ISIS in action
Tracking developments of ISIS activity and the anti-ISIS coalition in Libya.
Manchester Suicide Bomber is of Libyan Decent
The suicide bomber who detonated a suitcase bomb at a Manchester concert on 22 May has been identified as Salman Abeidi, a British-born Libyan. His parents were dissidents who fled to the UK during the Qadhafi period. Abeidi lived with his family in a quiet, middle-class neighborhood in Fallowfield in south Manchester. The family was […]
17-27 May: BDB fighter chants ISIS songs in Brak Attack
Footage found on the phone of a Palestinian man captured by the LNA, who was reportedly amongst BDB forces, depicts the Palestinian and his companions chanting an ISIS song as well as the execution of LNA soldiers.
10-16 May: ISIS fighters hijack fuel trucks
On 14 May, three fuel trucks were seized by ISIS fighters on the road from Abu Grien to Jufra, south of Sirte. BM leaders also received threats from ISIS via social media accusing them of being “infidels assisting imperialists”.
3 – 9 May: ISIS Kills Misratan Fighters in Jufra
On 7 May, ISIS claimed responsibility for an ambush of GNA-affiliated Misratan Third Force fighters 100km south-west of Sirte. In Benghazi, the LNA published the execution video of an Algerian ISIS fighter captured in Sabri.
24 Apr-1 May: ISIS Infiltrates Italy; Exploits Program for Injured Libyans
The Guardian reported last week that Italian intelligence documents claim ISIS fighters may have infiltrated Italy by presenting false passports to medical personnel in Misrata and claiming to be wounded Libyan fighters seeking treatment in Europe.
Apr 18-25 ISIS leader killed in Sabratha
On 23 April, Abdullah Dabbashi, a Libyan ISIS leader was reportedly killed in Sabratha while in Benghazi, the LNA claimed that ISIS fighter Mohammed al-Moghrabi had not been executed as thought.
US Imposed Sanctions on Designated ISIS Financiers
The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified three Libyan-based financial facilitators of ISIS and have imposed sanctions on those individuals. The Libyan National Army (LNA) maintains an aerial and naval blockade in Benghazi, limiting the extent to which ISIS-aligned groups like the BRSC can bring in supplies.
5-11 Apr: ISIS prisoners finally released in Libya
On 6 April, several Eritrean and Nigerian women who were captured and enslaved by ISIS in Sirte were released from prison in Misrata, and will be able to apply for asylum or be repatriated.
29 Mar – 4 Apr: Bridge in Benghazi destroyed by jihadi fighters
The al-Lathama bridge into Sabri in Benghazi was destroyed last week, reportedly by jihadists to prevent the LNA from advancing westwards. In Sirte, residents are returning and some public services are resuming.