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.
24 April – 1 May: Baghdadi sees Africa as promising territory for ISIS and praises Fuqaha attack
On 29 April, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appeared in a video for the first time in five years. In his message, Baghdadi said that he sees Africa as an important location for the group’s future operations. He said that ISIS could be effective in Libya despite losing Sirte in 2016. He called on ISIS fighters in Libya to carry out a war of attrition and praised the recent ISIS attacks against the town of Fuqaha, in Libya’s central region, saying they were in revenge for ISIS’s defeat in al-Baghuz, Syria.
24 April – 1 May: GNA suspends Abedi extradition while LNA claims it is fighting al-Qaeda in Tripoli
On 26 April, Government of National Accord (GNA) Minister of Interior, Fathi Bashaagha, in an interview with the BBC, said that plans to extradite British national Hashem Abedi to the UK had been delayed due to the fighting in Tripoli. Hashem is the brother of Salman Abedi, who blew himself up at a concert in Manchester in May 2017, killing 22 people. The UK wants to extradite its citizen on charges of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion.
24 April – 1 May: Salame calls for ceasefire and warns Haftar is no democrat
On 24 April, UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame met with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Rome. Salame called for Italy and all UN member states to push for a ceasefire and the return to dialogue, stressing that dialogue “is the only possible way to avoid the catastrophe.” He added that the National Conference, although impossible at present, remains essential in the long run. On 29 April, during a visit to Paris, Salame openly criticised Haftar. He is quoted as saying: “He is no Abraham Lincoln, he is no big democrat … Seeing him act, we can be worried about his methods because where he is governing, he doesn’t govern softly, but with an iron fist.”
24 – 30 April: Airstrikes and shelling in residential areas of southern Tripoli
Last week, armed clashes, shelling and airstrikes continued along the front lines in southern Tripoli between Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) forces and forces aligned to the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, with both sides frequently losing and gaining territory in southern Tripoli. Indiscriminate shelling/rocket attacks on residential areas have also continued. According to the UN, as of 28 April, at least 41,000 people have been displaced in Tripoli, nearly 300 people killed and thousands injured. The levels of disinformation and propaganda remain extremely high on all sides.
17 April – 23 April: ISIS publish photos and video of alleged attack on LNA
On 21 April, ISIS Fezzan Branch published a series of photos and a short video of an alleged attack on LNA forces south of Sebha. This follows the publication of ISIS Naba no. 178 on 18 April, which included details of ISIS’ assault on Ghadduwa.
17 April – 23 April: Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council members allegedly participating in Tripoli clashes
On 21 April, unconfirmed reports suggested some Misratan forces had withdrawn their troops from Tripoli following a breakdown in relations with Tajoura’s 33 Infantry Brigade. The point of contention was the alleged presence of Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council members within their forces.
17 April – 23 April: Trump and Haftar discuss “shared vision for Libya”
On 15 April, US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar. On 22 April, GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj played down the conversation between Haftar and Trump, saying that while he hadn’t spoken to Trump his engagement with the US administration suggested they opposed his military actions.
17 April – 23 April: LNA claims it will intensify assault on Tripoli
On 22 April, the Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman, Ahmed al-Mismari, claimed the LNA would intensify its assault on Tripoli. On 22 April, Government of National Accord (GNA) Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj stated he wouldn’t negotiate with Khalifa Haftar until his forces have withdrawn from the capital.
10 April – 16 April: GNA-aligned forces arrest ISIS member in Tripoli
On 13 April, the GNA Ministry of Interior announce the arrest of ISIS member Anas Abrik Zouki. On 11 April, ISIS claim to have killed six LNA fighters in Ghadduwa, in south-western Libya. On 11 April, ISIS released its Naba newsletter no. 177 , which included details on the group’s recent attacks on Fuqaha and Ghadduwa.