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.
Other 13 Sept 16
Fighting between the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC) and the LNA in Derna has intensified this week with several clashes taking place in and around the city. In Tripoli, tensions between pro-GNA and anti-GNA militias appears to be growing, with two car explosions taking place on 8 September near key GNA facilities.
ANTI 13 Sept 16
On 11 September, General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) announced and launched a secretive military operation named Sudden Lightening, and by 12 September the LNA had taken full military control of the Oil Crescent. Ras Lanuf, Sidra and Zuetina oil ports were wrested away from Ibrahim Jadhran’s Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), and are now under control of the House of Representatives-aligned (HoR) LNA.
Action 5 Sept 16
The Misratan-led Al-Bunyan Al-Marsus forces are now very close to completely defeating ISIS in Sirte. The ISIS HQ in Sirte has been taken and was visited last week by the PM Fayez Al Serraj and some members of the GNA Presidential Council.
Western 5 Sept 16
President Obama has extended the US military campaign in Sirte for an additional 30 days, while European nations continue to extend support for the Libyan Political Agreement.
Other 5 Sept 16
In Derna, tensions between the Libyan National Army and jihadist forces are growing, with jihadist fighters attempting to launch a botched suicide attack against the LNA last week. There are reports of jihadist fighters from the Benghazi Defence Brigades tricking into Tripoli in anticipation of GNA fighters returning to the capital following the imminent defeat of ISIS in Sirte.
Anti 5 Sept 16
The political process in Libya is headed towards a new stage of dysfunction. The Presidential Council (PC) has not yet agreed a new ministerial list for the Government of National Accord (GNA), and fresh divisions are emerging within the House of Representatives (HoR).
Action — 29 August 2016
In Sirte, fighting halted last week but resumed fiercely on 27 August. The break in the fighting was reportedly to allow wives and children of ISIS fighters to exit the conflict zone towards the southwest, though there is no evidence confirming this actually took place. It is likely that key ISIS commanders will have taken advantage of this lull in fighting to escape to the south, meaning the destruction of ISIS in Sirte will not mean the eradication of ISIS in Libya… On 28 August, Bunyan Marsus (BM) fighters aligned with the Government of National Accord (GNA) closed in on ISIS-held districts 1 and 3 of Sirte. At least 35 were killed and more than 180 injured as a result of fierce fighting and reportedly 14 attempted SVBIED attacks by ISIS.
Anti — 29 August 2016
At the moment of partial victory in Sirte, various pillars that should make up the anti-ISIS coalition are feuding with each other. The House of Representatives (HoR) has rejected the Government of National Accord, while the Libyan National Army (LNA) and Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) are facing increasing tension over Zuetina in the oil crescent, and various interests are preventing oil production in order to seek their own demands.
Other — 29 August 2016
In Benghazi, conflict continues between the Libya National Army (LNA) and the coalition of ISIS and Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council. Fighting intensified in parts of Guwarsha and Ganfuda throughout last week, as jihadists still manage to launch suicide attacks and mortar fire on advancing LNA units… On 28 August, jihadist media outlets released a video showing the recovery of bodies of children killed on 27 August in Ganfuda allegedly by French airstrikes. Families and supporters of jihadists held demonstrations in Tripoli on 29 August in front of the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Abu Setta Naval Base in Tripoli condemning the attacks and calling for humanitarian assistance of the families trapped in the war-zone.