Libyan actors
Tracking developments of Libyan Actors in Libya’s security space including armed group activity, state security operations and political activities pertaining to Libya’s security.
ISIS mastermind of 2018 Tripoli attacks arrested in Tajoura
On 24 August, Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba announced that a security operation carried out by the Special Deterrence Force (Rada) – formally now known as the ‘Deterrence Apparatus for Combatting Organized Crime and Terrorism’...
Russia strengthens military ties to LNA with high-level visit amid death of Wagner leader
On 22 August, a Russian military delegation led by Deputy Minister of Defense Yunus-bek Yevkurov arrived in Benghazi at the invitation of Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar. Upon his arrival at Benina airport, he was received by the Director of the...
Tripoli clashes show absence of command and control in western Libya, Bathily tells UNSC
In his address to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 22 August, UN Special Envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily said the recent clashes in Tripoli between the 444 Brigade and the Special Deterrence Forces (Rada) underlined the absence of command and control in...
LNA launches campaign against FACT targets in southern Libya following Chadian airstrikes
On 22 August, Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari confirmed Chadian airstrikes on the Front pour l’Alternance et la Concorde au Tchad (FACT) targets in southern Libya. He said that any incursion by Chadian forces into Libyan territory requires the...
Tensions remain high as Rada and the 444 Brigade withdraw from frontlines
On 18 August, Rada and the 444 Brigade withdrew most of their fighters from the front lines during the day. The withdrawal was supervised by the Ministry of Interior, the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), and the 111th Brigade. Prisoners and the bodies of those...
FACT accuses Chadian forces of airstrikes against its base in Libya as LNA announces plan to secure borders
On 18 August, the Front pour l’Alternance et la Concorde au Tchad (FACT) published a statement in which it claimed that the Chadian army had carried out an aerial bombardment on its base in Libya, killing three people and injuring another four. It also claimed that...
Tripoli clashes subside following release of 444 Brigade commander
After the abduction of the 444 Brigade commander Mahmoud Hamza by Aburraouf Kara’s Rada Force on 14 August, fighting continued between those militias and their allies in Tripoli until late in the evening on 15 August. The main battle areas were along the line Tripoli...
Libyan and international actors condemn Tripoli clashes, call for end of hostilities
On 15 August, as the fighting intensified in Tripoli after the commander of the 444 Brigade, Mahmoud Hamza, was arrested by the Special Deterrence Force (Rada) at Mitiga Airport, condemnations and calls for peace began to roll in from key international and political...
Violent protests erupt at Khoms port despite GNU denying reports of Turkish naval base lease
On 15 August, media outlets and social media posts reported that Turkey had leased the port of Khoms for 99 years and that the Turkish Armed Forces would use it as a base in the Mediterranean. It is not entirely clear if the message was posted first by Turkish social...