This week, the Zuwara leadership reached an agreement with the Libyan Army (which is under the command of the Presidential Command) to secure and...
Ras Ajdir crossing under government control after agreement with Zuwara
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Results for "Zuwara"
3 – 9 Jan: GNA aligned forces trigger clashes near Zuwara and Garabulli
GNA aligned forces triggered clashes with local militias near Zuwara’s Abu Kammash area on 5-6 January. The clashes ended on 8 January after an agreement was made over security arrangements for control of the land border and Zuwara port. On 6 January, the GNA affiliated ‘Kani brigade’ took control of the Garabulli coastal checkpoint before withdrawing.
Ras Ajdir crossing remains closed despite progress in talks
On 2 April, some initial progress was made in Ras Ajdir in the negotiations between the staff of the Government of National Unity's (GNU) Ministry...
GNU deploys military forces to contain situation at Ras Ajdir
On the evening of 23 March, the Government of National Unity's (GNU) Western Coast Military District Commander and Deputy GNU Libyan Army Chief of...
Trabelsi orders withdrawal of security and police from Ras Ajdir border crossing
On 21 March, Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi ordered the withdrawal of all members of Zuwara’s General Directorate of Security Operations, the...
SSA’s al-Kikli vows intervention to restore security at Ras Ajdir border crossing
On 21 March, the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), led by Abdul Ghani al-Kikli, announced that the Zuwara-Ras Ajdir Branch of the SSA would...
Ras Ajdir border remains closed amid Amazigh-GNU tensions
On 19 March, long queues formed on both sides of the Tunisian-Libyan coastal border after the Ras Ajdir border crossing remained closed. Amazigh...
Clashes break out at Ras Ajdir after MoI deploys border forces
On 18 March, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi assigned the Law Enforcement Department of the General...
Tensions rise in Ghadames over plans to reopen border with Algeria
Tensions have been rising in the town of Ghadames in the south-west of Libya precipitated by the planned reopening of the Ghadames – Debdeb border...
GNU Joint Force attempts to seize Ras Ajdir
On 15 November, Government of National Unity (GNU) Joint Force Commander Abdussalam al-Zoubi deployed troops in the direction of Ras Ajdir in order...
PC appoints Namroush as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army
On 15 November, the Defense and Security Council, led by Presidential Council (PC) head Muhammed al-Menfi, discussed the security situation in the...
Prominent Zawiyya militia leaders arrested in Ras Ajdir
On 4 July, an armed group leader from Zawiyya, Abdurraouf al-Kabu (aka al-Zaza), was arrested in Ras Ajdir, after returning from Tunisia, based on a...
Zawiyya fuel depots targeted by drone strikes
During the last week, the Government of National Unity's (GNU) drone strikes in the greater Zawiyya area and in Zuwara continued, albeit on a much...
High-level security meeting discusses situation in Zawiyya as GNU continues drone strikes
On 30 May, Presidential Council (PC) Head Muhammad al-Menfi, PC Deputy President Abdullah al-Lafi, Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister...
SSA launches major naval operation
On 18 June, the Vice President of the Stability and Support Apparatus (SSA), Hassan Bouzuriba, announced the launch of an SSA naval operation along...
Attorney General orders seizure of suspected illegal oil tankers
On 23 April, the Attorney General Sadiq al-Sour ordered the detention of an oil tanker for smuggling illicit fuel from Abu Kammash, west of Zuwara...
17 June – 23 June: Sisi threatens to invade Libya
On 20 June, Egyptian President al-Sisi stated that Egypt has the legitimate right to intervene in Libya. In the wake of Sisi’s statements, many of the foreign actors involved in Libya have released statements. On 22 June, the US NSC stressed the need to build on the UN’s 5 +5 talks, the Cairo initiative, and the Berlin process. The same day, the head of the GNA, al-Serraj, hosted a closed-door meeting in Zuwara with a US AFRICOM delegation. Also on 22 June, the UNHRC adopted a resolution strongly condemning all acts of violence in Libya and urging the UN to dispatch a fact-finding mission to the country.
6 May – 12 May: LNA spokesperson indicates deal between Haftar and Saleh
On 11 May, the LNA spokesperson, indicated that a deal had been brokered between Haftar, and the chairman of the HoR, Saleh. On 9 May, the LNA launched as many as 150 artillery shells on Tripoli. On 6 May, the LNA announced a new aerial operation against the GNA dubbed “Operation Ababil Birds”. Throughout the week GNA-aligned Turkish drones launched aerial attacks on the LNA controlled Watiya airbase.
