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.
4 September – 10 September: Multiple alleged jihadists killed in Tripoli
On 7 September, media sources claimed that a former senior member of the Benghazi Shura Council, Salem-al-Zayani, was killed in clashes in southern Tripoli. On 7 September, media outlets reported that Islam Saleh Hassan al-Hassadi (aka Barjum) had been killed in the fighting on the Ain Zara Axis of Tripoli. On 7 September, Al-Fitouri Nasr Muhamed Dabbashi was reportedly killed on the Ain Zara Axis in southern Tripoli.
4 September – 10 September: UN Envoy to Libya believes agreement is “conceivable”
On 8 September, the French newspaper Liberation published an interview with UN Special Envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, who stated his belief that a political agreement between the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar and the Government of National Accord was “conceivable”.
4 September – 10 September: Anti-LNA forces launched coordinated assault in southern Tripoli
On 7 September, the anti-LNA coalition launched a coordinated assault against LNA forces in southern Tripoli.
28 August – 3 September: UN Secretary General claims increase in ISIS attacks in southern Libya since April
On 29 August, the UN published a report outlining the UN Secretary General’s overview of the Libyan crisis as presented to the UN Security Council on 26 August. The report claimed there “was a significant increase in the number of attacks by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in southern Libya” following the LNA’s assault on Tripoli in April.
28 August – 3 September: No notable incidents occurred this week
No notable incidents occurred this week.
28 August – 3 September: New AFRICOM Commander meets Serraj
On 26 August, the head of the GNA, Fayez al-Serraj, met with the new Commander of AFRICOM, General Stephen Townsend, and US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland. On 30 August, Norland met with the head of the High Council of State (HCS), Khalid al-Mishri. On 29 August, the UN published a report outlining the UNSG overview of the Libyan crisis as presented to the UN Security Council.
28 August – 3 September: LNA launch assault to retake Ghariyan
On 26 and 30 August, the LNA launched an assault on the mountain town Ghariyan but were repelled. On 28 August, anti-LNA forces launched an assault on LNA forces along the Zatarna axis in south-eastern Tripoli. On 31 August, four projectiles struck Mitiga airport in Tripoli, damaging the runway and hitting a passenger jet operated by Libyan Airlines.
21 – 27 August: ISIS member allegedly killed on Tripoli frontlines
On 27 August, unconfirmed reports claim the LNA killed an alleged ISIS member fighting on the front lines in southern Tripoli. On 15 August, unconfirmed reports suggest ISIS militants attacked a checkpoint in Bawbat al-Souda in the Jufra region. On 18 August, the LNA’s spokesperson, claimed ISIS members are amongst the opposition forces it is fighting in Murzuq.
21 – 27 August: Old video of cleric calling Syria fighters to Libya resurfaces online
On 20 August, a video was circulated on Libyan social media showing Abdullah al-Muhaysini, a Salafi cleric linked with al-Qaeda affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, calling on fighters in Syria to travel to Libya to fight against the LNA. However, this video was released in April of this year.