General Command in al-Rajma with a working-level military delegation, which was led by LTC Cook, U.S. AFRI COM, and Major Ethan Orwin, Military Attaché at the U.S....
5+5 Joint Military Commission meets in Turkey
On 28 November, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) met at the invitation of the Turkish Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Ankara, Turkey, at the HQ of the MoD. During the meeting, additional steps for the peace, stability, and security of Libya were discussed. The 5+5...
Russian deputy MoD Yunus-Bek Yevkurov visits Libya again
On 26 November, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defence Yunus-bek Yevkurov arrived in Benghazi again for a visit. He was welcomed at Benghazi-Benina airport by LTG Khairi al-Tamimi, Secretary-General of the Libyan National Army (LNA), MajGen Khaled Haftar, Chief of Staff...
Colombian mercenaries fighting for RSF in Darfur arrive via Libya
On 26 November, the Colombian newspaper La Silla Vacia published a report in which it stated that there are around 300 Colombian ex-military personnel who are in Sudan or near its border, operating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Hemedti. The Columbian...
Norland and Saddam Haftar discuss regional stability
On 24 November, US Special Envoy Richard Norland and Charge d’Affairs Jeremy Berndt visited Sebha, meeting with Libyan National Army (LNA) Ground Forces Chief of Staff Saddam Haftar and other senior security officials. They discussed the critical role southern Libya...
UNSMIL hosts meeting on DDR
On 21 November, UNSMIL said it had held a meeting on challenges and opportunities in sup porting disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of militias in Libya that took place on 18 November. It brought together representatives of UNSMIL, the Government of...