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.
25 September – 1 October: France and Italy co-chair ministerial meeting on Libya at UNGA
On 26 September, France and Italy co-chaired a ministerial meeting on Libya on the sidelines of the UNGA. The meeting was attended by representatives from the US, the UK, the UAE, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Egypt, China, the UN, the EU, the Arab League and the African Union.
25 September – 1 October: GNA and LNA release statements ahead of UN General Assembly
On 25 September, the head of the GNA, Fayez al-Serraj, gave a speech at the UN General Assembly in New York claiming he would never sit at the negotiating table with Khalifa Haftar. A few hours after Serraj’s address, the LNA released a statement arguing it had “always called for peace.”
18 – 24 September: US AFRICOM launches airstrikes against ISIS near Murzuq
On 19 and 24 September, US AFRICOM launched aerial attacks targeting alleged ISIS members located near Murzuq. Statements from AFRICOM indicated that they had killed eight ISIS fighters and eleven ISIS fighters respectively.
18 – 24 September: AFRICOM drone circled over AQIM hotspot in southern Libya
Prior to a US AFRICOM airstrike targeting ISIS fighters near Murzuq on 19 September, a drone was also suspected to have flown over the Wadi Ajal and Ghat, an Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) hotspot
18 – 24 September: US Ambassador meets with Haftar as international momentum on Libya grows
On 18 September, Conte and Macron met in Rome to discuss cooperation on Libya. On 19 September, US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland met with the head of the LNA, Khalifa Haftar, in Dubai. On 23 September, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France will chair a meeting on Libya on 26 September on the side lines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
18 – 24 September: LNA ramps up airstrikes on Tripoli and Misrata
During the last week, the Libyan National Army (LNA) has increased its aerial attacks on anti-LNA forces in southern Tripoli, with a specific focus on reducing their aerial and drone assets. Heavy fighting has been reported within and in proximity to the Tripoli International Airport (TIA), Aziziyya, al-Asebea, and Khallat al-Furjan.
11 September – 17 September: Rumored attack by ISIS fails to materialize
On 11 September, a suspected attack by ISIS targeting Tripoli’s downtown area failed to occur following the distribution of a letter addressed to the National Oil Corporation (NOC) expressing concern over the possibility of an attack.
11 September – 17 September: Alleged Ansar al-Sharia affiliate killed in southern Tripoli
On 15 September, an alleged Ansar al-Sharia affiliate, Yousef Abdul Salam Tarhouni (aka Yousef al-Akbab) was killed during an aerial attack on the defunct Tripoli International Airport in southern Tripoli.
11 September – 17 September: Germany to host conference on Libya
On 11 September, Germany’s ambassador to Libya announced that Germany would host a conference on Libya in conjunction with the UN as a follow on to this year’s General Assembly discussions. On 15 September, the UK appointed Nicholas Hopton as its new chargé d’affaires.