ISIS in action
Tracking developments of ISIS activity and the anti-ISIS coalition in Libya.
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.
21 – 7 Mar: No ISIS developments reported this week
There were no ISIS-related developments reported this week.
14 – 20 Mar: Libyan news outlet suggests ISIS intends to take over a specific town in the Oil Crescent
On 13 March, a Libyan news outlet published an article suggesting that ISIS intends to take control over a specific Oil Crescent town. The article alleged that it had been following several members online through social media.
7 – 13 Mar: ISIS members killed in Derna and claim attack near Ajdabiya
On 11 March, the LNA spokesperson announced that its Sirte Operations Room had killed three ISIS leaders fleeing Derna. On 8 March, a SVBIED attacked a LNA checkpoint south east of Ajdabiya. Two Sudanese civilians and one LNA fighter were reportedly wounded.
28 Feb – 6 Mar: American accused of trying to enter Libya to join ISIS arrested
On 28 February, US law enforcement officials stated that twenty year old Bernard Raymond Augustine from Keyes in the US, accused of trying to enter Libya to join ISIS, had been arrested. Augustine had been returned to the US from Tunisia after being first arrested in Tunisia in 2016.
21 – 27 Feb: ISIS undertake a VBIED attack on an LNA checkpoint near Waddan
On 21 February, at 9:15 in the morning, an ISIS Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) drove into the LNA 127 infantry battalion at a checkpoint near Waddan in the Jufra district. The attack killed three LNA fighters and wounding two more.
14 – 20 Feb: Tunisian Foreign Minister suggest ISIS will attempt to return to Libya following its defeat in the Levant
On 18 February, Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui is reported to have stated in an address at the Munich Security Conference in Germany that ISIS will attempt to return to Libya following its defeat in Iraq and Syria.
7 Feb – 13 Feb: VBIED attack by suspected ISIS fighter on LNA checkpoint east of Sidra
On 10 February, three LNA officers belonging to the 165th Brigade were injured in a VBIED attack on their position at the 90km checkpoint, 60 km east of Sidra. The driver of the vehicle is suspected of being an ISIS fighter.
31 Jan – 6 Feb: ISIS linked Indian national allegedly held in Libyan jail while multiple clashes occur between LNA and ISIS.
On 30 January, Indian media reported that an Indian national, who is said to have joined ISIS in Libya in 2016, is allegedly being held in a Libyan jail. On 31 January, the LNA claimed two ISIS affiliates had been killed in clashes in Brak al-Shatti. On 2 February, two purported members of ISIS were killed in fighting near Maradah. On 3 February, three alleged ISIS fighters were also killed in clashes near Waha Company’s Dahra oil field.