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.
NGOs call on Maltese government to halt migrant pushbacks to Libya
On 10 April, twenty-two Maltese organisations and academics called on the Malta government to stop pushing back people at sea to Libya, following allegations that 83 migrants on a boat adrift in Maltese waters had been ‘forcibly intercepted’ by the Libyan Coastguard...
US ‘corrects’ reports on training of ‘armed groups’ in Libya
On 9 April, Africa Intelligence, Nova Agency and several other news sites reported that the American private military company Amentum had begun training the 444 Brigade (commanded by Mahmoud Hamza), the 111th (Misrata) ‘Halbous’ Brigade (the former brigade of Libyan...
US Defense Attaché delegation visits several security posts
A US Defense Attaché delegation travelled to Misrata and al-Khoms, where they ‘made productive visits’ to the Central Military Zone, Al Khoms naval base, and various important military and counterterrorism forces, stressing that the US ‘will continue to support...
Ex-Irish forces accused of training Haftar forces despite arms embargo
On 3 April, the Irish Times reported that former members of the elite Army Ranger Wing within the Irish Defence Forces have been training troops under the command of Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar in contravention of the ongoing UN arms and...
Operation IRINI conducts three friendly visits and registers 10 suspicious flights in March
On 3 April, the Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI announced that (only) three ‘friendly visits’ to suspicious ships were carried out in March (without finding weapons or ammunition) and ten ‘suspicious flights’ were registered.
EU Ambassador and Trabelsi discuss migration as part of trilateral task force
On 31 March, EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando met with Libyan officials including Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi, as well as AU and UN representatives, as part of an AU-EU-UN Trilateral Task Force on migration. They called for establishing legal process for...
Egypt intelligence chief discusses political situation with Haftar in Benghazi visit
Following a visit by UN Special Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily to Benghazi, the Head of Egyptian General Intelligence Abbas Kamel visited Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar on 25 March to discuss the current political situation, especially the status of the...
US reportedly extends its Libya sanctions regime for another year
On 19 March, the UK-based legal website, “Global Sanctions - Law, Practice and Guidance” reported that the US had renewed its existing Libya sanctions regime for one year.
LNA sends pilots to Russia for training
In January and mid-February, the Libyan National Army (LNA) sent two groups of altogether six to eight pilots to Russia for training on MiG-29 and Su-24 jets. The ground training lasted one month and is followed by three months of practical flight training.