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.
Egypt seizes smuggled weapons shipment on western border with Libya
On May 9, the Egyptian Border Guard reportedly seized a large shipment of weapons, ammunition, and narcotics in the Great Sand Sea area, south of the Siwa Oasis and adjacent to Egypt’s western border with Libya. Egyptian Colonel and Spokesperson for the Armed Forces,...
Unconfirmed reports of ISIS activity in Tripolitania
On 9 May, unconfirmed reports surfaced of ISIS activity in Mizdah (180 km south of Tripoli) and potentially in Bani Walid and Ghariyan. According to reports, security forces in Mizdah and the surrounding areas mobilised in response to information from citizens that...
Turkey assists Libyan Coastguard to rescue migrants
On 5 May, seventeen migrants were rescued off the coast of Misrata by the Libyan Coastguard in coordination with the Turkish navy. The migrants were reportedly of Asian nationality and disembarked at the Khoms naval base, east of Tripoli. The Libyan Coastguard said...
777 Brigade commander Tajouri criticises Dabaiba
On 5 May, former Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade (TRB) leader and current 777 Brigade commander, Haithem Tajouri, was reported by local media to have openly criticised the Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba. According to reports,...
Bashaagha hints at Sirte being GNS administrative capital
On 4 May, House of Representatives (HoR) Designate Prime Minister, Fathi Bashaagha, gave a speech to regional social and tribal leaders at the Ouagadougou Complex Hall in Sirte, in the company of senior GNS ministers. He indicated his intent for Sirte to become...
Territorial clashes break out in Zawiyya
On 4 May, clashes broke out in Zawiyya between armed groups affiliated with Mohammed Bahroun (also known as ‘al-Far’, the ‘Mouse’) from the Hneish tribe and forces affiliated with the Zawiyyan Abu Zuriba tribe under the Stability and Support Apparatus (SSA) Western...
Lavrov claims Wagner invited to Libya by HoR, denied by HoR members
On 2 May, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, stated in an interview with the Italian broadcaster Mediaset that the Wagner Group Private Military Company (PMC) had ‘nothing to do’ with the Russian state and was operating in Libya on a ‘commercial...
Rada receives shipment of 100-150 armoured vehicles from Tripoli Port
On 2 May, Special Deterrence Force (Rada) reportedly received a shipment of 100-150 armoured vehicles from Tripoli Port. Local media claimed that this shipment had originally been seized in March by the Libyan National Army (LNA) off the coast of Derna.
UNSC extends UNSMIL mandate through end of July
On 29 April, the UN Security Council (UNSC) extended the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 31 July 2022. The UK, the UNSC’s current pen holder, submitted a draft text for the UNSMIL mandate to be extended for a year. However,...