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 urges restraint amid armed group mobilisation in Tripoli
On 10 March, UNSMIL issued a statement saying that it was closely following with concern reports about the mobilization of forces and movement of large convoys of armed groups that have increased tensions in and around Tripoli. The statement stressed importance of...
LNA tests surface-to-surface ballistic missiles in eastern Libya
On 7 March, the Libyan National Army (LNA) Artillery and Missile Company launched two R-17 short range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles during a testing operation southwest of Benghazi. The missiles were launched from the Jardina area, landing south of Tubruq in...
LNA launch anti-ISIS operation in Libya’s South
On 7 March, the LNA’s Southern Operations Room launched an operation to pursue suspected ISIS operatives near the Chad and Niger borders, south of Qatrun. According to reports, the LNA uncovered an ISIS safehouse, a grave and a ‘secret prison.’
P3+2 and EU issue joint statement
On 4 March, the governments of France, Germany, Italy, the US and the UK released a joint statement noting the UN Secretary-General’s statement and ‘expressing our concern at recent reports of violence, threats of violence, intimidation, and kidnappings’. The...
Two of Bashaagha’s new ministers kidnapped and later released
On 3 March, the Misratan Joint Force under the command of Mohammed Issa is alleged to have temporarily detained the GNS Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hafez Qaddour, and the Minister of Culture and Arts, Salha al-Darrouki. Qaddour and Darrouki were both released after...
Armed group closes pipeline suspending operations at Sharara
On 3 March, an armed group shut off the pipeline valve linking the Sharara, al-Feel and Hamada oil fields to Zawiyya and Mellitah oil terminals as well as Zawiyya refinery. The chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) Mustafa Sanallah stated, ‘We have been...
UN concern over HoR vote and pushes UN-led HoR-HSC mediation initiative
On 2 March, the UN released a statement attributable to the Secretary-General expressing concern that the House of Representatives’ (HoR) vote of confidence on the cabinet of Fathi Bashaagha ‘fell short of the expected standards of transparency & procedures & included...
Ghinaywa and Bin Rajab shift to support to Dabaiba
On 2 March, Zawiyyan militia command Mohammed Bin Rajab - in the company of key militia commanders including head of the Security Support Apparatus (SSA) Abdul Ghani al-Kikli (Ghinaywa), Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade (TRB) commander Ayoub Abu Ras, commander of the...
HoR grants confidence to Bashaagha Cabinet
On 1 March, the HoR granted confidence to Bashaagha's slightly amended Cabinet list, dubbed the Government of National Stability (GNS). At the time of writing, there remains confusion about the number of HoR members in attendance and the votes in favour of the...