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.
LNA undertakes raids on aligned southern forces
On 13 October, the Libyan National Army (LNA)’s Tariq Bin Zayid (TBZ) battalion undertook an operation against LNA-aligned units stationed in Tamanhint airbase near Sebha. The following day, the TBZ launched an operation against LNA units stationed at Brak Airbase....
Reports of withdrawal of Syrian forces from Watiyya airbase
On 13 October, a batch of Syrian forces based in Tripoli were reportedly repatriated from Libya back to Syria by Turkey via Watiyya airbase. More than 500 are alleged to have departed Libya over the last fortnight. However, the departure coincides with unconfirmed...
Head of Internal Security Service reportedly arrested on plane at Mitiga
On 12 October, an unidentified armed group allegedly affiliated with GNU Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba reportedly kidnapped Major General Rashid al-Rajbani, the Head of the Internal Security Agency, from Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport. He was...
FBI arrives in Cyprus to examine aircraft suspected of violating Libyan arms embargo
On 12 October, Cypriot media reported that US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents were in Cyprus heading to Paphos International Airport to inspect a plane stored in a private hangar, following a UN report calling on inspections to be carried on the possibly...
Embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US in Libya issue a joint statement on Action Plan
On 10 October, the Embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States in Libya issued a joint statement welcoming the announcement of the Action Plan agreement. The Embassies underlined the need for Security Sector Reform (SSR) and...
IOM condemns violence against migrants
On 9 October, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) issued a statement condemning the killing of six migrants and at least 24 injured during a chaotic episode the previous day at the Mabani detention centre in Tripoli. IOM Chief of Mission Frederico Soda...
5+5 JMC agree on comprehensive Action Plan for withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign fighters
On 8 October, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) concluded a three-day meeting in Geneva by signing a comprehensive Action Plan ‘for the gradual, balanced and sequenced process of the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces from Libyan...
Clashes in Tripoli between MoI and MoD aligned groups
On the evening of 8 October, clashes broke out between 301 Battalion and the Security Directorate Support Force (SDSF) in the Airport Road neighbourhood of Tripoli. Some reports claimed that the clashes were triggered when the SDSF arrested a gang for selling alcohol...
Zintan forces undertake counter-terrorism operation in western region
On 7 October, the Western Military Region Joint Force under the command of Usama Juwaili and the General Security Services led by Emad Trabelsi undertook a counterterrorism operation that resulted in the arrest of five individuals alleged to be part of a terrorist...