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.
1 – 7 January 2020: Turkey’s parliament approves bill that enables sending troops to Libya
On 1 January, the Arab League convened an exceptional meeting in Cairo but failed to reach a consensus on how to de-escalate the conflict in Libya. On 2 January, Turkey’s parliament approved a bill to enable troops to be deployed to Libya to support the GNA. On 2 January, Egyptian President al-Sisi condemned in the “strongest terms” the Turkish parliament’s authorization. On 6 January, the GNA announced that a planned visit to Tripoli on 7 January by the newly appointed diplomat-in-chief of the EU Joseph Borrell and the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Germany and Italy had been postponed. On 6 January, Serraj arrived in Algeria to meet with the newly-elected Algerian President Tebboune.
1 – 7 January 2020: Haftar declares full mobilisation to defend Libya from Turkey
On 3 January, Haftar declared a state of full mobilisation to defend Libya from Turkey. On 4 January, the HoR held an emergency meeting and asked the international community to withdraw its recognition of the GNA. On 4 January, the LNA launched a drone strike targeting a military academy camp in Tripoli and killing 30 people. On 6 January, the LNA launched an assault on Sirte, resulting in the withdrawal of local anti-LNA forces and GNA-aligned Misratan forces.
18 – 31 December 2019: Al-Mismari alleges that Turkey has transferred hundreds of terrorists to Libya
On 30 December, spokesperson of Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA), Ahmed Al-Mismari, alleged that hundreds of “terrorists of various nationalities” affiliated with ISIS and Al-Qaeda had been transferred from Syria to Libya during the past days via Turkey.
18 – 31 December 2019: No notable developments.
No notable developments.
18 – 31 December 2019: UNHCR renewed its call for protecting civilians in Libya as international involvement increases
On 17 December, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Libya and met with Serraj and Haftar. On 21 December, a senior US State Department official said that the US is “very concerned” about the intensification of the conflict in Libya. On 23 December, the EU issued a statement reiterating its calls on all Libyan parties to cease all military actions and resume the political dialogue. On 24 December, a high-profile meeting gathered together representatives from the Russian and Turkish foreign ministries. On 25 December, Turkish President Erdogan paid a surprise visit to Tunisia and met with Tunisian President Saied. On 28 December, Italian Prime Minister Conte warned that Russia and Turkey, and not Europe, are setting the agenda in Libya’s conflict. On 29 December, Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis said that Greece wants to be included in the UN-sponsored Berlin conference on the Libya conflict. On 29 December UN Envoy to Libya, Salamé, called for greater civilian protection following several incidents in western Libya.
18 – 31 December 2019: GNA requests Turkish military support as fighting in Tripoli intensifies
On 19 December, the GNA approved its security MoU with Turkey. On 26 December, the GNA formally requested Turkish ground, naval and aerial support for its forces fighting against Haftar’s LNA in Tripoli and Erdogan said the Turkish parliament would vote on the issue in January. On 23 December, the Municipality of Misrata issued a statement refuting that it had had any communication with Haftar’s forces after Haftar issued an ultimatum on 19 December calling for Misrata to withdraw its forces from Tripoli.
12 – 17 December: Two men arrested under suspicion of smuggling funds to ISIS fighters
On 13 December, the CID in Benghazi arrested two men under the suspicion of smuggling funds outside Libya for an ISIS fighter.
12 – 17 December 2019: Unconfirmed reports of released BRSC fighters
During the last week, unconfirmed reports circulated suggesting Tripoli’s Rada released 29 members of the BRSC. This follows calls from Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Gharyani to release BRSC and DMSC fighters.
12 – 17 December 2019: Head of the GNA Serraj meets with high-level representatives in Doha
On 12 December, the European Council condemned the maritime deal between the GNA and Turkey. On 14 December, the Security and Military MoU was introduced to the Turkish parliament. On 15 December, the head of the GNA, Fayez al-Serraj, met with high-level representatives of Qatar as well as US Republican senator Lindsay Graham. On 16 December, Turkey claimed that Russian President Putin suggested working jointly in Libya.