ISIS in action
Tracking developments of ISIS activity and the anti-ISIS coalition in Libya.
30 May – 5 June: ISIS attack al-Qanan police station south-east of Ajdabiya
On 2 June, ISIS fighters attacked a police station in al-Qanan, 10km south-east of Ajdabiya, killing a civilian and injuring another five. No police were injured or killed despite two police cars being set aflame. The casualties were allegedly a family in a car passing by the raid. A go-pro camera recovered at the scene by the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) 21 Infantry Brigade has shown that the raid involved 8-9 fighters.
23 May – 29 May: ISIS claim responsibility for attacks in Oil Crescent
On 23 May, ISIS claimed responsibility for the two attacks that occurred in the Oil Crescent on May 22 – a suicide vehicle-borne improved explosive device (SVBIED) targeted the Libyan National Army (LNA) 152 Brigade Gate 60, south east of Ajdabiya, while gunmen attacked an LNA checkpoint north of Awjilah kidnapping two guards.
9 May – 15 May: ISIS fighters observed near Sirte while Coptic Christians killed by ISIS returned to Egypt
On 11 May, local sources from Sirte reported that ISIS fighters were seen moving in the valleys, southeast of the city. On 14 May, 20 Egyptian Coptic Christian killed by ISIS in 2015 near Sirte were returned back to Egypt.
2 May – 8 May: ISIS fighters attack HNEC in Tripoli and LNA checkpoints in the Oil Crescent
On 2 May, Islamic State fighters attacked the HNEC building in the Ghout al-Shaal area of Tripoli. As many as 16 people were killed and more than 19 were injured. On 5 May, ISIS claimed its fighters undertook two attacks on the LNA in the Wahat province in late April. On 8 May, ISIS undertook an SVBIED attack on an LNA controlled checkpoint near Bin Jawwad 70 km from Ras Lanuf, killing two and injuring four.
25 Apr – 1 May: Body in an orange jumpsuit found in Sirte with ISIS thought to be responsible for their death
On the 26 April, Sirte security forces found a body in an orange jumpsuit, thought to have been killed by ISIS. It is unclear if the body was from a recent killing or from when ISIS controlled the city up until late 2016.
18 Apr – 24 Apr: ISIS shoot civilians near the Marada region
On 19 April, civilians were injured in a shooting after they were stopped at an ISIS checkpoint near Marada.
11 Apr – 17 Apr: There were no developments reported this week
There were no developments reported this week.
4 Apr – 10 Apr: LNA arrest ISIS member preparing attack on Zueitina
On 7 April, local Libyan National Army (LNA) affiliated security apprehended a suspected ISIS member who was allegedly preparing to conduct an attack against LNA forces in the coastal town of Zueitina.
28 Mar – 3 Apr: ISIS SVBIED attack on the southern entrance to Ajdabiya while the PC launch new anti-ISIS military operation
On 29 March, ISIS undertook a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) attack on the southern entrance to Ajdabiya killing 5 people, wounding 6 and damaging at least 6 vehicles. On 2 April, Presidential Council (PC) spokesperson Mohammed al-Sallack announced the launch of a new military operation dubbed Asifat al-Wattan (The Nation’s Storm) with the aim of ending ISIS’s militant presence in Libya.