by Jason | May 9, 2016 | Libyan actors
Three separate operations rooms to combat ISIS were established last week. It is quite clear that each actor wishes to control the operation to liberate Sirte, rather than genuinely cooperate with its adversaries. On 5 May, the Presidential Council issued its first...
by Jason | May 4, 2016 | ISIS
In Sirte, ISIS is taking unprecedented measures as the buildup of rival Libyan forces towards a battle in Sirte is almost complete. ISIS is reported to have executed, by firing squad an army captain, named as Ahnaish Qaddafi, and two other soldiers, both bothers, as...
by Jason | May 4, 2016 | International actors
During a Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing on 28 April, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Joseph Dunford said the US has moved surveillance drones into Libyan airspace to gather intelligence and to prepare for the potential of additional airstrikes against ISIS. At...
by Jason | May 4, 2016 | Other Jihadi Actors
Non-State actors in Benghazi continue to battle with LNA forces in Benghazi, although they have now been pushed and cornered to a limited are of twenty five squared km of land in Guwarsha and Ganfuda, according to the LNA spokesperson on 3 May. Ansar Al Sharia and...
by Jason | May 4, 2016 | Libyan actors
The battle to liberate Sirte from IS was long seen by supporters of the UN deal as the national unity project gelling the rival actors into an internationally supported, locally led anti-ISIS coalition. However current realities appear to paint a different picture....
by Jason | Apr 27, 2016 | ISIS
ISIS withdrew from Derna on 20 April after intense fighting with the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC), and their Libyan National Army (LNA) allies, just days before. Sources in Derna report that ISIS retreated after their commanders issued orders to fall back to...
by Jason | Apr 27, 2016 | Other Jihadi Actors
The recent gains of the Libyan National Army (LNA) in Benghazi have put significant pressure on jihadi actors in the city, including Ansar Al Sharia (AAS) and the Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council (BRSC). A new video statement issued by BRSC leader Wisam Bin Hamid...
by Jason | Apr 27, 2016 | International actors
UN Special Envoy Martin Kobler called for western forces to help combat ISIS in partnership with the Government of National Accord (GNA). Kobler said foreign powers should offer training and military support, combined with an end to the UN arms embargo. “The Daesh...
by Jason | Apr 27, 2016 | Libyan actors
The sudden ISIS withdrawal from Derna on 20 April, and the lack of combat between ISIS convoys and LNA, has revived suspicions among Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC) supporters that the LNA and ISIS are collaborating. Furthermore, the civilian casualties...
by Jason | Apr 20, 2016 | ISIS
ISIS attacked the ‘28 May’ militia near Sadada on 13 April, beheading militia leaders, looting large amounts of munitions, and destroying the remaining armaments that could not be transported from the camp. Some sources report that the ISIS militants who conducted the...
