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.
Political activists kidnapped in Misrata amid strong condemnation
On 8 July, in the centre of Misrata, political activist Moatassim Billah al-Araibi and his companion Muhammed Ishtewi were abducted by unidentified armed men in civilian clothes and taken away in two blacked-out cars. A couple of hours later, Ishtewi was released...
US delegates confirm commitment to security cooperation with Libyan actors
The US Charge d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt and the US Defence Attache also with the Chief of Staff (CoS) of the Libyan Army Muhammed al-Haddad and alongside Deputy CoS Salahadeen Namroush, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Major General Goujail, and Director of Military...
HSC member unharmed after assassination attempt in Tripoli
On 5 July, the National Consensus Bloc in the High State Council (HSC) condemned an attempted attack on its member, Abdussalam al-Safrani, and demanded an immediate investigation into the incident. The man was shot at by an attacker with a Kalashnikov outside his home...
Concerns rise about migrant abuses in Central Mediterranean route
On 5 July, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) and IOM published a report called ‘Abuse, protection and justice along routes between East and West Africa and Africa’s Mediterranean Coast: A route-based perspective on key risks’ alongside a...
Italy confirms seizure of Chinese combat drones destined for Benghazi
On 2 July, the Italian Guardia di Finanza confirmed in a statement that a total ofsix containers coming from China and destined for Libya were confiscated in Gioia Tauro (in southern Italy) after irregularities were detected in the customs documentation. The...
NOC strongly denies involvement in Chinese combat drones shipment seized in Italy
On 2 July, NOC denied reports in the British Sunday Times that the NOC was involved in the attempt to smuggle combat drones from China to Benghazi. It expressed its surprise at the attempts to disrupt its work and reputation as well as the inclusion of its name in...
Libyan GIS agents arrested for assassination attempt on Mleqta
On 2 July, the Special Deterrence Force (Rada) arrested two members of the Libyan General Intelligence Service in Tripoli who were allegedly involved in the failed assassination attempt on Abdul Majid Mleqta on 14 June. Mleqta is a former National Transitional Council...
Ras Ajdir border crossing reopens for general traffic, Dabaiba visits Zuwara
On 1 July in the morning, the Ras Ajdir border crossing was reopened for general border traffic by Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi and the Tunisian MoI Khaled al-Nuwairi. There were no incidents. Prime Minister Abdul Hameed...
Italian authorities impound another suspected container of weapons destined for Haftar
On 30 June, the Timesreported that the authorities at Gioia Tauro port in Calabria in southern Italy impounded another shipment of more than three suspect containers which had arrived at on a cargo ship, the MSC Apolline. The authorities suspect these containers of...