29 April – 5 May: LNA accepts Ramadan ceasefire
On 29 April, the LNA spokesperson, al-Mismari, announced that the LNA had agreed to a humanitarian truce for Ramadan. The GNA responded that it does not trust any ‘truce’ agreement made by the LNA. On 5 May, GNA-aligned forces began a ground assault on the LNA-controlled Watiya airbase south of Zuwara. On 30 April, a video was released showing the head of the HoR, Saleh, meeting with his fellow Obeidat tribal members to discuss his recent political initiative.
22 – 28 April: Haftar declares military rule
On 27 April, LNA head Khalifa Haftar claimed that the LNA had a “popular mandate” to rule Libya. Over the last week, there was a significant social response in the eastern region expressing support for the LNA and military rule. On 26 April, GNA-aligned forces allegedly launched aerial attacks on Watiya airbase, with several number of deaths reported. Throughout the last week, GNA-aligned forces have targeted the town of Tarhouna, as well as supply routes into the town near Bani Walid, with multiple airstrikes.
25 – 31 March: GNA launches “Operation Peace Storm”
On 25 March, GNA-aligned forces launched multiple coordinated assaults on LNA forces at Watiya airbase, in Abu Grein and in the south of Tripoli, in what has been dubbed as “Operation Peace Storm.” On 29 March, Libya’s National Centre for Disease Control confirmed eight cases of COVID-19 in Libya. Both the GNA in Tripoli and the eastern-based parallel government have imposed additional measures.
19 – 25 February: Second round of UN-mediated 5 + 5 JMC discussions concluded in Geneva
On 23 February, the second round of the UN-mediated 5 + 5 JMC discussions concluded in Geneva while the HoR and HCS both expressed reservations about the political track discussions due to start this week. On 22 February, the Zuwara municipality declared a state of emergency. The same day, heavy fighting broke out between anti-LNA forces and LNA forces 17km south of Ghariyan.
14 – 20 Aug: US Ambassador to Libya takes up post
The new US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, assumed his duties on 14 August. The UN investigated and condemned a LNA airstrike on Zuwara airport on 15 August.
14 – 20 Aug: LNA expands aerial assault in western Libya
LNA airstrikes in western Libya have increased over the last week, targeting sites in Zuwara, Abu Kammash, Tripoli and Misrata. In Murzuq, clashes between Tebu and LNA-aligned groups escalated, leading to widespread displacement.
29 May – 4 June: WHO states 607 people have been killed in Tripoli since 4 April
On 3 June, the WHO stated that 607 people have been killed in Tripoli since 4 April. On 3 June, Fayez al-Serraj claimed forces aligned to the GNA had made advances on all fronts against the LNA. On 2 June, the spokesman for the LNA claimed the LNA had “thwarted all counter-attack attempts carried out by the so-called GNA militias.” On 1 June, the GNA’s Western Military Region spokesperson stated that its forces were undertaking a new tactic. On 1 June, the head of the GNA’s Naval Forces dismissed the suggestion that the western maritime area was a military zone.
27 March – 2 April: Haftar states within two weeks there will be a unified government in Libya
On 29 March, Haftar states that within two weeks there will be a unified government in Libya. On 31 March, the LNA’s 155 Battalion, declared to the LNA Central Command its readiness for mobilising. On 30 March, elections for nine of the 69 municipals councils in southern and western Libya took place.
27 February – 5 March: UN leads meeting between Serraj and Haftar in Abu Dhabi to end transitional phase of government
On 27 February, Khalifa Haftar and Fayez al-Serraj met in Abu Dhabi under the auspice of the UN envoy to Libya where both parties agreed to end the transitional phase of government. The dialogue was openly supported by the international community and received a mixed response in Libya.
4 Apr – 10 Apr: UN release a report on armed groups control of prisons while UNSMIL launch first round of ‘consultative meetings’
On 10 April, the UN released a report exploring armed groups control of prisons in Libya, the subsequent torturing of detainees and how successive government in Tripoli have been inability to curtail these activities. On 5 April, UNSMIL launched its first round of ‘consultative meetings’ in Benghazi and Zuwara, as part of the UN-initiated Libya National Forum followed by meetings in Ghariyan and Brak al-Shatti on 7 April and in Abu Salim on 10 April.
21 – 27 Feb: US imposes sanction and signs MoU with GNA
On 26 February, the US imposed sanctions on several Libyan, Maltese and Egyptian firms, traders and ships reportedly participating in oil smuggling. On 23 February, the US and GNA signed an agreement to restrict the import of Libyan cultural property to the US.
