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.
30 September – 6 October: GNA capture five alleged ISIS members
On 30 September, the GNA MoD’s Joint Force captured 5 alleged ISIS members near the Tunisian border. On 1 October, the LNA spokesperson, Mismari, released additional details on the identities of the ISIS leaders killed in Sebha in mid-September.
30 September – 6 October: Germany and UN host “Second Berlin Conference”
On 5 October, the UN and Germany began co-hosting a virtual meeting of the countries and IOs that took part in the Berlin Conference on Libya of January 2020. On 2 October, a draft 10-page plan prepared by the EU’s foreign policy office was unveiled. Also on 2 October, the Turkish MoD said that the UN had ‘registered’ the deal for demarcation of maritime boundaries reached between Turkey and the GNA. On 30 September, United States Defence Secretary Mark Esper travelled to Tunis.
30 September – 6 October: LNA claims to have captured terrorist cell
On 3 October, the LNA’s 116 Infantry Brigade claimed to have captured a ‘terrorist cell’.
30 September – 6 October: HoR Speaker Saleh prepares trial conference
On 3 October, HoR Speaker Saleh met with the eastern-based interim government’s MFA al-Huweij. On 30 September, the Attorney General’s Office announced that several top Libyan officials had been arrested or charged with corruption. On 29 September, the GNA’s MoD announced that it had opened enrolment. On 29 September, a district court judge in Virginia ruled that lawsuits against LNA head Haftar should go forward.
23 – 29 September: Alleged assassination attempt by ISIS
On 24 September Saleh, commander of the Khalid Bin Walid Brigade, survived an assassination attempt in the Nassriya district of Sebha. On 23 September, LNA-Spokesperson, Mismari, declared that the leader of ISIS in North Africa, Abu Abdullah al-Iraqi, was killed in the LNA raid in Sebha one-week prior.
23 – 29 September: No relevant developments.
No relevant developments.
23 – 29 September: Germany plans to host the second ‘Berlin Conference’
On 27 September, a second round of UN-mediated meetings was set to occur in Bouznika, Morocco, but was delayed. On 5 October, Germany plans to host the second ‘Berlin Conference’. On top of all this, French President Macron signalled that Paris was seeking to hold their own ‘talks on Libya’. On 25 September, an Algerian newspaper reported that several African countries refused to accept the appointment of former Bulgarian politician and UN diplomat Mladenov as the new UN Special Envoy. On 23 September, EU foreign policy chief Borrell announced that the EU was lifting sanctions on head of the HoR, Saleh, and President of the GNC Abu-Sahmain.
23 – 29 September: Mi-24 helicopter crashes at Sawknah
On 28 September, military and police delegations from western and eastern Libya met in Egypt. On 24 September, violent clashes reportedly occurred between GNA-aligned forces in Tajoura. On 23 September, LNA Commander Haftar and Speaker of the HoR Saleh met in Cairo with Egyptian President al-Sisi. On 23 September, a Mi-24 helicopter crashed at Sawknah. On 21 September, renewed protests against corruption occurred in Benghazi.
16 – 22 September: GNA head Serraj announces plans to resign
On 16 September, GNA/PC head al-Serraj announced on live television that he would ‘hand over’ his duties. On 18 September, Kufra residents staged mass protests in front of the town’s municipality headquarters. On 14 September, the GNA’s MoI allegedly issued a decree to create a committee for the purpose of integrating fighters and armed groups.