ISIS in action
Tracking developments of ISIS activity and the anti-ISIS coalition in Libya.
17 – 23 Jan: Ghanaian security forces arrest returnee with suspected links to ISIS in Libya
On 15 January, Ghanaian security forces arrested three returnees from Libya planning a terrorist-related attack. One of the suspects, Ishmael Ali Musa, is alleged to have connections to ISIS in Libya.
10 – 16 Jan: ISIS establish a series of temporary check points near Sirte and the Jufra area
On 11 January, a would-be ISIS bomber surrendered himself to al-Bunyan al-Marsous (BM) forces after defusing the bomb he was instructed to detonate. On 14 January, BM forces arrested an Egyptian who was allegedly hiding and transporting ISIS fugitives out of Sirte.
3 – 9 Jan: RADA arrest two ISIS fighters connected to a failed car bombing in Tripoli.
On 9 January, Tripoli’s Special Deterrent Force (Rada) announced the arrest of two ISIS fighters who confessed to being responsible for the failed Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) bombing in the al-Dreibi District in southwest Tripoli on 6 January.
Dec 27 – 2 Jan: GNA affiliated forces continue to remove ISIS IEDs from Sirte
Photos of GNA affiliated forces show the continual removal of ISIS IEDs from the Sirte area, while there are reports of ISIS-sympathetic telegram accounts accusing the BRSC of having a deal with the Libyan National Army.
19 – 26 Dec: Mass grave uncovered near Sirte thought to contain ISIS fighters
On 24 December, a mass gave thought to contain the bodies of as many as twenty ISIS fighters was uncovered in the al-Manara neighborhood of Sirte following a report from a local resident. Al-Manara saw the most intense clashes between ISIS and the al-Bunyan al-Marsous forces prior to the former’s defeat in the city in […]
13-19 Dec: DMSC Arrests ISIS Members in Derna
On 12 December, DMSC members arrested some alleged ISIS members in Derna including Mahmoud Mohammed al-Souainay. On 14 December, DMSC fighters arrested Souhail Rizk al-Oakley, in al-Maghar area in the centre of Derna, for the second time. On 13 December, reports indicated that the body of a young man which showed signs of being executed was found in Nufaliya, a town east of Sirte.
6- 12 Dec: Misrata published a video ‘confession’ of an ISIS member
The anti-crime department of Misrata published a video ‘confession’ of an ISIS member who revealed details of the beheading of Egyptian Coptic Christians in 2015. On 10 December, the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council (DMSC) undertook a raid on an ISIS cell in Derna that concluded with the arrest of the entire cell and the death of ISIS member.
29 Nov -5 Dec: ISIS Reported To Be Regrouping In The Valleys South Of Sirte
On 3 November, Zarouk Asuiti, the head of the activation committee of security services in Sirte, stated he has received information suggesting ISIS is regrouping in the valleys south of the city. The Libyan Air Force are said to be flying Mi-35 helicopters over Nawfaliyah-Bin Jawad area following reports of ISIS activity in the area.
22-28 Nov: LNA Declares Oil Crescent Closed Military Zone Due to ISIS
Last week, the LNA declared the Oil Crescent to be a closed military zone after a number of ISIS convoys were seen inside Harawah town, between Sirte and Sidra. On 26 November, al-Ghani oil field was ransacked and buildings torched by unknown assailants. The LNA announced it captured Dernawi ISIS fighter Anis Bualjieh Awami last month.