On 21 February, at 9:15 in the morning, an ISIS Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) drove into the LNA 127 infantry battalion at a checkpoint near Waddan in the Jufra district. The attack killed three LNA fighters and wounding two more.

On 18 February, Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui is reported to have stated in an address at the Munich Security Conference in Germany that ISIS will attempt to return to Libya following its defeat in Iraq and Syria.

On 10 February, three LNA officers belonging to the 165th Brigade were injured in a VBIED attack on their position at the 90km checkpoint, 60 km east of Sidra. The driver of the vehicle is suspected of being an ISIS fighter.

On 30 January, Indian media reported that an Indian national, who is said to have joined ISIS in Libya in 2016, is allegedly being held in a Libyan jail. On 31 January, the LNA claimed two ISIS affiliates had been killed in clashes in Brak al-Shatti. On 2 February, two purported members of ISIS were killed in fighting near Maradah. On 3 February, three alleged ISIS fighters were also killed in clashes near Waha Company’s Dahra oil field.