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.
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.
25 Apr – 1 May: Haftar returns to Libya dismissing reports of his ill health
On 26 April, Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar landed at Benghazi. On 27 April, the Awlad Suliman Tribal Council in Sebha issued a statement welcoming Haftar’s return and declaring loyalty and readiness to support him. On 25 April, a delegation from the city of Zintan paid a return visit to Misrata, where delegates from both cities signed a reconciliation agreement.
18 Apr – 24 Apr: ISIS shoot civilians near the Marada region
On 19 April, civilians were injured in a shooting after they were stopped at an ISIS checkpoint near Marada.
18 Apr – 24 Apr: LNA CSO motorcade attacked by alleged “terrorist sleeper cells”
On 18 April, a motorcade with Libyan National Army (LNA) Military Governor and LNA chief of Staff Abdulrazzaq al-Nadhouri was attacked by alleged “terrorist sleeper cells” using a VBIED as it moved through Sidi Khalifa, north of Benghazi. On 22 April, the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC), which is currently in the control of the city of Derna, released a conciliatory statement calling for an end to the conflict between itself and the LNA.
18 Apr – 24 Apr: US House Foreign Affairs Committee hold a Subcommittee hearing on the status of Libya while Senegal decided to deport two former Guantánamo prison detainees to Libya
US House Foreign Affairs Committee hold a Subcommittee hearing on the status of Libya while Senegal decided to deport two former Guantánamo prison detainees to Libya.