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 — 2 March 2016
The LNA’s ‘Operation Martyr’s Blood’ has demonstrated that there is not much distinction in fact between Ansar Al Sharia (AAS) in Benghazi and the Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council. Wissam Bin Hamid, a known BRSC leader and icon of ‘revolutionaries’ in Benghazi, was shown leading an AAS assault against the LNA raids in the western front […]
Anti — 2 March 2016
Eastern Libya The LNA’s ‘Operation Martyr’s Blood’ has had almost unprecedented success. The breakthrough was facilitated by capturing camps 36 & 319 on 21 February. These camps changed hands at least twice in two months. The last time the LNA was able to make such progress in eastern Benghazi, it was quickly stalled and lost […]
Action — 17 February 2016
ISIS continues to fight for survival in Benghazi and Derna, while consolidating its forces in Sirte and Harwah. As talk of an international campaign to combat ISIS in Libya intensifies, along with the mobilization of Misratan forces, ISIS is preparing itself for a long battle…In Sirte last week, ISIS reportedly declared a state of emergency, recalling forces from Bin Jawad, and vacating seaside homes it had occupied.
Western — 17 February 2016
Despite the inconsistency of the Western community’s position vis-à-vis ISIS in Libya, as well as the faltering Libyan political process, an international bombing campaign of ISIS forces in the country seems a very probable prospect in the near future…Although US Secretary of State John Kerry, downplayed the US role or the intentions of President Barack Obama to intervene militarily in Libya, the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said that Obama is “on the verge of taking action” against ISIS in Libya.
Other — 17 February 2016
A MiG-23 fighter belonging to the LNA was shot down 12 February as it bombed positions of the Mujahedeen Shura Council in Garyunes, northwest of Benghazi…Ansar Al Sharia also issued a statement after conducting an attack on five LNA posts on the western battlefront of Benghazi, publishing photographs of looted vehicles and weapons, abandoned by the retreating LNA units.
Anti — 17 February 2016
Aamaq, one of the ISIS media arms in Sirte, reported on the airstrikes that hit Sirte port on 15 February claiming they were carried out by the Libya Dawn faction from Misrata…In Tripoli, the Special Deterrent Force (SDF) affiliated with the General National Congress announced on 10 February that eight Tunisians were expelled from Libya for suspected ties to ISIS.
Action — 9 Feb 2016
ISIS’s ‘Wilayat Tarabulus’ media arm released pictures of a training ‘camp’ near Sirte named “Abu Hamza Al-Muhajir”. Photos showed approximately 50 members engaged in shooting practice with different assault and mounted weapons in the desert… On 1 February, the oil pipeline between Al Entisar oilfield and Zueitina port exploded, likely the result of an ISIS attack. Additionally, three IEDs were reportedly found in the Abu-Attifel oilfield near the pipeline, indicating the a sustained ISIS campaign against oil infrastructure in the region.
Western — 9 Feb 2016
Days before the Italian president’s visit to the White House on 9 February, US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter reportedly told media that the Italians have indicated that they want the lead in Libya, an impulse the US is willing to support. … Meanwhile Russian media is reporting that Russian Ambassador to Libya Ivan Moltokov has unveiled his country’s intention to fight terrorism, also saying that Russia has approached the UN Security Council with a request to lift arms sanctions against Libya to enable its fight against ISIS.
Other — 9 Feb 2010
In Eastern Libya, in the early hours of Sunday morning 7 February, unidentified aircraft carried out three separate air raids on residential locations in the Bab Tubruq area of Derna, killing civilians and fighters affiliated with the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council (DMSC). The air strikes also hit a hospital, a mosque and a residential flat […]