by Jason | Jan 5, 2016 | Other Jihadi Actors
In Ajdabiya, a statement published by the Ajdabiya Revolutionaries’ Shoura Council (ARSC) on 2 Jan denied that it has defected to IS, after its emir and a dozen of its members published a video last week pledging allegiance to the group last week. The statement said...
by Jason | Jan 5, 2016 | Libyan actors
The ongoing IS attack on Sidra, while representing a grave local and international threat, also represents an important opportunity for the formation of a genuinely Libyan Anti-ISIS coalition. Despite their political differences, a range of social groups could be...
by Jason | Dec 29, 2015 | ISIS
Sirte ISIS continues to control Sirte, increasing its restrictions on civilians over the course of Christmas week. ISIS told residents that anyone caught celebrating Libya’s independence day, Christmas or New Year’s Eve would be punished. Last week, a young local who...
by Jason | Dec 29, 2015 | International actors
After the unanimous UN Security Council resolution of 23 Dec enshrining a new Government of National Accord (GNA) for Libya, Western governments are reportedly expediting plans to support the GNA in combating ISIS. Ibrahim Dabbashi, Libyan ambassador to the UN, told...
by Jason | Dec 29, 2015 | Other Jihadi Actors
Misrata The threat of ISIS in Misrata been bolstered after reports of a local group calling itself ‘Mujahedeen Misrata’, announced loyalty or ‘Baya’ to the international group in an audio message. Although the message itself was removed from the internet, the group...
by Jason | Dec 29, 2015 | Libyan actors
One of the biggest challenges facing the new GNA is its ability to galvanize fragmented Libyan political factions and militias to participate in the fight against ISIS. As it stands now, this change of approach depends on the ability of the GNA to form a united Libyan...
by Jason | Dec 22, 2015 | ISIS
Using Videos from Sirte for Dawa The Islamic State continues to control Sirte, ineluctably strengthening its grip on the coastal city over time as no coherent forces oppose it. As no forces are opposing its consolidation and expansion, it is quite likely to overflow...
by Jason | Dec 22, 2015 | International actors
The latest signature of the Libyan Political Agreement was supposed to reunify Libya under a strong and legitimate Government of National Accord to cooperate in the international fight against ISIS. However, the fragility of the UN-mediated process, and the severe...
by Jason | Dec 22, 2015 | Other Jihadi Actors
Clashes broke out in Ajdabiya on 15 December after LNA units, headed by Ltn. Mohammed Daooud Al Gabsi of border guard brigade, and Ltn. Mohammed Ebsit, deputy commander of the Ajdabiya operations room, began manhunts for members of the Ajdabiya Revolutionary Shura...
by Jason | Dec 22, 2015 | Libyan actors
As conflict erupts in Ajdabiya in tandem with the signing of the UN deal, the city is witnessing a deepening rift between supporters of the LNA units under the command of Khalifa Hafter, and supporters of the Islamist factions. These rifts are preventing political and...
