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.
1 August – 7 August: Libya mosques used for al-Qaeda and ISIS recruitment
Ahmed Abdul Karim Hamza, an official with Libya’s National Human Rights Committee, has stated that several mosques through Libya have being used by ISIS and al-Qaeda to radicalize and recruit youths.
1 August – 7 August: South Korea launches naval ship to Libya in “show of force”
On 2 August, South Korean redirected the naval ship “Munmu the Great” from anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden to Libya in order to protect South Korean commercial vessels. This action is thought to be a “show of force” in response to the kidnapping of a Korean technician.
1 August – 7 August: Clashes between militia groups throughout Tripoli
On 1 August, the Special Deterrence Force (Rada) killed a man thought to be from the al-Burga militia in the Tajoura area of Tripoli. On 2 August, forces under Ghneiwa al-Kikli captured a clothes and textile factory in the Al-Hadba al-Badry area of Tripoli. On 31 July and 1 August, a series of clashes occurred between the Surman CID and the al-Nasr militia.
25 July – 31 July: Additional details of ISIS attack on Uqaylah police station emerge
On 28 July, several vehicles belonging to ISIS fighters were observed south of Uqaylah moving to the 103 line towards the Kufra and Jalu region. Additional details have emerged surround ISIS’s attack on the police station in Uqaylah in Eastern Libya on July 24.
25 July – 31 July: Airstrikes targeting Al-Qaeda occur near Ubari
On 25 July, airstrikes are reported to have occurred targeting a house in the Sharib area near Ubari in Southern Libya, containing individuals thought to be affiliated with al-Qaeda.
25 July – 31 July: Italy plans to hold international conference on Libya
On 30 July, Italy’s Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, told reporters following a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump that he would be organizing an international conference to look for ways to stabilise Libya.
25 July – 31 July: LNA and SPF conduct unofficial joint patrols
On 26 July, the first unofficial joint patrol between the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) 128 brigade and the Sirte Protection Force (SPF) was conducted along the Sirte-Jufra road. This region has seen multiple reports of recent of ISIS activity.
18 July – 24 July: ISIS undertakes raid of police station in al-Uqaylah
On 24 July, ISIS fighters raided a police station in al-Uqaylah, west of Brega, destroying at least two vehicles with unconfirmed reports suggesting that multiple officers were killed and at least one was beheaded.
18 July – 24 July: Prominent al-Qaeda linked figures thought amongst DFP remnants in Derna
On 21 July, reports began emerging suggesting that prominent al-Qaeda linked figures Mahfouz Ould al-Walid (Abu Hafs al-Mauritani) and Hisham Ashmawi (Abu Omar al-Muhajir al-Masri) are amongst the Derna Protection Force (DFP) remnants isolated to small pockets of old town Derna by the LNA.