by Jason | Dec 27, 2016 | Libyan actors
On 23 December, a senior moderate cleric who was a symbolic figure for the Misratan militias that formed the core of the al-Bunyan al-Marsus (BM) coalition, such as the Halbous and Mahjoub brigades, was abducted, tortured and forced to leave the country. On 24...
by Jason | Dec 20, 2016 | ISIS
On 17 December, the Government of National Accord’s (GNA) Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj officially declared the military operation against Islamic State (ISIS) in Sirte complete and victorious. Although the city is now under the control of the Misratan-led al-Bunyan...
by Jason | Dec 20, 2016 | International actors
On 13-14 December, representatives from several countries attended a two-day conference organised by UNSMIL in Tunis with some members of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). The main purpose of the meetings was to discuss support for the establishment...
by Jason | Dec 20, 2016 | Other Jihadi Actors
In Benghazi, the Libyan National Army (LNA) assault against a coalition of jihadists including Islamic State (ISIS), Ansar al-Sharia and Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council (BRSC) in the south-west area of Ganfuda is reaching its final stages. Last week, the LNA...
by Jason | Dec 20, 2016 | Libyan actors
On 14 December, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar called on his officers and soldiers to be ready for the offensive to ‘free’ Tripoli. An LNA spokesperson said plans to achieve this were already underway. However, it is likely that any attempt by LNA forces to take Tripoli...
by Jason | Dec 13, 2016 | ISIS
On 6 December, the Government of National Accord (GNA)-aligned Misratan-led al-Bunyan al-Marsus (BM) forces celebrated the takeover of the final ISIS held area in Sirte (al-Jiza al-Bahriya). Footage and photographs showed BM forces rescuing the last groups of women...
by Jason | Dec 13, 2016 | International actors
On 6 December, UN Envoy to Libya Martin Kobler told the UN Security Council (UNSC) that although the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) was ‘the only solution’ to the Libyan problem, its terms were ‘not set in stone’. This raises the possibility that the terms of the...
by Jason | Dec 13, 2016 | Other Jihadi Actors
In Benghazi, on 10 December the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced a unilateral ceasefire and started to allow families held in conflict areas to travel to safety. The LNA also made some gains against jihadis in the besieged area of Ganfuda, seizing a large arms...
by Jason | Dec 13, 2016 | Libyan actors
On 7 December, a convoy of fighters comprising former Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG) forces under Ibrahim Jadhran, Islamist Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) and some pro Government of National Accord (GNA) forces attempt to retake wells and ports in the oil crescent...
by Jason | Dec 6, 2016 | ISIS
On 5 December, after days of heavy fighting and US airstrikes, the GNA-affiliated al-Bunyan al-Marsus (BM) fighters officially declared victory against ISIS in Sirte, declaring a final and total breakdown in ISIS ranks with many of their militants surrendering...
