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.
19 June – 25 June: Turkish President confirms military cooperation agreement with Libya
On 20 June, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirms Turkey is providing GNA with military equipment. On 22 June, UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame met with Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi.
19 June – 25 June: Haftar lays out post-conflict strategy
On 18 June, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that since the clashes began in early April, 691 people have died, including 41 civilians. On 21 June, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar, gave an interview laying out his post-conflict strategy.
12 June – 18 June: LNA and ISIS clash over two days near Harouj
On 17 June, LNA forces claimed they observed ISIS elements between Sirte and Saddada. On 12, 14 and 15 June, clashes between LNA and ISIS fighters occurred in the Harouj mountains. On 14 June, ISIS released an Amaq report claiming to have killed fifty LNA fighters. On 15 June, ISIS claimed IED attack targeting LNA forces near Tmassah. On 11 June, security forces stopped two migrants on suspicion of being members of ISIS. On 8 June, the Algerian army fired upon a suspected ISIS armed group as they approached the boarder.
12 June – 18 June: Libyan found guilty on two terrorism-related charges in US court
On 13 June, a jury in a federal court in Washington found Mustafa al-Imam guilty on two terrorism-related charges in relation to the attack on a US diplomatic compound in Benghazi in 2012.
12 June – 18 June: Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia call for an end to the fighting in Tripoli
On 12 June, foreign ministers from Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia held a meeting where they called for all belligerents involved in the fighting in Tripoli to stop and return to a political solution. On 13 June, Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi met eastern-based parallel House of Representative Speaker Aguila Saleh in Egypt.
12 June – 18 June: NOC claims “military presence” at Ras Lanuf oil terminal
On 13 June, the NOC released a statement expressing its concern over “an increased military presence” at its Ras Lanuf oil terminal. On 14 June, the RASCO chairman issued a statement denying the NOC’s claims. On 16 June, the GNA Prime Minister, Fayez al-Serraj, announced a new peace plan initiative, under the auspices of the UN.
5 – 11 June: ISIS suspected of being involved in IED attack targeting police in Derna
On 3 June, ISIS is suspected of undertaking an attack on the al-Fuqaha gate. On 4 June, ISIS is suspected of being involved in an IED attack in Derna. On 8 June, BAM spokesperson stated that ISIS sleeper cells were observed in the Garabulli district east of Tripoli. On 10 June, a suspected ISIS member was arrested in the Shabia area of Sirte. On 9 June, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian suggested that ISIS was resurgent in the Fezzan.
5 – 11 June: Three-year sentence for “Returnees from Libya” case
On 10 June, an Egyptian court sentenced two men to three years in jail in what has been dubbed the “Returnees from Libya” case, with the convicted accused of participating in terrorism outside of Egypt.
5 – 11 June: US House of Representatives members call on White House to clarify its position on Libya
On 7 June, a bipartisan group of eight members of the US House of Representatives sent an open letter to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asking the White House to clarify its Libya position. On 10 June, the UNSC unanimously extended authorisation for vessels suspected of carrying arms to Libya to be intercepted.