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.
Mangoush claims foreign mercenaries have begun to leave Libya
On 3 October, Government of National Unity (GNU) Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush, confirmed during a conference in Kuwait that ‘some’ foreign fighters had withdrawn from Libya, describing it as a ‘very modest start’. Mangoush added that the GNU was ‘still seeking a...
Menfi receives US Ambassador, head of AFRICOM in Tripoli
On 29 September, the Commander of the US Military Command in Africa (ARICOM), General Stephen Townsend and US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland, visited Tripoli, where they met with Presidential Council (PC) head Mohammed al-Menfi. During the meeting, Townsend...
Dabaiba travels to Niger to address security concerns at southern borders
On 29 September, Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba travelled to Niamey to meet with Nigerien president Mohammed Bazoum. The two men discussed issues of illegal immigration from northern Niger through southern Libya and reiterated...
Wagner reportedly withdraws from Jufra and al-Ghardabiya air bases
On 26 September, operatives from the Russian private military contractor (PMC) Wagner Group reportedly began to withdraw from Jufra and Sirte’s al-Ghardabiya airbases towards eastern Libya, beyond Sirte. Reports suggest that when Wagner operatives left the bases, they...
UN to inspect aircraft suspected of carrying weapons to Haftar in Libya
On 21 September, Greek media reported that UN experts are scheduled to arrive in Cyprus in November to inspect a plane in a warehouse at Paphos Airport believed to have been used to violate arms embargo on Libya. In 2019, the aircraft, which is believed to be linked...
Two Turkish military cargo planes land at Al-Watiya Air Base
On 20 September, two Airbus A400 Turkish military cargo plans took off from Isparta in southwestern Turkey and landed at Al-Watiya Air Base.
Chad and France deny involvement in military operations in Libya
On 17 September, France and Chad denied accusations from FACT that they had been involved in military operations against FACT in southern Libya. The Chadian Defence Minister reportedly insisted that ‘no Chadian soldier has intervened on Libyan territory’, while a...
Clashes resume between LNA forces and FACT
On 16 September, LNA reinforcements and helicopters arrived in Tmassah as clashes reportedly resumed between LNA and FACT forces north of Aouzou (Chadian territory near the border with Libya), Tmassah and Torbu in Libya. International and LNA media sources reported...
Heavy fighting between LNA and Chadian FACT breaks out in southern Libya
On 14 September, Libyan National Army (LNA) Tariq Bin Zayed (TBZ) Special Task Force, following orders from Saddam Haftar, led an assault against Chadian fighters from the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) south of Tmassah near Torbu in the valleys in the...