ISIS now controls almost 300 kilometres of Libyan coastline and has expanded its control to seven other towns 150 kilometres west and southwest of Sirte. Residents of Sirte have reported tighter ISIS security measures, in addition to widespread stockpiling of food and supplies, anticipating an imminent attack on the city. A large proportion of the population has evacuated, however some …
Read Full PostThis week, Western powers opted to loosen their policies toward Libya in order to support the Government of National Accord (GNA) and combat the expansion of ISIS. At a meeting in Vienna on 16 May, the US and its European and regional partners agreed to supply the GNA with weapons, aimed at preventing ISIS fighters and rival militias from further …
Read Full PostDespite the expulsion of ISIS from Derna, a return to normalcy is likely to take longer than expected, due to the threat of a new conflict between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC). The LNA announced that operation “Burkan” will commence if ongoing negotiations fail to disarm the DMSC and Ansar Al Sharia in …
Read Full PostIn eastern Libya, the Libyan National Army (LNA) is preparing for a new offensive against the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC) and other jihadists belonging to Al Qaeda and Ansar Al Sharia (AAS). On 11 May, LNA spokesperson Ahmed El Mesmari held a press conference in Benghazi to outline the LNA’s progress in Derna. He said that the LNA had …
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