On 24 December, a mass gave thought to contain the bodies of as many as twenty ISIS fighters was uncovered in the al-Manara neighborhood of Sirte following a report from a local resident. Al-Manara saw the most intense clashes between ISIS and the al-Bunyan al-Marsous forces prior to the former’s defeat in the city in […]
ISIS
Our archive of political and security incidents relating to Islamic State activity in Libya
13-19 Dec: DMSC Arrests ISIS Members in Derna
On 12 December, DMSC members arrested some alleged ISIS members in Derna including Mahmoud Mohammed al-Souainay. On 14 December, DMSC fighters arrested Souhail Rizk al-Oakley, in al-Maghar area in the centre of Derna, for the second time. On 13 December, reports indicated that the body of a young man which showed signs of being executed was found in Nufaliya, a town east of Sirte.
6- 12 Dec: Misrata published a video ‘confession’ of an ISIS member
The anti-crime department of Misrata published a video ‘confession’ of an ISIS member who revealed details of the beheading of Egyptian Coptic Christians in 2015. On 10 December, the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council (DMSC) undertook a raid on an ISIS cell in Derna that concluded with the arrest of the entire cell and the death of ISIS member.
29 Nov -5 Dec: ISIS Reported To Be Regrouping In The Valleys South Of Sirte
On 3 November, Zarouk Asuiti, the head of the activation committee of security services in Sirte, stated he has received information suggesting ISIS is regrouping in the valleys south of the city. The Libyan Air Force are said to be flying Mi-35 helicopters over Nawfaliyah-Bin Jawad area following reports of ISIS activity in the area.
22-28 Nov: LNA Declares Oil Crescent Closed Military Zone Due to ISIS
Last week, the LNA declared the Oil Crescent to be a closed military zone after a number of ISIS convoys were seen inside Harawah town, between Sirte and Sidra. On 26 November, al-Ghani oil field was ransacked and buildings torched by unknown assailants. The LNA announced it captured Dernawi ISIS fighter Anis Bualjieh Awami last month.
15-21 Nov: LNA Planes and US Drones Launch Airstrikes Against ISIS South of Sirte
On 15 November, the Libyan National Army (LNA) conducted two airstrikes against an ISIS target in the desert 90km south of Harawah, southeast of Sirte. On 17 November, the US reportedly conducted a drone strike against ISIS targets in the desert south of Sirte, reportedly with success, but no information has yet been officially released.
8 – 14 Nov: ISIS Establishes Checkpoints South of Sirte and Claims To Have Repelled LNA attack
ISIS established temporary checkpoints 70 km south of Sirte on the road to Waddan and also near Bohadi village in the same district, on the 8 and 13 November respectively. ISIS’s claims its fighters repelled an attack by the LNA in Cyrenaica on 2 November.
1 – 7 Nov: LNA post in Jufra attacked
On 4 November, an LNA security post on the road between Jufra and Brak al-Shatti in south-west Libya was attacked by unknown assailants, killing two people. Reports that ISIS fighters still present on the coast east of Sirte.
24-31 October: ISIS Claims 25 Oct. Attack on LNA Checkpoint Near Ajdabiya
The ISIS Amaq news agency claimed responsibility for the 25 October, attack on the ‘Tisan’ checkpoint south of Ajdabiya, which killed at least 3 LNA fighters and left another two injured. Survivors report that the assailants arrived in 7 vehicles and set the entire checkpoint on fire after seizing the LNA’s firearms. It was reported that on 29 October, ISIS fighters established a temporary checkpoint on the coastal highway 20km east of Sirte. The area in question is considered to be under the control of al-Bunyan al-Marsus (BM) forces aligned with the GNA.
17-24 October: LNA alleges that Qatar is funneling ISIS fighters to the south of Libya
Sources from the LNA allegedly told UAE based news outlet, Alittihad, that Qatar is transferring ISIS militants to Libya, after major losses in Iraq and Syria. In Misrata the crackdown on Islamist hardliners and suspected ISIS collaborators continues, last week 13 people were arrested connection with terrorism. On October 19, the LNA allegedly arrested a former ISIS member, Anis Bujeela al-Awami, who was hiding in Derna.
11-17 October: Agreement reached on families of Tunisian ISIS fighters held in Mitiga
On 14 October, Ahmed Ben Salem, the spokesman for RADA Special Deterrence Force based in Tripoli, stated that the group has come to an agreement with Tunisian authorities regarding the extradition of woman and children Tunisian prisoners held in Mitiga Prison. The Tunisian newspaper, Al-Sabah, reported that Ben Salem said the agreement entailed the extradition of twenty-one children.
