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.
Chinese citizens arrested following raids on bitcoin mining farms in western region
On 21 June, two Bitcoin mining farms were raided in Misrata. Ten people were arrested (all Chinese). On 22 June, another Bitcoin mining farm was raided near the Iron Factory in Zliten. Several people from China were arrested. On 23 June, the Attorney General's Office...
EUBAM Libya hosts counter terrorism workshop
On 20 June, the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM) said it was hosting a three-day workshop on Counter Terrorism with the Libyan Counter-Terrorism unit and international observers. EUBAM Libya operations head Jérôme Buaillon described the...
Bathily highlights armed groups and human rights issues at UNSC briefing
In his briefing to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 19 June, UN Special Envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily stated that there is a widespread fear amongst Libyans that, should the conflict in Sudan last longer, its spill-over consequences might pose a new...
EU denies helping smugglers in Libya
On 16 June, European Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer denied accusations that the European Union (EU) was helping smugglers in Libya as it steps up cooperation with Libyan authorities accused of colluding with smugglers and traffickers. Mamer's denial follows a UN...
Nine Egyptians in Greek court over Tubruq migrant boat tragedy
On 15 June, Greek authorities announced that nine Egyptian survivors were arrested and are due in a Greek court on suspicion of belonging to the smuggling ring that arranged the voyage of a migrant boat that capsized in the Mediterranean a day earlier. The arrest came...
HRW, UNSMIL slam eastern Libyan authorities for mass deportations
On 9 June, Human Rights Watch (HRW) slammed eastern Libyan authorities for the mass deportation of Egyptian migrants, who were forced to leave Libya on foot after being detained and deported following last week’s raids on smuggler hideouts in eastern border towns. HRW...
Rome to ask Haftar for greater cooperation on migrant control from eastern Libya
On 9 June, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said at a press conference that Rome was planning to ask Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar for greater cooperation in stopping the departure of migrants from eastern Libya. He added, however,...
Thousands of illegal migrants deported to Egypt amid unrest in Umm Sa’ad border town
On 2 June, thousands of illegal migrants were deported to Egypt amid unrest in Umm Sa'ad on the Egyptian border. As of 4 June, about 2,200 illegal migrants have been deported to Egypt. On 2 and 3 June, hideouts of smugglers and human traffickers as well as migrant...
Mishri discusses Zawiyya unrest with Turkish ambassador
On 31 May, High State Council (HSC) Chair Khaled Al-Mishri spoke with the Turkish Ambassador to Libya Kenan Yilmaz about the security situation in Zawiyya. Earlier, Yilmaz met with local representatives from Zawiyya. Officially, Turkey continues to deny any...