Operation Shuruq (Sunrise) forces carried out a surprise attack on Sidra’s oil terminal employing speedboats and rockets. Although Operation Dignity forces repelled the attack, one of Operation Shuruq’s rockets fell on an oil storage tank, starting a fire that spread to five tanks.

The battle to control Libya’s energy sector is ongoing and shows little sign of letting up. Although the Misratan led alliance forces that go by the name Libya Sunrise (Shuruq Libiyya) is still on the back foot, it has not given up the fight.

The attack by Misratan forces called operation Shuruq is already being perceived by some as an assault by the west against the east. Indeed, the move is provoking uproar in eastern towns such as Ajdabiyya. Haftar is preparing to take the battle to Derna and is readying himself for a major assault against the town.

News emerged this week that the HoR is set to formalise Haftar’s role even further by appointing him as Commander in Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces.

Although Hafter has the Zintani brigades on board, who like him are now considered to be part of the Libyan national army, this is clearly not sufficient to enable him to secure a win in Tripoli.

Over the past week, the Libyan national army bombed a number of targets west of the capital and announced the closure of ports and airports. Dignity struggled in Benghazi and security in Sirte deteriorated.

Hafter is still struggling to fully defeat the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council that continues to put up a fierce resistance in its traditional strongholds.

General Khalifa Hafter has continued to make progress in Benghazi, consolidating control of more areas of the city and flushing out militants.

General Khalifa Haftar has made further progress in his efforts to ‘liberate’ Benghazi from the grip of Islamist militants.

General Hafter launched a major offensive against his opponents in Benghazi this week. Fierce fighting has continued in the Jebel Nafusa as the Zintani brigades continue their assault against Operation Libya Dawn controlled towns in the area.

The army’s referring to the Zintani brigades as part of its own forces is a new and notable development. Zintani brigades made another attempt to fight back against Operation Libya Dawn this week when they launched an offensive against the town of Kikla in the western mountains.

The Zintani militias are apparently preparing for war against Dawn who just evicted them from the Airport; the head of the Qaqaa Brigade, Othman Mlegta, has gone to Tobruk recently to coordinate the delivery of equipment and define a strategy for a counteroffensive.

World media reported that Hafter made good on his threat to bomb the Benghazi port on Wednesday the 24th.

Al-Thinni’s failure to form a government has revealed the depth of division that exists inside the HoR, particularly between the federalists and the National Forces Alliance (which is itself divided).

Both the HoR and the GNC have continued in their efforts to acquire international support and recognition. Khalifa Haftar announced a major offensive that did not materialize.

Violence has continued in Benghazi where General Khalifa Haftar and those Islamist forces fighting under the umbrella of the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council are locked into a seemingly intractable battle to control Benina Airport. However, the Islamists still very much have the upper hand.