by Jason | Jul 28, 2014 | Other Jihadi Actors
Although a special committee led by Mustafa Abdeljalil, the former head of the National Transitional Council (NTC), has tried to bring the Misratans and Zintanis together, there is little sign that either is ready to compromise. Indeed, there is talk that the Misratan...
by Jason | Jul 28, 2014 | Libyan actors
Ouanis Bukhamada, the head of Special Forces in Benghazi, responded to an attack against his troops by calling on Libyan revolutionaries to come to Benghazi to join the fight. Among those responding were members of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), marking their...
by Jason | Jul 21, 2014 | ISIS
While some groups expressed their support for Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, ISIS in Libya did not exist yet. However, the growing conflict between the Misratans and Zintanis has further amplified divisions between groups fighting across the country.
by Jason | Jul 21, 2014 | International actors
On 17 July, House of Representatives (HoR) Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdulaziz requested that the UN Security Council dispatch experts to train Libya’s defence forces and police to improve their ability to protect oil fields, airports and other vital sites. Given the...
by Jason | Jul 21, 2014 | Other Jihadi Actors
Tripoli continues to be gripped by violence as the battle between Zintani-led brigades and those from Misrata rages on. The area surrounding the Tripoli International Airport (TIA) has become a battle zone, while fighting has been reported in several Tripoli...
by Jason | Jul 21, 2014 | Libyan actors
This week saw an attack against an Egyptian military post near the border with Libya and Sudan. The attack killed 21 Egyptian border guards and destroyed a weapons storage facility. Although Egyptian security officials said the perpetrators were smugglers, Cairo later...
by Jason | Jul 14, 2014 | ISIS
The effects of ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi’s declaration of an Islamic caliphate in Iraq are already being felt in Libya. The leader of the Abu Mahjan Al-Ta’ifi Brigade, which refers to itself as ‘Al-Qa’ida in Libya’, has openly declared the group’s support...
by Jason | Jul 14, 2014 | International actors
United Kingdom Special Envoy to Libya Jonathan Powell, along with his US and UN counterparts, are devising a new strategy to mediate between Libya’s warring factions. There are indications that they will have to first bring the key anti-Islamist factions...
by Jason | Jul 14, 2014 | Other Jihadi Actors
The long expected showdown between Misratan and Zintani forces in Tripoli appears to have kicked off. Islamist brigades are lining up behind the Misratans in a bid to push the Zintanis out of key strategic redoubts (i.e. the airport). The confrontation began when...
by Jason | Jul 14, 2014 | Libyan actors
General Khalifa Haftar continues to fight militant groups in the East, and thus far shows no sign of making substantive progress. Despite his assaults against militant positions in Benghazi, the attacks and kidnappings have continued. Five people were killed in...
