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.
22-28 Nov: LNA Hits Derna With More Airstrikes
On 27 November, the LNA conducted an airstrike on DMSC targets in al-Dahra al-Hamar area, south of Derna. On 23 November, a mutiny inside a Misratan prison among Islamist hardliners led to four prisoners fleeing, with two later killed in a faceoff with prison guards.
22-28 Nov: AFRICOM Confirms 2 US Airstrikes Near Fuqaha
AFRICOM confirmed that US forces conducted two airstrikes against ISIS targets near Fuqaha on 17 and 19 November. On 22 November, the Egyptian air force said that it destroyed 10 vehicles attempting to smuggle arms and ammunition through Libya’s western border into Egypt. The Anti Terror Quartet countries added more Libyan nationals to its ‘terrorist’ list.
22-28 Nov: HoR Approves LPA Amendments
On 20 November, the HoR voted to approve the proposed amendments to the 2015 Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). On 23 November, the HCS President Swehli issued a statement rejecting the HoR vote. On 27 November, UN Envoy Salame began a whirlwind tour of Libya visiting Tripoli, Misrata and he plans to visit Benghazi on 29 November.
15-21 Nov: LNA Planes and US Drones Launch Airstrikes Against ISIS South of Sirte
On 15 November, the Libyan National Army (LNA) conducted two airstrikes against an ISIS target in the desert 90km south of Harawah, southeast of Sirte. On 17 November, the US reportedly conducted a drone strike against ISIS targets in the desert south of Sirte, reportedly with success, but no information has yet been officially released.
15-21 Nov: LNA Launch Airstrikes On Derna While Egypt Says Attackers in Wahat were Trained in Derna
On 18 November, the LNA conducted two airstrikes against DMSC targets in al-Dahra al-Hamar area, south of Derna. On 16 November, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior said that the perpetrators of an attack against Egyptian police forces in the Wahat area in Egypt on 20 October ,were trained in Derna. On 14 November, the Misrata local attorney released a number of high profile fighters with suspected links to extremist groups, on the grounds of illegal arrest procedures.
15-21 Nov: Serraj Asks US Deputy Secretary To Help To “Sufficiently” Arm Libya’s Anti-Terror Groups
On 18 November, the head of the GNA, Fayez al-Serraj, held a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan in Libya. During the meeting Serraj requested the US continue supporting Libya by helping to “sufficiently” arm its anti-terror organizations. Salame said joint tribunals may be one solution to address lawlessness and impunity in Libya.
15-21 Nov: Salame Tells UNSC That Political Process Is On Track Despite Criticism From Swehli and HoR Disruptions
The UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame made a case to the UN Security Council on 15 November that the Libyan political process was on track. However, President of the HCS Abdurrahman al-Swehli criticised Salame for ‘ignoring’ consensus and ‘partnership’. On 19 November, a delegation of 29 HoR members was not allowed to land in Tubruq airport. The delegation was reportedly intending to vote on the new LPA amendment.
8 – 14 Nov: ISIS Establishes Checkpoints South of Sirte and Claims To Have Repelled LNA attack
ISIS established temporary checkpoints 70 km south of Sirte on the road to Waddan and also near Bohadi village in the same district, on the 8 and 13 November respectively. ISIS’s claims its fighters repelled an attack by the LNA in Cyrenaica on 2 November.
8 – 14 Nov: LNA Announces Victory over Jihadists in Central Benghazi
On 9 November, the LNA claimed complete control of Sidi Khribesh district of Benghazi. The LNA reportedly defeated the remnants of the jihadist coalition hiding there. On 7 November, the death of BRSC member Mohammed Bakr al-Yedri, known as ‘al-Nahla’ led to protests in Misrata.