14 – 20 Feb: GNA appoints new MoI, promotes AIOR commander and reorganizes security in Sirte, while the Supreme Court in Tripoli rules in CDA’s favour
On 15 February, in Tripoli Serraj dismissed the current GNA Minister of Interior al-Aref al-Khoja from his post and replaced him with his deputy minister Brigadier Abdussalam Ashour. The GNA also promoted Sabratha’s Anti ISIS Operation Room Commander Omar Abdul Jalil to Brigadier General and is actively reorganising security architecture Sirte. On 14 February, the Supreme Court in Tripoli ruled in favour of the CDA’s draft constitution.
3 – 9 Jan: Serraj and Salame meet while Germany destroys Qadhafi’s chemical weapons
On 8 January, Government of National Accord (GNA) head Fayez al-Serraj met with UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame in Tripoli to discuss the latest political developments in Libya. On 5 January, the German Foreign and Defense Ministries completed the destruction of components from Muammar al-Qadhafi’s chemicals weapons programme.
11-17 October: LNA claims more territory west of Tripoli
On 6 October a militia affiliated with theLNA, expelled the Anas Dabbashi militia from Sabratha and Mellitah Oil and Gas Complex, with the approval of the GNA. Local communities who support the LNA victory are demonstrating against the Sabratha Municipal Council, and are demanding that the mayor to resign. On 14 October, Haftar gave a speech at a gathering of security officials in Benghazi, and said that it was unlikely that the UN led political path was the only way forward, instead implying that a military solution “approved by the people” remains possible.
4-10 October: Protests Disrupt HoR Session Days Before Tunis Talks Due To Restart
On 6 October, the Anti-ISIS Operations Room, a force friendly with both GNA and LNA authorities, announced its control of Sabratha after defeating the Anas Dabbashi Brigade following three weeks of intense fighting that ultimately left 39 people dead and 300 others wounded. HoR meeting to discuss the LPA planned for 9 October, was postponed after protestors blocked the building entrances.
11-17 July: EU Works With Local Governments to Address Issues in Libya
Various sources report that Libyan general Ali Kanna visited Algerian foreign minister Abdelkader Messahel in Algiers last week. Mayor of Zintan and other western Libyan municipal leaders met with members of EU committee as part of their campaign to partner with local authorities to implement stabilization programmes. Italian MOI met with Zuwaran local officials in Tripoli to discuss possible Italian support and cooperation regarding the migration issue.
10 – 16 May: Anti-GNA Operation ‘Libya Honor’ Launched in Tripoli
Anti- GNA militias mobilized south of Tripoli and deployed forces to various locations in preparation for a new operation in the capital dubbed ‘Libya Honor’ while Serraj missed a scheduled meeting with Haftar in Cairo.
Anti — 25 July 2016
On 22 July, large demonstrations took place in Tripoli, Misrata, Zawiyya, Zuwara and others denouncing the discovery of French fighters acting in coordination with Khalifa Haftar as evidence of a French invasion, and breaching of the internationally recognized political agreement. Anti-Government of National Accord (GNA) forces are using the event to re-consolidate political forces that had fragmented after the GNA replaced the former Islamist-aligned General National Congress (GNC) in Tripoli on 30 March 2016… The credibility of the LNA took another severe hit after 14 bodies were discovered on 21 July in a rubbish dump in Benghazi, an area supposedly ‘liberated’ from ISIS in March 2016.
Other — 25 July 2016
Over the last two weeks, the Benghazi Defense Brigade (BDB) advanced to within 60 kilometers east of Benghazi, before reportedly retreating back to its base in Jufra, Libya on 22-23 July. The militia, which has enjoyed rising support in western Libya after it managed to take down an LNA helicopter with three French soldiers onboard on 17 July, is likely to conduct a new incursion into the oil crescent to retake oil wells from LNA-aligned forces and to mount another assault on Benghazi.
Western — 25 July 2016
On 21 July, French President Francois Hollande confirmed three French special forces soldiers had died in the downing of a Libyan National Army (LNA) helicopter on 17 July. The event, and subsequent revelation, unleashed large demonstrations on 22 July in a number of western Libyan cities against France and the Government of National Accord, reinvigorating hardline Islamists and revolutionary factions as a force of opposition to both the GNA and House of Representatives.
Action – 7 July 2014
Violence has continued, especially in Benghazi where General Khalifa Haftar is still battling it out against Islamist militants. Meanwhile, Tripoli and its environs have been witness to an increase in kidnappings and violence, with three Europeans being abducted this week from Zuwara. Insecurity has also persisted to the west of the capital with competing militias clashing.
Other – July 7 2014
Kidnappings and assassinations struck Tripoli and Benghazi. The Foreign Ministry remained under siege and fighting continued in Derna.