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.
MoI shuts down currency market in Tripoli amid efforts to protect dinar value
On 1 October, Libyan security units affiliated with the Government of National Unity (GNU) Ministry of Interior (MoI) closed the Masheer Currency and Gold Market in Tripoli’s Old City and banned the direct sale of dollars, a move described as aimed at curbing...
Violence continues in Libya’s western coastal area
On 30 September, a young man was killed by gunmen in a drive-by shooting on the Coastal Road in al-Harsha, Zawiyya. On 2 October, the body of an unidentified citizen was recovered from one of the beaches of Sabratha, bearing signs of torture. On 3 October in the...
Libyan maritime officials complete training under Operation IRINI
On 26 September, 30 Libyan maritime officials from Tripoli and Benghazi completed the first training delivered by EUNAVFOR Med’s Operation IRINI in Italy. Operation IRINI will continue enhancing Libya’s capacities in the months ahead offering an intensive training...
Italian ministers accused of helping al-Masri escape from ICC
On 26 September, Politico reported that three Italian officials - Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Cabinet Secretary Alfredo Mantovano - are accused by prosecutors of helping a criminal escape justice from the ICC, and of abuse of...
Libyan coast guard uses live ammunition against international SAR vessel
On 26 September in the very early hours, the Search and Rescue (SAR) NGO Sea Watch said that the Libyan coast guard had fired live ammunition at its rescue ship the Sea-Watch 5 after it had rescued 66 people in distress at sea. It noted that this is the second time in...
French court sentences Sarkozy to 5 years in prison over Qadhafi campaign financing
On 25 September, the Paris Criminal Court sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in jail, over an accusation of illegal funding from the former Libyan regime of Muammar Qadhafi for Sarkozy’s 2007 election campaign.
Violent protests take place against migrants in Misrata
Anger and violence against migrants in Misrata spiked this week after the kidnapping of an anti-migrant activist in the city. On 25 September, the civil activist al-Muatasim Abu Jinnah was kidnapped by unidentified armed elements in Misrata. He was very active on...
Renewed fighting breaks out between militias in Zawiyya
On 22 September in the evening, armed clashes erupted in Sabratha’s Dahman district after an RPG strike near a house owned by a local militia leader known as al-Kabou (‘The Capo’), who has ties to militias from Zawiyya. Fighting broke out between his affiliates,...
Misrata troops deployed in Tripoli
On several days throughout the last week, troops from Misrata - including a number of armoured vehicles - deployed to the capital area, while others redeployed from Tripoli back home. The main bases of the Misratan forces are in eastern Tajoura and southern Tripoli as...