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.
9 May – 15 May: Egypt foils “infiltration” attempt while UK issues formal apology for an extradition to Libya
On 10 May, the Egyptian army announced it had foiled an “infiltration attempt” across its western border with Libya after reportedly destroying 4 vehicles. This week the UK issued a formal apology for extraditing Abdul Hakim Belhadj, a former leader of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group and a key Feb17 military commander, to Qadhafi before the 2011 revolution.
9 May – 15 May: PC expand powers of Rada while fighting continues in southern Libya
On 11 May, the Presidential Council (PC) in Tripoli announced a decree that would significantly expand the powers of the Special Deterrent Forces (Rada). The GNA’s MoI established a new force called the ‘Special Operations Force’ (SOF). On 11 May, the Libyan Air Force had conducted strikes on fuel smugglers sites on the Libyan-Tunisian border. On 12 May, Tebu fighters managed to advance and take control of vital locations in south Sebha from their rivals the Awlad Suliman.
2 May – 8 May: ISIS fighters attack HNEC in Tripoli and LNA checkpoints in the Oil Crescent
On 2 May, Islamic State fighters attacked the HNEC building in the Ghout al-Shaal area of Tripoli. As many as 16 people were killed and more than 19 were injured. On 5 May, ISIS claimed its fighters undertook two attacks on the LNA in the Wahat province in late April. On 8 May, ISIS undertook an SVBIED attack on an LNA controlled checkpoint near Bin Jawwad 70 km from Ras Lanuf, killing two and injuring four.
2 May – 8 May: Former leader of BRSC eulogized after official announcement of his death
On 1 May, factions in Misrata eulogised the former leader of the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council (BRSC), Wissam Bin Hamid, after news of his death was officially announced by his family. He was reportedly killed on 10 December 10, 2016.
2 May – 8 May: Russia holds separate meetings with GNA and LNA senior officials
On 4 May, Russia’s MoD, Sergey Shoigu, held a video-conference talk with LNA head Khalifa Haftar. The day before, on 3 May, GNA Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Siala, held talks with Russian Minister Foreign Affairs Deputy Mikhail Bogdanov and Russia’s Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev in Moscow.
2 May – 8 May: LNA begin campaign for ‘liberation’ of Derna while they hold military parade in Benghazi
On 7 May, LNA Commander Khalifa Haftar announced that ‘peace efforts’ with the DMSC, which controls Derna, had failed and that the ‘zero hour’ for the ‘liberation’ of Derna had begun. The LNA has claimed that it has made advancements on all fronts in Derna. On 7 May, 7,000 LNA officers conducted a military parade for the 4th anniversary of “Operation Dignity” at Benghazi’s Benina airbase.
25 Apr – 1 May: Body in an orange jumpsuit found in Sirte with ISIS thought to be responsible for their death
On the 26 April, Sirte security forces found a body in an orange jumpsuit, thought to have been killed by ISIS. It is unclear if the body was from a recent killing or from when ISIS controlled the city up until late 2016.
25 Apr – 1 May: Ansar al-Sharia members allegedly involved in clashes near Derna
On 23 April, reports suggest the al-Qaeda affiliated jihadist group Ansar al-Sharia (AS) were involved in clashes between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC) west of Derna. On 25 April, an alleged ‘extremist cell’ was apprehended in al-Jufrah by LNA-affiliated forces.
25 Apr – 1 May: Foreign support for Libyan elections while US and Libya sign MoI and LoA
On 30 April, the Libya Quartet said it supports Libya holding presidential and parliamentary elections this year. On 29 April, Egypt and France agreed that elections should be held in Libya before the end of 2018. On 27 April, the US and Libya’s GNA signed a Memorandum of Intent for airport security and a Letter of Agreement to support Libyan policing, prisons and justice sector development.