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 – 19 January 2015
On Friday 16 January Libya Dawn and Operation Dignity jointly declared a unilateral general ceasefire with immediate effect. As a result the security threat decreased for all of Libya’s ports, except Benghazi and Derna due to Operation Dignity announcement that it will continue to ‘fight extremists’.
Action – 12 January 2015
There was no noticeable change in ISIS activity in Libya this week.
Western – 12 January 2015
Italy’s PM Matteo Renzi opened the door to a UN-sanctioned peacekeeping mission in Libya should negotiations fail. It is unclear what impact, if any, will this week’s terrorist attack in Paris have over France’s already pro-active policy in Libya.
Other – 12 January 2015
Fighting continues unabated in Benghazi. Although Operation Dignity forces continue to claim victories in the Laithi district, a long-time Ansar al-Shari’a stronghold, Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council (BRSC) forces appear to have strengthened their military capabilities in the past weeks and a BRSC defeat in its home turf seems unlikely.
Anti – 12 January 2015
The air force affiliated with Operation Dignity made an unconfirmed claim of having received 4 new Sukhoi Su-27 (Flanker) fighter jets that could significantly boost its operational capabilities.
Action – 5 January 2015
On Friday 2 January, 14 soldiers belonging to the 168th Battalion of the Libyan Army were killed. The Cyrenaica-based IS cell published a number of photos portraying apartments and cars belonging to supporters of Khalifa Haftar’s Operation Dignity burned and destroyed by member of the radical Islamist organisation.
Western – 5 January 2015
There was no overt Western response to jihadi activity in Libya this week.
Other – 5 January 2015
Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council fighters (BRSC) employed armoured tanks for the first time and the Shura Council of the Mujahideen of Derna and Surroundings (SCMDS) carried out attacks with grad rockets over Labraq airport.
Anti – 5 January 2015
Haftar claims that the final phase of the battle for the liberation of Benghazi started and that his troops are now dealing mostly with snipers entrenched in densely populated areas.