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.
Year: 2017
Libya-Italy Migration Deal Signed
Last week, GNA PM Fayez al-Serraj signed an MoU with Italy agreeing to reduce the number of migrants leaving Libya in return for support for the Libyan coast guard and funding for detention centers in Libya. The EU approved the deal and will contribute its own funding to anti-smuggling support measures.
LNA Fights BRSC in 12 Flats in Ganfuda
The LNA continues to fight against jihad fighters in the 12 Flats area in Ganfuda, while some LNA units have been remobilized to Souq al-Hout and Sabri. Faraj al-Shwehdy, a senior BRSC commander was killed on 4 February.
Mobilisation in Hun, Clashes & Violence in Tripoli
Local sources in Jufra report a new mobilization by GNA/Islamist affiliated groups who reportedly plan to attack Ras Lanuf port in the coming weeks. Rivalries between militias of various factions in Tripoli are escalating, with various rival armed groups implicated in clashes, kidnappings and armed assault.
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.
Turkey Reopens Embassy in Tripoli
On 30 January, Turkey became the second country to reopen its embassy in Tripoli saying it would “support the territorial integrity and national unity of brotherly Libya”, while Egypt continues its diplomatic efforts to bring rival Libyan factions together in negotiations.
LNA Declares Full Control of Ganfuda, Benghazi
On 25 January, the LNA declared it had taken full control of Ganfuda, with only a few jihadi fighters remaining in the 12 Flats area. The same day, a VBEID killed 4 people in downtown Benghazi. The LNA also continued airstrikes against the DMSC in Derna.
Libya Political Dialogue Agrees Amendments to LPA
On 24 January, the Libyan Political Dialogue Group signed an agreement accepting six changes to the LPA, including reducing the PC membership to three and creating a new council to assume the powers of the Supreme Commander of the Libyan Army.
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.
US Airstrikes Kill ISIS Fighters Near Sirte
On 19 January, American B-2 stealth bombers destroyed two ISIS camps approximately 44 km south-west of Sirte, dropping more than 100 precision-guided bombs on the targets. On 21 January, a VBIED exploded near the Italian embassy in Tripoli.
LNA Takes Over Abu Saneeb, Re-Starts Derna Offensive
On 16 January, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA)’s Operation Dignity command centre, Brig Abdussalam al-Hassi, announced the full takeover of Abu Saneeb area of Benghazi from the coalition of jihadis after the LNA continued its advance in Abu Saneeb with air support. LNA operations also resumed last week with airstrikes against the Derna Shura Mujahedeen Council (DMSC).
Clashes Around Ministry of Labour Building in Tripoli
In Tripoli, sporadic clashes took place last week between various militias affiliated with the Government of National Accord (GNA), and other hard-line anti-Haftar, Islamist militias nominally loyal to Khalifa al-Ghwell. Ghniwa’s forces attempted to retake control of the Ministry of Labor buildings at Hadba near the Military Academy buildings. The MoL building was taken over by al-Ghwell’s militias last week in an attempted ‘coup’.
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.
Haftar Talks With Russian MoD Aboard Aircraft Carrier
On 11 January, Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), was formally received aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia’s only aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean. On 14 January, Haftar summoned the senior LNA commanders from the east, west and south of Libya for a high-level meeting with HoR President.
Clashes Resume in Ganfuda, LNA Fighters & Senior Jihadis Killed
Last week, clashes resumed between the Libyan National Army (LNA) commanded by Haftar and the coalition of jihadis in Benghazi as the LNA attempted to take full control of the Abu Saneeb area of Ganfuda. A number of LNA fighters and jihadi fighters were killed during the fighting.
Ghwell’s Seizure of Tripoli Ministries & Blackouts Provoke Tensions
On 12 January, militias allied to Khalifa al-Ghwell, leader of a rival government in Tripoli, seized several ministerial buildings in Tripoli, while the whole of western and southern Libya continues to suffer chronic power outages, provoking tensions and anti-GNA sentiment
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.
Italian Embassy Reopens in Tripoli
On 9 January, the Italian Foreign Ministry announced it was sending its ambassador back to Libya. It is the first Western diplomatic mission to reopen in the country. The statement said the ambassador would present his credentials to the GNA on 10 January and would start work in Tripoli immediately.
Jihadi Fighters Attempt to Flee LNA Siege in Benghazi
On 5 January, a group of jihadi fighters including ISIS, AS and BRSC militants attempted a coordinated breakout from the Sabri and Ganfuda areas in Benghazi, which are currently besieged by LNA forces. LNA fighters captured a number of key AS and BRSC figures.
Head of Misrata Military Council Injured in LNA Airstrike
The Misratan Third Force retook the Gweirat al-Mal checkpoint from the LNA, while LNA fighters conducted airstrikes against Jufra airbase, injuring the head of Misrata Military Council. This lead to calls for all Misratans to mobilize against Haftar in the south, while protests were held in the south calling for Misrata to withdraw.
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.
Diplomacy Efforts by Russia, Egypt, Algeria Continue
Internationally, diplomacy efforts are gaining pace with Russia demanding a formal political role for Marshall Haftar, Algeria trying to broker dialogue between Haftar and the Islamists, and Egypt trying to pursue demands for amending the LPA and reforming the GNA.
Lull in Ganfuda Fighting to Allow Families to Leave
In Benghazi, there is a lull in the fighting in Ganfuda as the LNA say they are allowing trapped families to leave, although few have as they are apparently being held hostage by the jihadi fighters.
Hostilities Between Misrata & LNA in Southern Libya, Koni Resigns
New hostilities between Misratan forces and the LNA threaten to destabilize southern Libya and weaken the GNA. Deputy PM Musa al-Koni resigned his position on the PC, saying it had failed the Libyan people, while the PC agreed the new 2017 Libyan budget and issued some major security decisions.