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.
Action — 29 March 2016
ISIS is consolidating its grip on Sirte and the surrounding regions, while executions of members of the large local tribes Furnaj and Gadadafa have continued. ISIS reportedly executed three Libyan National Army soldiers in Sirte on 25 March after they were kidnapped in their hometown of Ajdabiya, while on leave from Benghazi. Another man was […]
Western — 29 March 2016
The Guardian reports that British Special Air Service (SAS) forces have been deployed in Libya since the beginning of the year. This information comes from a leaked memo detailing a confidential briefing given to US congressional leaders in January 2016 by Jordan’s King Abdullah. The memo indicates that US lawmakers were personally briefed about plans […]
Other — 29 March 2016
The Libyan National Army (LNA) continued its assault on areas held by ISIS and the coalition of Islamist militias in Benghazi, including the Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council (BRSC) and Ansar Al Sharia (AAS). Heavy fighting is still taking place near the cement factory in Hawari, where the coalition of militias is putting up intense resistance. […]
Anti — 29 March 2016
Nascent anti-ISIS military alliances in both western and eastern Libyan are fraying. On 28 March, a large block of Misrata’s militias issued a statement in favour of the Government of National Accord (GNA) and said they would prepare to mobilise to Tripoli to help secure the GNA. This block was confronted by another group of […]
Action — 22 March 2016
ISIS continues to keep a tight grip on Sirte despite increasing hardship faced by the city’s population. Basic food and other items are increasingly scarce, while the exodus of Sirte’s residents is ongoing. ISIS has also enforced mandatory Sharia courses and regularly conducted raids on the homes of local dissidents. An ISIS video statement on […]
Western — 22 March 2016
The UK parliament’s foreign affairs select committee asked the government whether it intends to send 1,000 non-combat troops to Libya to train an army capable of driving ISIS from the country. Senior members of the committee said they were told in Tunis that the Italians would provide 5,000 troops and the UK 1,000, with more […]
Other — 22 March 2016
Non-state actors (including ISIS) seemed to focus more on the media and propaganda war over the last week, as opposed to field combat. The media arm of the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC), Al Salsabeel Institution, released a video on 20 March of the interrogation of captured ISIS members. The video revealed the identities of […]
Anti — 22 March 2016
The anti-ISIS coalition in Derna is showing signs of stress. On 21 March, the day after the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC) released a video the interrogation of captured ISIS members, the DMSC executed eight of the detainees. This act has increased tensions between the groups, as well as their supporters, which has been steadily growing […]
Action — 15 March 2016
Sirte On 14 March, ISIS published a video titled ‘Messages to Benghazi’. ISIS filmed the execution of 2 Libyan National Army (LNA) soldiers, while issuing threats against Haftar loyalists in Derna and Benghazi and pledging support for jihadists fighting them. In the 21st weekly issue of the ISIS official magazine, Al Naba, the group published […]