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.
Turkey Reopens Embassy in Tripoli
On 30 January, Turkey became the second country to reopen its embassy in Tripoli saying it would “support the territorial integrity and national unity of brotherly Libya”, while Egypt continues its diplomatic efforts to bring rival Libyan factions together in negotiations.
LNA Declares Full Control of Ganfuda, Benghazi
On 25 January, the LNA declared it had taken full control of Ganfuda, with only a few jihadi fighters remaining in the 12 Flats area. The same day, a VBEID killed 4 people in downtown Benghazi. The LNA also continued airstrikes against the DMSC in Derna.
Libya Political Dialogue Agrees Amendments to LPA
On 24 January, the Libyan Political Dialogue Group signed an agreement accepting six changes to the LPA, including reducing the PC membership to three and creating a new council to assume the powers of the Supreme Commander of the Libyan Army.
GNA MoD Claims 2500 ISIS Bodies Collected in Sirte
On 16 January, the GNA’s MoD spokesperson, announced that more than 2,500 bodies of ISIS fighters had been collected from Sirte.On 17 January, LNA forces in Nawfaliyah, a town west of Sirte, captured Emhemmed Emrajaa al-Hamali, a senior Libyan ISIS commander from Sirte. Al-Hamali was taken by the LNA to Grenada prison in Benghazi.
US Airstrikes Kill ISIS Fighters Near Sirte
On 19 January, American B-2 stealth bombers destroyed two ISIS camps approximately 44 km south-west of Sirte, dropping more than 100 precision-guided bombs on the targets. On 21 January, a VBIED exploded near the Italian embassy in Tripoli.
LNA Takes Over Abu Saneeb, Re-Starts Derna Offensive
On 16 January, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA)’s Operation Dignity command centre, Brig Abdussalam al-Hassi, announced the full takeover of Abu Saneeb area of Benghazi from the coalition of jihadis after the LNA continued its advance in Abu Saneeb with air support. LNA operations also resumed last week with airstrikes against the Derna Shura Mujahedeen Council (DMSC).
Clashes Around Ministry of Labour Building in Tripoli
In Tripoli, sporadic clashes took place last week between various militias affiliated with the Government of National Accord (GNA), and other hard-line anti-Haftar, Islamist militias nominally loyal to Khalifa al-Ghwell. Ghniwa’s forces attempted to retake control of the Ministry of Labor buildings at Hadba near the Military Academy buildings. The MoL building was taken over by al-Ghwell’s militias last week in an attempted ‘coup’.
BRSC Says ISIS Breakout from Ganfuda a ‘Betrayal’
On 10 January, the BRSC said that the ISIS breakout from the Benghazi areas of Sabri and Ganfuda on 5 January caused ‘some’ disarray in their ranks, calling the ISIS withdrawal a ‘betrayal’. The BRSC and their supporters are facing a growing scandal over their exposed collaboration with ISIS.
Haftar Talks With Russian MoD Aboard Aircraft Carrier
On 11 January, Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), was formally received aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s only aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean. On 14 January, Haftar summoned the senior LNA commanders from the east, west and south of Libya for a high-level meeting with HoR President.