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.
NGO condemns Libyan coastguard for opening fire on migrant boat
On 10 July, European rescue group SOS Mediterranee issued a statement condemning the Libyan coastguard for firing shots ‘in close proximity’ to their rescue operation, in which the crew had picked up 11 survivors of a shipwreck in international waters off the Libyan...
Tripoli court jails three people for human trafficking in Libya’s first ruling of its kind
On 7 July, the office of the Attorney General announced that the Criminal Court of Tripoli has sentenced three people to harsh prison terms on charges of human trafficking, in the first ruling of its kind in Libya. According to the statement, one of the defendants was...
European Commission says Libyan coast guard ‘infiltrated by criminals’
On 6 July, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson stated that there was a clear indication that the Libyan coast guard was infiltrated by criminal groups. In her statement to the European Parliament, which comes two weeks after the EU delivered new...
Tunisia deports hundreds of African migrants to Libyan border region amid international condemnation
On 5 July, Tunisia forcibly deported several hundred black Africans to the Libyan border after violent riots involving migrants in Sfax (in which one Tunisian was killed). Subsequently, several international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch...
Dabaiba forms new operations room as he shifts to ‘law and order’ focus in western coastal region
On 5 July, Dabaiba ordered the formation of a Coast Road Operations Room under Western Coast Military District Commander Salaheddin al-Namroush. Among others, the 111th Brigade and the 444th Brigade will participate. The units in the west coast region will also be...
Prominent Zawiyya militia leaders arrested in Ras Ajdir
On 4 July, an armed group leader from Zawiyya, Abdurraouf al-Kabu (aka al-Zaza), was arrested in Ras Ajdir, after returning from Tunisia, based on a warrant issued by the Attorney General al-Sadiq al-Sour. A member of al-Kabu’s group, Riyad Belhaj, was also arrested....
Libyan security forces detain over 200 migrants in Tubruq raid
On 2 July, Libyan security forces reportedly detained over 200 Egyptian and Pakistani migrants who were set to sail to Italy from Tubruq. Following the raid by the Tubruq Security Directorate on a suburban farm in the city, the authorities are said to be preparing to...
20 migrants rescued to Lampedusa as security forces crackdown on smugglers in Sabratha
On 30 June, Mediterranean rescue organisation Alarm Phone said it was alerted by nearly 20 people in distress, trying to escape from Sabratha on a wooden boat about 40 miles off Lampedusa. The group later said the migrants ‘were able to finally escape Libya’ after...
Wagner allegedly targeted in drone strikes on Khadim base as GNU, LNA deny responsibility
On 29 June, facilities of the Wagner mercenaries at al-Khadim Air Force Base in the Kharouba area south of al-Marj were reportedly attacked by at least one combat drone. One Russian Il76 transport aircraft operated by the Wagner Group was reportedly hit and heavily...