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.
11 July – 17 July: EU’s foreign policy head visits Tripoli
On 14 July, Federica Mogherini, the EU’s foreign policy head, visited Tripoli to reestablish the EU’s diplomatic presence in Libya. In a statement, Mogherini restated the EU’s support for the UN initiative for elections and discussed ways to secure Libya’s land borders and train its coast guard.
11 July – 17 July: Haftar hands oil ports back to Tripoli NOC
On 10 July, Khalifa Haftar ordered all LNA-affiliated Petroleum Facilities Guards to allow oil ports under their control to resume exports under the authority of the Tripoli-based NOC and its subsidiaries. On 11 July, the NOC lifted force majeure on all of the Oil Crescent ports and Tobruq’s Hariga port.
4 July – 10 July: ISIS eastern branch, Wilayat Barqah, release a new video
On 4 July, ISIS branch in eastern Libya, known as Wilayat Barqah, released a new video titled “Point of Death” documenting its recent activity in Libya. On 6 July, ISIS published a photo showing the captivity of LNA fighters who had been abducted just over a week before.
4 July – 10 July: Photos emerge of prominent al-Qaeda figure in Derna
Last week, the Libyan National Army’s 101 Brigade published photos that circulated on social media of senior al-Qaeda leader Sufiyan Bin Qammu amongst other al-Qaeda militants in Derna. Qammu is thought to be a prominent al-Qaeda theoretician in Libya and is known within the group as “The Libyan Knight.”
4 July – 10 July: Italy reactivate Qadhafi era “friendship treaty” with Libya
On 7 July, Italy reactivated a Qadhafi era “friendship treaty” with Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) that will see the European country give Libya $5 billion to prevent migrants from traveling over the Mediterranean.
4 July – 10 July: GNA instate Emad Trabelsi as the President of the General Security Directorate
On 6 July, the GNA issued a decree instating the commander of the Zintan Special Operations Force, Emad Trabelsi, as the President of the General Security Directorate. On 7 July, clashes took between Abdelghani al-Kikli aka Ghneiwa forces from Abu Slim and a former militia leader under his command.
27 June – 3 July: Sirte security forces mobile in response to ISIS movements
On 30 June, Sirte security forces declared a state of alert following reports of ISIS movement in the southern part of the city. On 28 June, airstrikes targeting Benghazi Defence Brigade (BDB) and ISIS locations were reported near Bani Walid.
27 June – 3 July: Haftar declares Derna ‘liberated’
On 28 June, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar announced the ‘liberation’ of the city of Derna. Earlier that day the LNA had stated that they had complete control of the city and that Brigadier General Salem al-Rifadi was appointed the head of the Joint Security Operations Room for the city.
27 June – 3 July: Egypt calls for ‘red notice’ on Libyan ISIS members
On 24 June, Egypt’s Prosecutor-General, Nail Sadek, called for a ‘red notice’ to be issued by Interpol for the arrest of three Libyan ISIS members. On 27 June, Libyan national Ahmed Abu Khatallah was sentenced to 22 years in a US federal prison for his role in the 11 September 2012 terrorist attack on the US Special Mission in Benghazi.