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.
20 June – 26 June: Leader of the Derna Protection Forces killed in LNA airstrike
On 25 June, the leader of the Derna Protection Forces (formerly known as the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council), Atiyah al-Shaari, was reportedly killed in a Libyan National Army (LNA) airstrike in downtown Derna.
20 June – 26 June: AFRICOM refutes local claims of civilian casualties from airstrike targeting ISIS
On 20 June, U.S Africa Command (AFRICOM) released a statement refuting local claims of civilian casualties from drone strikes it conducted near Bani Walid on 5 June that killed four ISIS members.
20 June – 26 June: Haftar hands over liberated oil facilities to eastern NOC
On 25 June, the LNA spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismari stated that Khalifa Haftar had ordered that the all ports ‘liberated’ from Ibrahim Jadhran forces on 21 June by the LNA were to be handed over to the Benghazi-based National Oil Corporation, under the auspices of the Bayda-based parallel (interim) government led by Abdullah al-Thinni.
13 June – 19 June: Unconfirmed reports of ISIS fighters spotted near Harawa
On 14 June, unconfirmed reports suggest ISIS and Benghazi Defence Brigade fighters were spotted near the village of Harawa, 50 km east of Sirte. Libyan National Army al-Saiqa Special forces are said to have mobilized to the location in response to the reports.
13 June – 19 June: Ansar al-Sharia commander Safian bin Kamou captured in Derna
On 16 June, the Libyan National Army (LNA) claimed to have captured al-Qaeda linked Ansar al-Sharia commander Safian bin Kamou during a raid in northern Derna. On 14 June, two senior leaders of the Benghazi Defence Brigade (BDB), Ahmad al-Tajouri and Faraj Shaku, were allegedly killed by airstrikes as they moved from Bani Walid to the Oil Crescent.
13 June – 19 June: AFRICOM conducts drone strike killing AQIM member near Bani Walid
On 13 June, U.S Africa Command (AFRICOM), in cooperation with the Government of National Accord (GNA), conducted a drone strike killing an alleged member of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb approximately 50 miles southeast of Bani Walid.
13 June – 19 June: Ibrahim Jadhran attacks and takes control of Sidra and Ras Lanuf oil ports
On 14 June, forces under the command of Ibrahim Jadhran attacked and took control of Sidra and Ras Lanuf oil ports from Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) forces. Large LNA units are currently being deployed to Brega and Ajdabiya for the counter offensive.
6 June – 12 June: ISIS kill two at a checkpoint in Jufra
On 6 June, local sources claim that ISIS fighters established a fake checkpoint between Zillah and Waddan in the Jufra region and fired upon a vehicle killing two civilians. However, in contrast to this version of events, ISIS published a claim stating that its fighters had killed two LNA soldiers during clashes at an LNA checkpoint in the Jufra district.
6 June – 12 June: Derna Mujahadeen Shura Council religious ideologue and alleged al-Qaeda recruiter killed in Derna
On 9 May, one of the Derna Mujahadeen Shura Council’s key religious ideologues with alleged connections to al-Qaeda, Omar Refaair Sorour, was killed during a Libyan National Army (LNA) air strike on a residential area in downtown Derna.