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.
7 – 13 Mar: Total number of US air strikes on ISIS in Libya increases while Egypt foils an infiltration at its western border with Libya
On 8 March, a spokesman for the U.S. African Command (AFRICOM), Major Karl J. Wiest, stated that an additional four airstrikes had been carried out against IS fighters in Libya over the last 14 months. On 11 March, the Egyptian army announced it had foiled another attempt to “infiltrate” its western border with Libya after reportedly destroying 5 vehicles loaded with arms and ammunition on the Libyan border.
7 – 13 Mar: Clashes continue in Sebha as LNA and GNA compete to ‘solve’ crisis in the South
On 13 March, clashes continued in Sebha between Tebu and Awlad Suliman militias. On 12 March, UN envoy Ghassan Salame met with a delegation from southern Libya in Tripoli to explore ways of resolving the violence in southern Libya. On 9 March the LNA declared that all “Africans from neighbouring countries” had to leave Libya by 17 March or they would be expelled by force.
28 Feb – 6 Mar: American accused of trying to enter Libya to join ISIS arrested
On 28 February, US law enforcement officials stated that twenty year old Bernard Raymond Augustine from Keyes in the US, accused of trying to enter Libya to join ISIS, had been arrested. Augustine had been returned to the US from Tunisia after being first arrested in Tunisia in 2016.
28 Feb – 6 Mar: Four injured by artillery shelling in Derna
On 4 March, four people were allegedly injured by artillery shelling from the LNA 321 artillery battalion on al-Zintan neighbourhood near the western entrance of Derna. The following day the UN Secretary-General envoy, Ghassan Salame held a meeting in Tripoli with a delegation from Derna to discuss the evolving humanitarian situation in the city.
28 Feb – 6 Mar: Egypt foil “infiltration attempt” across its western border with Libya
On 4 March, the Egyptian army announced it had foiled an “infiltration attempt” across its western border with Libya after reportedly destroying 11 vehicles loaded with arms and ammunition on the Libyan border.
28 Feb – 6 Mar: Clashes between Tebu and Awlad Suliman in Sebha continue
On 6 March, local sources reported clashes between Tebu and Awlad Suliman militias involving tanks in the Nasriya area of Sebha, north of the airport. Fighting between the two groups has also intensified in the Tayuri district of Sebha, an area populated with Tebu and Tuareg groups.
21 – 27 Feb: ISIS undertake a VBIED attack on an LNA checkpoint near Waddan
On 21 February, at 9:15 in the morning, an ISIS Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) drove into the LNA 127 infantry battalion at a checkpoint near Waddan in the Jufra district. The attack killed three LNA fighters and wounding two more.
21 – 27 Feb: Interpol issue Red Notice for Mahmoud al-Werfalli
On 25 February, Interpol issued a Red Notice for Mahmoud al-Werfalli, the field commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Special Forces Saiqa division, for war crimes relating to summary executions of LNA prisoners accused of being jihadists.
21 – 27 Feb: US imposes sanction and signs MoU with GNA
On 26 February, the US imposed sanctions on several Libyan, Maltese and Egyptian firms, traders and ships reportedly participating in oil smuggling. On 23 February, the US and GNA signed an agreement to restrict the import of Libyan cultural property to the US.