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 — 9 May 2016
ISIS has fully withdrawn from Derna after a year of intense battles with the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council and the Libyan National Army (LNA), who had forged a tenuous alliance against ISIS. This is a real victory for non-ISIS jihadi actors and the LNA. In fact, Derna represents the only successful result by a local […]
Anti — 9 May 2016
Three separate operations rooms to combat ISIS were established last week. It is quite clear that each actor wishes to control the operation to liberate Sirte, rather than genuinely cooperate with its adversaries. On 5 May, the Presidential Council issued its first resolution, establishing a special operations room for military operations against ISIS in the […]
5 May 2016 ISIS in Action
In Sirte, ISIS is taking unprecedented measures as the buildup of rival Libyan forces towards a battle in Sirte is almost complete. ISIS is reported to have executed, by firing squad an army captain, named as Ahnaish Qaddafi, and two other soldiers, both bothers, as it tries to control public dissent in the town before […]
5 May 2016 Western Response
During a Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing on 28 April, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Joseph Dunford said the US has moved surveillance drones into Libyan airspace to gather intelligence and to prepare for the potential of additional airstrikes against ISIS. At a press conference on 3 May, Dunford also said that US AFRICOM […]
5 May 2016 Other Jihadi Actors
Non-State actors in Benghazi continue to battle with LNA forces in Benghazi, although they have now been pushed and cornered to a limited are of twenty five squared km of land in Guwarsha and Ganfuda, according to the LNA spokesperson on 3 May. Ansar Al Sharia and Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council (BRSC) media arms continue […]
5 May 2016 Anti-ISIS Coalition
The battle to liberate Sirte from IS was long seen by supporters of the UN deal as the national unity project gelling the rival actors into an internationally supported, locally led anti-ISIS coalition. However current realities appear to paint a different picture. Over the last week, political divisions are shaping the battle as a competitive […]
Action — 27 April 2016
ISIS withdrew from Derna on 20 April after intense fighting with the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC), and their Libyan National Army (LNA) allies, just days before. Sources in Derna report that ISIS retreated after their commanders issued orders to fall back to Sirte. The consolidation of ISIS forces in Sirte could mean that the […]
Other — 27 April 2016
The recent gains of the Libyan National Army (LNA) in Benghazi have put significant pressure on jihadi actors in the city, including Ansar Al Sharia (AAS) and the Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council (BRSC). A new video statement issued by BRSC leader Wisam Bin Hamid on 24 April attempted to motivate the BRSC’s supporters. However, the […]
Western — 27 April 2016
UN Special Envoy Martin Kobler called for western forces to help combat ISIS in partnership with the Government of National Accord (GNA). Kobler said foreign powers should offer training and military support, combined with an end to the UN arms embargo. “The Daesh expansion can only be stopped militarily,” he said. “There is a consensus […]