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.
3 – 9 Jan: Serraj and Salame meet while Germany destroys Qadhafi’s chemical weapons
On 8 January, Government of National Accord (GNA) head Fayez al-Serraj met with UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame in Tripoli to discuss the latest political developments in Libya. On 5 January, the German Foreign and Defense Ministries completed the destruction of components from Muammar al-Qadhafi’s chemicals weapons programme.
3 – 9 Jan: GNA aligned forces trigger clashes near Zuwara and Garabulli
GNA aligned forces triggered clashes with local militias near Zuwara’s Abu Kammash area on 5-6 January. The clashes ended on 8 January after an agreement was made over security arrangements for control of the land border and Zuwara port. On 6 January, the GNA affiliated ‘Kani brigade’ took control of the Garabulli coastal checkpoint before withdrawing.
Dec 27 – 2 Jan: GNA affiliated forces continue to remove ISIS IEDs from Sirte
Photos of GNA affiliated forces show the continual removal of ISIS IEDs from the Sirte area, while there are reports of ISIS-sympathetic telegram accounts accusing the BRSC of having a deal with the Libyan National Army.
Dec 27 – 2 Jan: BRSC fighters flee from Benghazi to Derna following purge by LNA
On 28 December, the Libyan National Army announced the full purge of jihadist forces from Benghazi – six months after the LNA initially declared the city liberated. The following day, Derna reportedly received some of the fleeing BRSC-linked fighters.
Dec 27 – 2 Jan: Salame will not engage with Saif al-Islam
On 28 December, the UN envoy Ghassan Salame said he would not enter any dialogue with Saif al-Islam Qadhafi due to the ICC warrant against him.
Dec 27 – 2 Jan: LNA commits to elections provided HNEC restructured
On 27 December, the Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesperson Ahmed Mismari reaffirmed the LNA’s commitment to elections provided HNEC is restructured. The following day Haftar insisted that if elections don’t come to pass there is no way ‘but authorisation’ of the LNA to take power.
19 – 26 Dec: Mass grave uncovered near Sirte thought to contain ISIS fighters
On 24 December, a mass gave thought to contain the bodies of as many as twenty ISIS fighters was uncovered in the al-Manara neighborhood of Sirte following a report from a local resident. Al-Manara saw the most intense clashes between ISIS and the al-Bunyan al-Marsous forces prior to the former’s defeat in the city in […]
IED attack on the Zagout-Sidra oil pipeline
On 26 December, unknown attackers caused an explosion on the Zagout-Sidra oil pipeline. The explosion occurred on the pipeline 256km south east of Sidra and 25km north of Marada. The attackers are reported to have arrived at the site in two cars and planted explosives on the pipeline. Muftah Magariaf, the head of the Libyan […]
Growing international criticism of Haftar’s defiance towards the Libyan Political Agreement.
There has been growing international criticism of Libyan National Army general commander Khalifa Haftar following his speech on 17 December where he declared the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) and its institutions expired. On 21 December, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian visited Haftar and had ‘frank discussions’ for an hour, after which he told press […]