4-10 October: ISIS attack on Misratan court kills five, ISIS cell discovered in Ruwaisat area
An ISIS suicide bomb attack which targeted a Misratan court complex in the centre of the city on 4 October, killed four people and wounded several more after ISIS fighters opened fire on the complex and one attacked detonated a suicide belt. Local support of security forces in clamping down against militia members connected with terrorist organizations is rising. It is reported that an ISIS cell was arrested and its armory, including high power explosives, was found in the Ruwaisat area.
27 Sept – 4 Oct: AG releases warrants for ISIS fighters
On 28 September, the Attorney General’s Office released the names and affiliations of several ISIS and Ansar al-Sharia connected individuals in Libya. They provided details and photographs of accused, organizational charts, links and routes of travel into Libya and said 800 arrest warrants had already been issued for nearly 200 terrorist attacks in Libya.
20-26 Sept: US Airstrikes Kill 17 ISIS Fighters Near Sirte
On 22 September, the US conducted an unmanned airstrike on an ISIS camp about 150 miles south-east of Sirte, reportedly killing 17 ISIS fighters and destroying 3 vehicles. ISIS’s Wilayat Barqa, published a long video last week praising the ISIS suicide car bomb attack in Nawfaliyah and the Fugha checkpoint massacres in August.
13-19 September: DMSC claims it has identified the bodies of 5 foreigners abducted by ISIS near Derna in 2015
The DMSC claims to have found the bodies of 5 foreigners abducted by ISIS in March 2015. DMSC forces found the deceased during a combing operation in June 2015 and identified them after scrutinizing equipment and laptops seized in Derna following the defeat of ISIS in the area earlier in the year.
5-12 September: LNA and BM reinforce Oil Crescent region against ISIS resurgence
On 10 September, the commander of the LNA’s Sirte Operation Room declared that the entire coastal strip from Sidra to about 50km east of Sirte. On 8 September, the LNA reportedly defused a bomb attached to the main gas pipeline south of Ajdabiya. BM forces are positioned at the 30km checkpoint east of Sirte, and it is reported that BM arrested two people in a raid last week, fueling tensions with the local population.
30 Aug- 5 Sept: ISIS Claim Car Bomb Killing 4 in Nawfaliya
ISIS media claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack on a Libyan National Army (LNA) checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nawfaliya town, on 31 August. It was reported that ISIS units moved in to al-Teysseen, a town 90 kms east of Sirte, on 1 September. They allegedly held an Eid prayer in the local mosque and took positions in the town. The LNA air force launched a series of airstrikes targeting ISIS positions, from Ras Lanuf airstrip on 2 September.
August 22-29: ISIS Beheads 11 in attack near Jufra
On 23 August, Islamic State (ISIS) fighters attacked the Libyan National Army (LNA)-controlled al-Fugaha checkpoint in Jufra. Eleven victims were beheaded. On 27 August, Amaq released a new video showing two abductees and featuring several ISIS fighters guarding a checkpoint on a road near Jufra, south of Sirte.
August 23: ISIS beheads 11 in attack on al-Fogha checkpoint near Jufra
Islamic State (ISIS) militants attacked the Libyan National Army (LNA)-controlled al-Fogha checkpoint near Jufra this morning, killing at least nine soldiers and two civilians. According to LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari, the eleven victims were beheaded and many others were left injured. The IS Amaq news agency released a statement this morning claiming the incident and […]
15-22 August: Terror suspects tried over Corinthia attack in 2015
Two individuals were tried on terror charges in Tripoli after alleged involvement in a series of attacks in the capital, including the assault on the Corinthia Hotel in January 2015. The defendants have not been named and it is unclear how they came to be detained. BM forces published trailers of upcoming ‘confessions’ by Libyan ISIS fighters captured during fighting between BM and ISIS.
August 9-15: Poor Managements and exploding ordnance in Benghazi
Efforts to secure the Sabri and Souq al-Hout areas of Benghazi are not advancing as quickly as expected and more lives continue to be lost as a result of exploding ordnance.
1-8 August: Italian Authorities Accuse ISIS and Italian Mafia of Cooperation
Despite a lack of concrete evidence of connection between the mafia and extremist groups, rumors circulate about cooperation in the illicit economy via fuel and drug smuggling in the Sahara Desert. GNA- aligned al-Bunyan al-Marsus forces continue to conduct anti-ISIS reconnaissance missions in Abu Hadi area, south of Sirte.
July 24-August 1st 2017: Sabratha Municipal Council Mobilizes New Anti-ISIS Force
On 29 July, the Sabratha municipal council, with the cooperation of local tribes, mobilized a new security force. Dubbed the ‘anti-Islamic State (ISIS) Operation Room’ the force is intended to police the areas around Sabratha and Mellitah. After raising the anti-ISIS alert level last week, BM forces reported that ISIS activity on the road between Sirte and Jufra continues.
