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.
9 – 15 October: LNA concerned that Turkey will send terrorists from Syria to fight in Libya
On 13 October, an LNA commander expressed concern that Turkey might attempt to transfer hundreds of extremists belonging to Jabhat al-Nusra from northern Syria to western Libya, via Turkey, to fight amongst the anti-LNA coalition.
9 – 15 October: Berlin Conference delayed as Salame calls for actions not words
The planned “Berlin Conference” on Libya will be delayed until at least November. On 11 October, the UN Envoy to Libya said he remained hopeful that the Berlin Conference would lead to a UN Security Council resolution preventing foreign countries from escalating the crisis in Libya, as well as the implementation of mechanisms to enforce the arms embargo.
9 – 15 October: Civilian casualties mount as stalemate continues on Tripoli frontlines
On 14 October, suspected LNA aerial attacks struck a house in the al-Furnaj neighbourhood of Tripoli, killing three children and their mother, and injuring another child. On 13 October, a TRB commander accused the MoF and CBL of obstructing a deal for additional support from Turkey.
2– 8 October: No significant developments
No significant developments.
2 – 8 October: BAM observe “suspicious terrorist movement” south of Sirte
On 1 October, the commander of the al-Bunyan al-Marsous told Italian media that forces patrolling south of Sirte had recently identified “suspicious terrorist movements.”
2 – 8 October: UNSMIL condemns airstrikes on Equestrian Club
On 6 October, UNSMIL published a statement condemning airstrikes on the Equestrian Club in Tripoli’s Janzour neighbourhood. On 4 October, UNSMIL issued a statement expressing alarm at “indications that parallel, unrecognized authorities in Libya” are threatening the NOC and its subsidiary Brega.
2 – 8 October: LNA launches airstrikes on Misrata airport
On 5 October, the LNA launched airstrikes on Misrata International Airport. Ahmed al-Mesmari said that the LNA had launched four raids targeting four military targets in Sirte. On 3 October, the spokesperson for the SPF confirmed that the LNA had launched airstrikes targeting al-Qardabiya base.
AFRICOM launch 4 aerial attacks in 10 days targeting ISIS in southern Libya
On 24, 27 and 29 September, AFRICOM conducted multiple airstrikes in southern Libya targeting ISIS and claimed to have killed 35 ISIS fighters. On 30 September, the LNA Khalid Ibn al-Walid Battalion clashed with ISIS fighters between Qatroun and Um al-Aranib in southern Libya.
25 September – 1 October: Unverified claims of AQIM affiliate killed in AFRICOM airstrikes
In the wake of US AFRICOM airstrikes targeting ISIS fighters in southern Libya, unverified claims circulated on social media suggesting AQIM-affiliate, Ahmed Abdul-Jaleel al-Hasnawi had also been killed in the operations.