by Jason | Jun 14, 2017 | ISIS
On 6 June, the Libyan National Army (LNA) affiliated 116 Brigade said it had apprehended a jihadist cell, composed of fighters who fled from Benghazi, during an anti-terrorism raid in Sebha. The 166 Brigade, which is led by Masud al-Jeddi, claimed that one of those...
by Jason | Jun 14, 2017 | International actors
The diplomatic isolation and blockade of Qatar, initiated by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain last week, has had a significant impact on the Libyan political situation. On 9 June, these countries issued a blacklist of Qatari-funded individuals...
by Jason | Jun 14, 2017 | Other Jihadi Actors
On 7 June, the Misrata Municipal Council issued a statement banning the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) from re-entering Misrata city with their weapons and demanding that the BDB hand over individuals implicated in terrorism to state authorities. On 6 June, leaders...
by Jason | Jun 14, 2017 | Libyan actors
the Libyan National Army (LNA), said that Saif al-Islam al-Qadhafi, Muammar al-Qadhafi’s son, had been released from its custody. Apparently, Saif was released by order of the Justice Ministry of the House of Representatives’ (HoR) Bayda government, in accordance with...
by Jason | Jun 12, 2017 | EOIL Publications
On 20 June, the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Centre will convene a discussion on its new report, The Origins and Evolution of ISIS in Libya. The unique, comprehensive, and groundbreaking report examines the jihadist dynamics in Libya and offers...
by Jason | Jun 7, 2017 | EOIL Publications
Mapping Libya’s Jihadists June 7, 2017 In a long form article for Norwegian NGO Hate Speech International, Jason Pack and Rhiannon Smith map out the history and context of Libya’s myriad jihadist groups. Six years after protests first erupted in February...
by Jason | Jun 6, 2017 | ISIS
On 5 June, the anti-crime unit of Misrata’s security forces released a recording that claims to show the ‘confessions’ of ISIS fighter Ahmed al-Mshiti. Known as Aseeda, he was one of the leading ISIS figures in the Sabri area of Benghazi, and was captured on his...
by Jason | Jun 6, 2017 | International actors
On 5 June, the House of Representatives (HoR) announced it was cutting (non-existent) diplomatic ties with Qatar, in line with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, in light of its support for ‘terrorist’ groups. It said Qatar had contributed to the destabilization of...
by Jason | Jun 6, 2017 | Other Jihadi Actors
On 2 June, fierce clashes took place between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Derna Mujahadeen Shura Council (DMSC) in the Derna area. Suliman al-Huwat al-Marimi (aka Abu Hurirah), a DMSC field commander, and Mohammed al-Khajkhaj, (aka al-Muqdad), a DMSC media...
by Jason | Jun 6, 2017 | Libyan actors
The Libyan National Army (LNA) made progress in southern Libya last week, evicting the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) from the Jufra airbase and taking control of the entire Jufra area, pushing the BDB north towards Sirte. Many locals welcomed the arrival of the LNA...