July 18-25: BM Forces Prepare for Imminent ISIS Attack On Sirte
Misratan-led Bunyan Marsus (BM) forces have raised the level of security readiness in anticipation of an impending Islamic State (ISIS) attack on Sirte from the south and the east. GNA spokesman Mohammed al-Ghosri denied rumours that BM requested military support from the LNA and posited that the LNA’s position in Jufra may actually facilitate the presence and movement of ISIS south of Sirte.
11-17 July: 50 LNA Soldiers Dead and More Injured Since Liberation of Benghazi
Battles continue in the final area (Khribish) in Sabri district of Benghazi, where a number of fighters and families are now still believed to be holding out, despite General Haftar’s announcement of official victory in Benghazi on 5 July. 10 LNA fighters were killed last week according to pro-LNA media.
Skirmishes South of Sirte
Misratan al-Bunyan al-Marsus (BM) forces, who nominally support the Government of National Accord (GNA), announced last week that they had skirmished with three units affiliated with the Libyan National Army (LNA) in Qasr Abu Hadi, south of Sirte, while they were on an anti-ISIS reconnaissance mission in the area.
28 Jun – 4 Jul: Rumours of ISIS escapees in Misrata
On 28 June, two ISIS captives being held in Misrata, one Libyan and the other Egyptian, were said to have escaped from the military intelligence agency. In Sabri, the LNA discovered the remains of an LNA officer killed by ISIS in an execution video.
June 21-27: BM Forces Capture ISIS fighter; Suicide attack at Sidra gate checkpoint
Forces belonging to the GNA-aligned BM forces allegedly captured an ISIS fighter, during an operation to retrieve hijacked fuel trucks south of Sirte. Lone-wolf suicide attack at the LNA controlled Sidra gate checkpoint, kills the assailant and one other.
14 – 20 June: Assassination attempt in Sirte
Last week in Sirte there was an assassination attempt against a Misratan BM fighter, alleged by the Salafist 604 brigade that helps secure the city.
6-13 June: LNA claims arrest of ISIS member in Sebha
The LNA-affiliated 116 brigade reportedly arrested a jihadist cell, including an ISIS member, in an anti-terrorism raid in Sebha. Three members of the al-Bunyan al-Marsus 166 brigade were killed in ambush south-west of Sirte, suspected to have been carried out by ISIS fighters.
31 May-6 June: Misrata’s security forces release ISIS Confession Video
On 5 June, the anti-crime unit of Misrata’s security forces released a recording that claims to show the ‘confessions’ of an ISIS fighter known as Aseeda. In the video, Aseeda describes ISIS and BRSC cooperation in Benghazi, including over a bank robbery.
24 – 30 May: ISIS fighters killed near Bani Walid
On 24 May, local militias clashed with ISIS fighters near Bani Walid. Four ISIS fighters were killed. In Tripoli, RADA forces arrested the father and brother of Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi. They claim Abedi and his brother are members of ISIS.
Manchester Suicide Bomber is of Libyan Decent
The suicide bomber who detonated a suitcase bomb at a Manchester concert on 22 May has been identified as Salman Abeidi, a British-born Libyan. His parents were dissidents who fled to the UK during the Qadhafi period. Abeidi lived with his family in a quiet, middle-class neighborhood in Fallowfield in south Manchester. The family was […]
17-27 May: BDB fighter chants ISIS songs in Brak Attack
Footage found on the phone of a Palestinian man captured by the LNA, who was reportedly amongst BDB forces, depicts the Palestinian and his companions chanting an ISIS song as well as the execution of LNA soldiers.
10-16 May: ISIS fighters hijack fuel trucks
On 14 May, three fuel trucks were seized by ISIS fighters on the road from Abu Grien to Jufra, south of Sirte. BM leaders also received threats from ISIS via social media accusing them of being “infidels assisting imperialists”.
3 – 9 May: ISIS Kills Misratan Fighters in Jufra
On 7 May, ISIS claimed responsibility for an ambush of GNA-affiliated Misratan Third Force fighters 100km south-west of Sirte. In Benghazi, the LNA published the execution video of an Algerian ISIS fighter captured in Sabri.
24 Apr-1 May: ISIS Infiltrates Italy; Exploits Program for Injured Libyans
The Guardian reported last week that Italian intelligence documents claim ISIS fighters may have infiltrated Italy by presenting false passports to medical personnel in Misrata and claiming to be wounded Libyan fighters seeking treatment in Europe.
Apr 18-25 ISIS leader killed in Sabratha
On 23 April, Abdullah Dabbashi, a Libyan ISIS leader was reportedly killed in Sabratha while in Benghazi, the LNA claimed that ISIS fighter Mohammed al-Moghrabi had not been executed as thought.
