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.
30 May – 5 June: LNA claim to have control of 75 percent of Derna
On 5 June, the Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismari announced that LNA forces had taken control of 75 percent of Derna from the DPF. The day before In a video announcement to the LNA and civilians in Derna, Haftar highlighted to his troops the importance of protecting prisoners of war and warned of the dangers to civilians of Derna in aiding and abetting ‘terrorists”.
30 May – 5 June: Libya, Niger, Sudan, and Chad sign agreement to secure Libya’s southern border
On 31 May, an agreement to secure and control Libya’s southern border was signed by Libya, Niger, Sudan, and Chad in the latter’s capital of N’Djamena. The details of how the agreement will be enacted and how this burden will be shared remains unclear.
30 May – 5 June: LNA repel attack at Teminhent airbase while delegates from Misrata and Tawergha sign a reconciliation and return agreement
On 31 May, an armed group reportedly composed of Tebu and members of the defunct Benghazi Defence Brigades attacked Teminhint airbase controlled by the Libyan National Army (LNA). Reports indicate that the LNA’s 116th Battalion repelled the attack after three hours of fighting. On 3 June, delegates from Misrata and Tawergha signed a reconciliation and return agreement that will see as many as 40,000 Tawerghan internally displaced persons (IDP) return to their homes.
23 May – 29 May: ISIS claim responsibility for attacks in Oil Crescent
On 23 May, ISIS claimed responsibility for the two attacks that occurred in the Oil Crescent on May 22 – a suicide vehicle-borne improved explosive device (SVBIED) targeted the Libyan National Army (LNA) 152 Brigade Gate 60, south east of Ajdabiya, while gunmen attacked an LNA checkpoint north of Awjilah kidnapping two guards.
23 May – 29 May: LNA campaign against the DPF in Derna continues
The Libyan National Army (LNA) campaign against the Derna Mujahadeen Shura Council (DMSC) – which has now renamed itself the Derna Protection Force (DPF)– continues in Derna. On 28 May, the LNA announced that it had taken control of the western entrance of Derna, the industrial area of al-Fatayah, and the areas in and around the al-Katib factory.
23 May – 29 May: Serraj, Haftar, Saleh, and Mishri attend Libya summit in Paris
On 29 May, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a Libya summit where Government of National Accord (GNA) Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj, President of the House of Representatives (HoR) Agilah Saleh, President of the High Council of State (HCS) Khaled Mishri, and General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar agreed to hold ‘credible, peaceful’ parliamentary and presidential elections on 10 December 2018, and to respect the results of the election.
23 May – 29 May: On 24 May VBIED attack in Benghazi kills at least six
On 24 May, a VBIED attack occurred in Benghazi killing at least six people and wounded 22 others. The motives and the perpetrators remain unknown. On 25 May, the commander of the LNA’s 21 Saiqa Brigade claimed to have survived an assassination attempt in Benghazi. On 28 May, the LNA Air force claim to have struck multiple “Chadian militias” in southern Libya.
9 May – 15 May: ISIS fighters observed near Sirte while Coptic Christians killed by ISIS returned to Egypt
On 11 May, local sources from Sirte reported that ISIS fighters were seen moving in the valleys, southeast of the city. On 14 May, 20 Egyptian Coptic Christian killed by ISIS in 2015 near Sirte were returned back to Egypt.
9 May – 15 May: DMSC rebrands itself as ‘the Derna Protection Force’
On 12 May, the DMSC announced it was dissolving itself and changing its name to ‘the Derna Protection Force’. On 15 May, the LNA’s Omar Mukhtar Operations Room claimed to have completely captured al-Hila, south of Derna, as a part of on going operations to take the city from the DMSC.