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.
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.
6 June – 12 June: U.S AFRICOM conducts drone strike on ISIS members near Bani Walid
On 5 June, U.S AFRICOM conducted a drone strike near Eshmikh, 35 km south of Bani Walid, killing four alleged ISIS members. On 6 June, the UN Security Council (UNSC) gathered to discuss the results of the 29 May Paris summit on Libya. On 7 June, the UNSC Libya Sanctions Committee added 6 individuals to their sanctions list.
6 June – 12 June: Operation “Nation Storm” detains four ISIS suspects near Bani Walid
On 9 June, four suspected ISIS fighters were detained as part of the Government of National Accord’s (GNA) operation “Nation Storm.” On 9 May, the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) Operations Commander stated that they intended the Derna siege to end by mid al-Fitr, which is expected to fall on 15 June.
30 May – 5 June: ISIS attack al-Qanan police station south-east of Ajdabiya
On 2 June, ISIS fighters attacked a police station in al-Qanan, 10km south-east of Ajdabiya, killing a civilian and injuring another five. No police were injured or killed despite two police cars being set aflame. The casualties were allegedly a family in a car passing by the raid. A go-pro camera recovered at the scene by the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) 21 Infantry Brigade has shown that the raid involved 8-9 fighters.