US Imposed Sanctions on Designated ISIS Financiers
The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified three Libyan-based financial facilitators of ISIS and have imposed sanctions on those individuals. The Libyan National Army (LNA) maintains an aerial and naval blockade in Benghazi, limiting the extent to which ISIS-aligned groups like the BRSC can bring in supplies.
5-11 Apr: ISIS prisoners finally released in Libya
On 6 April, several Eritrean and Nigerian women who were captured and enslaved by ISIS in Sirte were released from prison in Misrata, and will be able to apply for asylum or be repatriated.
29 Mar – 4 Apr: Bridge in Benghazi destroyed by jihadi fighters
The al-Lathama bridge into Sabri in Benghazi was destroyed last week, reportedly by jihadists to prevent the LNA from advancing westwards. In Sirte, residents are returning and some public services are resuming.
22 – 28 Mar: US Will Maintain Force in Libya to Counter ISIS
Head of US AFRICOM says US will maintain a force in Libya to work with the GNA if necessary against ISIS, estimates 100 – 200 ISIS fighters left in the country.
15 – 21 Mar: LNA Mutilates Jihadi Corpses
A video was widely shared on social media this week appearing to show the decomposing body of jihadist Jamal Makhzoum strapped to the front of a vehicle then being paraded around by LNA fighters.
8 – 14 March: LNA launches another offensive in Ganfuda
On 13 March, the LNA launched a major offensive to take control of the 12 Flats area of Ganfuda in Benghazi, while the head of AFRICOM has warned that ISIS are regrouping in Libya.
BDB Aims to Rescue Jihadists in Benghazi From Haftar
A BDB commander said “our goal is to rescue Benghazi from Haftar and return displaced families to their homes”. The LNA siege against jihadist fighters from the BRSC, Ansar al-Sharia and Islamic State in the 12 Flats area of Ganfuda is ongoing
Feb 22 – 28: ISIS Fighter Executed by LNA-Aligned Salafi Group
On 24 February, an LNA-aligned Salafi group called Tariq Ibn Ziyad Brigade released a video showing the execution of Mohamed Mustafa al-Mugharbi (aka Randa al-Abed), a high-profile fighter for ISIS in Benghazi.
15 – 21 Feb: US Libya Strike Provided ‘Actionable Intelligence’
Marine Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, the head of US Africa Command, said that the US obtained significant intelligence from the Islamic State (ISIS) camps, located 45km south of Sirte, which were hit by US airstrikes on 19 January.
ISIS Arms Cache Found, Fighters Spotted
A suspected ISIS arms cache containing unguided air-to-ground bombs and fuel was reportedly found by LNA units approximately 90km south of Nawfaliya, while there are reports ISIS cells are regrouping in the regions south-west of Misrata, near Bani Walid.
Video Published of LNA Fighter Executed by ISIS
On 6 February, a video was published on Libyan social media showing the execution of an LNA fighter by an ISIS fighter in Benghazi. The video has sparked an angry reaction and is being seen as further proof of collaboration between ISIS and BRSC in Benghazi.
BM Forces Investigate Aftermath of US Airstrikes
BM forces visited the site of US airstrikes against ISIS fighters last week and found bodies, underground stores and camouflaged hideouts. In Sirte, tribal elders accuse BM forces of looting and theft.
GNA MoD Claims 2500 ISIS Bodies Collected in Sirte
On 16 January, the GNA’s MoD spokesperson, announced that more than 2,500 bodies of ISIS fighters had been collected from Sirte.On 17 January, LNA forces in Nawfaliyah, a town west of Sirte, captured Emhemmed Emrajaa al-Hamali, a senior Libyan ISIS commander from Sirte. Al-Hamali was taken by the LNA to Grenada prison in Benghazi.
BRSC Says ISIS Breakout from Ganfuda a ‘Betrayal’
On 10 January, the BRSC said that the ISIS breakout from the Benghazi areas of Sabri and Ganfuda on 5 January caused ‘some’ disarray in their ranks, calling the ISIS withdrawal a ‘betrayal’. The BRSC and their supporters are facing a growing scandal over their exposed collaboration with ISIS.
ISIS Fighter Says Tunisian Journalists Killed in Derna
There are reports of ISIS fighters sabotaging infrastructure in south-west Libya, including an attack on the Man Made River pipeline. An anti-ISIS tribal coalition has reportedly been formed to counter this threat. In Sirte, an ISIS suicide bomber attacked BM forces but no casualties were reported, while ISIS fighter says Tunisia journalists were executed in Derna.
Reports of ISIS Presence in Southern Libya
There are reports of an ISIS presence in south-west Libya, with ISIS fighters reportedly use the desert roads to move between areas, raid supplies and establish checkpoints. In Sirte, a Salafist brigade has been tasked with securing the city.