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.
Anti — 15 Dec 2015
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced on 14 Dec that the Islamic State group was spreading from its stronghold on the Libyan coast to the interior of the country with the aim of getting access to oil wells.
Action — 7 Dec 2015
In Tripoli, pro-GNC militias captured an alleged member of ISIS last week. The captive, a Tunisian, detailed ISIS activities throughout Libya, implicating Murad Al-Gumati, leading to his murder by the Tripoli Rada militia (AKA special deterrence forces or – قوة الردع الخاصة). The incident follows on last week’s assault on an official of the religious affairs ministry who was accused of having ISIS affiliations. Although the Rada enjoys popularity in the capital as a keeper of law and order (such as these concepts are understood in Libya) the Salafist affiliation of Rada’s commander, Abdulraouf Kara, may have encouraged him to provoke a “black-on-black” fight between Islamist militias that are pro and anti-ISIS.
Western — 7 Dec 2015
This week, both the Italian and French PMs explicitly dismissed the notion of boots-on-the-ground military intervention against ISIS in Libya. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also ruled out such an intervention…. France confirmed that it carried out ISR flights over Sirte on 20 and 21 November, aimed at collecting intelligence on ISIS movements.
Other — 7 Dec 2015
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) bragged about their control of central Derna and released a statement eulogizing the emir of Ansar Al Sharia’s Derna branch, Hamid al-Sha’iri. According to it Al-Sha’iri and his men were killed last week “as a result of a treacherous ambush laid by the soldiers of the taghut [Haftar].” […]
Anti — 7 Dec 2016
Al-Hassi was previously the commander of LNA operations in Derna where he has performed well and succeeded in getting anti-ISIS Islamist militias to work together with anti-Islamist Haftar forces. In short, Hassi represents the “broad Mosque” model that is needed to forge any feasible anti-ISIS coaltion in Benghazi.
Action – 23 November 2015
IS assassinated two more security officers Ajdabiya, bringing the number killed this month to twelve. The killings reinforce the local and tribal divisions in the Oil Crescent and threaten serious regional instability.
Western – 23 November 2015
There was no discernable Western response to the ISIS threat in Libya this week.
Other – 23 November 2015
The Ajdabiya Revolutionaries’ Shoura Council controls significant territory and poses a threat to the LNA.
Anti – 23 November 2015
The wave of assassinations in Ajdabiya is stoking tensions between the Libyan National Army and other factions there.