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.
Chatham House publishes report on migrant smuggling and conflict in Libya
On 13 February, Chatham House published a report entitled ‘How migrant smuggling has fuelled conflict in Libya’, a systems analysis of key transit hubs namely Kufra, Sebha and Zawiyya. It highlights that since 2020 there has been an uptick in migrant departures to...
West Coast Military District operations expand to Zawiyya
On 13 February, two persons in Zawiyya were assassinated by unknown gunmen. On 17 February, fighting with light infantry weapons took place between the militias of Muhammed al-Baroun (aka al Far) and the 103rd (Zawiya) Infantry Brigade near Martyr’s Square in Zawiyya.
Attorney General investigates mass graves in Kufra amid renewed UN calls
On 12 February, UNSMIL reiterated its alarm at the discovery of two mass graves in al-Wahat and Kufra, some with gunshot wounds. The victims had reportedly been held captive by traffickers for months and subjected to severe abuse and torture. Due to their irregular...
GNU minister wounded in assassination attempt in Tripoli
On 12 February in the morning, the car of Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of State for Prime Minister and Cabinet Affairs Adel Jumaa was shot at by unidentified gunmen shortly after he had left Palm City on the Second Ring Road in Tripoli. The car was hit...
West Coast Military District widens its operations to Zuwara
On 11 February, the Libyan Army’s West Coast Military District announced the beginning of military operations in the city of Zuwara ‘as part of the decisive action to eradicate organized crime dens and confront outlaws.’ The 105th Battalion and the 62nd Brigade...
At least eight LNA troops killed in heavy fighting with Tebu forces aligned with Chadian rebel leader in al-Qatrun
On 11 February in the evening, Libyan National Army (LNA) troops, including Military Police and the 87th Rapid Reaction Battalion of the Special Forces (aligned with Saddam Haftar), arrived in al-Qatrun in the far south-west of Libya and demanded forces loyal to...
Mass graves of migrants discovered in southeastern Libya
On 11 February, UNHCR said it is alarmed by the discovery of two mass graves found at trafficking sites in Libya's desert—19 bodies in Ejkherra (south of Benghazi) and at least 28 bodies north of al-Kufra. Alkufra is the main entry point for refugees entering Libya...
Attorney General detains Zuwara Coast Guard members over illegal immigration incident
On 8 February, the Attorney General announced the detention of four members of the Zuwara Coast Guard Branch. They are allegedly involved in an incident in which members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) tried to stop the embarkation of 37 illegal...
Rights body urges investigation into killing in Zawiyya
On 6 February in the afternoon, an 18-year old man was killed by gunmen on al-Daman Street in the center of Zawiyya. The National Institution for Human Rights called on the MoI and the Attorney General to launch an urgent investigation into the incident and to...