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.
UNSMIL confirms Barghathi’s death in LNA custody
On 21 December, UNSMIL confirmed in a statement the death of former Government of National Accord (GNA) Minister of Defense Mahdi al-Barghathi and some of his companions in Libyan National Army (LNA) custody in Benghazi. UNSMIL expressed its concern over the death of...
US meets with key actors to push for Bathily’s initiative
The US has held a flurry of meetings with key actors as part of the push for Bathily’s latest initiative to reach fruition. On 20 and 21 December, US Special Envoy Richard Norland and Charge d’Affaires Jeremy Berdnt meet separately with a raft of key players including...
Tripoli court sentences ISIS member to life in prison
On 20 December, the office of the Attorney General said that the Tripoli Criminal Court has sentenced an ISIS member to life in prison. Charges included 'violence and armed action' in the city of Derna and its vicinity, the statement said.
Drone strike destroys Russian transport aircraft at al-Jufra airbase
On 15 December, it became known that a civilian Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft, which was presumably operating on behalf of the Russian Wagner Group, was destroyed by a combat drone at al-Jufra Air Base, probably on 12 December. It is also possible that the attack...
Juwaili meets Menfi and Bathily amid increasing tensions in Ghadames
On 14 December, UN Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily met with Western (Mountain) Military Region Commander Osama Juwaili, members of his staff and commanders of units of the Western (Mountain) Military Region in al-Aziziya (a town around 30km south of Tripoli) at the camp of...
Tensions rise in Misrata around pro-Dabaiba joint force
Tensions have been growing in Misrata over the last few weeks between groups aligned with Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba (who is from Misrata) and those opposed to him. On 14 December, the Misrata Joint Force (‘al-Moshtaraka’)...
Tensions rise in Ghadames over plans to reopen border with Algeria
Tensions have been rising in the town of Ghadames in the south-west of Libya precipitated by the planned reopening of the Ghadames – Debdeb border with Algeria which was planned for the 12 December. This saw the Government of National Unity (GNU) mobilising its forces...
TBZ brigade accused of migrant abuse
On 11 December, several international news outlets - Al Jazeera, Lighthouse Reports, the Syrian Investigative Reporting for Accountability Journalism (SIRAJ), Malta Today, Le Monde, and Der Spiegel - who have undertaken a months-long joint investigation into links...
UN and EU call for accountability on human rights
On 10 December, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called for ‘human rights to be protected and promoted as an enabler for Libya’s democratic transformation.’ UNSMIL expressed concern...