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.
5 – 11 June: Death toll of Tripoli clashes rises to more than 650
On 9 June, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported 653 people have been killed so far as a result of the clashes in Tripoli. On 5 and 6 June, the LNA launched airstrikes targeting the military section of Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport.
29 May – 4 June: ISIS attacks LNA checkpoint in Fuqaha area
On 27 May, Misrata security forces undertook a raid in Abu Grein, arresting alleged ISIS supporter Faris Belhaj. On 28 May, the Misratan Central Counter-Terrorism Force arrested seven alleged ISIS members in Abu Grein. On 28 May, ISIS was observed south of Sirte. On 30 May, ISIS published a second set of “Diary of a Mujahedeen” photos. On 3 June, ISIS claimed to have attacked the LNA) Checkpoint 400 in the Fuqaha area. On 3 June, ISIS claimed responsibility for the two vehicle-borne IEDs attacks in Derna conducted on 2 June.
29 May – 4 June: Hisham al-Ashmawy handed over to Egyptian authorities
On 28 May, the LNA transferred former Egyptian Special Forces officer turned Egyptian jihadist, Hisham al-Ashmawy, over to Egyptian authorities. On 30 May, alleged member of the Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries Abdel Salam Abou Rzaiza was killed in southern Tripoli. On 30 May, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated near the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) headquarters in Derna, without any casualties reported. On 2 June, two vehicle-borne IEDs targeting the LNA’s Awilat al-Dam and Omar al-Mukhtar Operations Room headquarters left as many as 18 people injured.
29 May – 4 June: US embassy Charge d’Affaires “deeply concerned” about the shelling of the NOC clinic
On 31 May, the Tripoli-based US embassy Charge d’Affaires issued a statement, saying the US is “deeply concerned” about the shelling of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) clinic in Tripoli. On 3 June, NOC chairman, Mustafa Sanallah met with various senior European Union (EU) diplomats in Tripoli.
29 May – 4 June: WHO states 607 people have been killed in Tripoli since 4 April
On 3 June, the WHO stated that 607 people have been killed in Tripoli since 4 April. On 3 June, Fayez al-Serraj claimed forces aligned to the GNA had made advances on all fronts against the LNA. On 2 June, the spokesman for the LNA claimed the LNA had “thwarted all counter-attack attempts carried out by the so-called GNA militias.” On 1 June, the GNA’s Western Military Region spokesperson stated that its forces were undertaking a new tactic. On 1 June, the head of the GNA’s Naval Forces dismissed the suggestion that the western maritime area was a military zone.
22 May – 28 May: GNA claim to have arrested the head of ISIS-Libya’s religious police
On 23 May, ISIS released its al-Naba newsletter no 183 that featured a report on the group’s raid on LNA forces near Zilla. On 26 May, the LNA claimed it conducted an airstrike on an alleged ISIS armed convoy. On 26 May, the GNA reported they had arrested the alleged head of ISIS’ Religious Police.
22 May – 28 May: Ansar al-Sharia linked fighter connected to 2012 US Consulate attack killed in Tripoli
On 24 May, Libyan National Army forces killed Mohamed Mohamed Mahmoud Bin Dardaf, also known as “Al-Babour” in the al-Naqleya district of Tripoli. A former prisoner in the Abu Salim prison, Dardaf has been linked to the Raf Allah al-Shati Brigade and Ansar al-Sharia in Benghazi.
22 May – 28 May: Haftar meets with Macron
On 22 May, the head of the LNA Khalifa Haftar met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. On 23 May, the head of the GNA, Fayez al-Serraj, met with Algerian interim President, Abdelkader Bensalah, in Algiers. On 22 May, Serraj held a meeting with Tunisian President, Beji Caid Essebsi, to discuss the current crisis in Libya.
22 May – 28 May: WHO data indicates over 550 people killed since the start of the Tripoli clashes
On 27 May, the WHO stated that 562 people have been killed since the LNA launched its assault on Tripoli on 4 April. On 27 May, the GNA-aligned Hatteen Brigade deployed from Misrata to Tripoli. On 25 May, the LNA’s Western Region Operations Room Commander, Major General Abdussalam al-Hassi, stated that LNA forces had made significant advances in southern Tripoli.