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 – jan 19 2016
Derna Battles between local jihadists forces controlling the city, e.g. the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC) and IS are ongoing. The city is witnessing a heightened sense of alarm after more ISIS incursions were registered inside the western parts of the city. Clashes are intermittent in the southern hills of the Al Fatieh area and […]
Anti-Isis – Jan 19
In Benghazi, the LNA conducted heavy artillery shelling against Sabri, Benghazi on 18 Jan, after the recent assault by ISIS killing 5 LNA soldiers on 17 Jan. LNA Bomb disposal efforts are also ongoing, and the EOD units continue to dismantle aerial bombs to harvest TNT for making their own improvised grenades. In Tripoli, anti-ISIS […]
Action–12 Jan 2016
The Assault on the Oil Crescent – ‘The Battle of Abu Al Mughira’ The 3 day ISIS assault on oil crescent ports last week was successfully thwarted by the Petroleum Facilities Guard forces (PFG) and local volunteers. Nine PFG forces and around 30 IS members were killed in these clashes which destroyed over a billion […]
Western–12 Jan 2016
A high-level meeting was held on 12 January, which included the Italian PM, defense, Intelligence and security ministers, including Italian special forces where Libya was the key agenda item. The meeting may be related to the flash incident in Mellitah complex on 12 January, where gunfire at the complex entrance forced a quick evacuation of […]
Other–12 Jan 2016
Fighting continues uninterrupted in Ajdabiya between the ARSC militants and Haftar’s LNA forces, although it does not appear as if either side has made significant progress. LNA aircraft continued airstrikes in Ajdabiya, specifically targeting the ‘60’ Gate and the ‘industrial complex’. Earlier in the Week, ARSC issued a statement declaring that this entire area is now […]
Anti–12 Jan 2016
Local political conflicts in Libya are slowly transforming from a web of tribal and local militia conflicts, into a more binary conflict between local allies and ISIS. However, the consolidation of these alliances continue to be inhibited by deep political divisions, which have the potential of fragmenting unity against ISIS, fuelling its recruitment and expansion. In […]
Action — 5 Jan 2016
The ISIS campaign to advance from Sirte to the ports in the oil crescent region has entered full swing with the 4 January attack on Sidra terminal. The attackers used two suicide trucks (VBIED’s), one destroying the main checkpoint to the terminal and the other in the airfield strip. The new ISIS offensive seems to […]
Western — 5 Jan 2016
Although ISIS do not control any oil ports yet, new reports suggest that British SAS Special Forces could be preparing to lead an international team to take back control of any oil fields which would fall under ISIS control. At present this seems infeasible, as the international community first needs the Government of National Accord […]
Other — 5 Jan 2016
In Ajdabiya, a statement published by the Ajdabiya Revolutionaries’ Shoura Council (ARSC) on 2 Jan denied that it has defected to IS, after its emir and a dozen of its members published a video last week pledging allegiance to the group last week. The statement said that the group photographed with a black IS banner […]