Other — 20 June 2016

Jun 20, 2016 | Other Jihadi Actors

Two key types of non-state actors may now be identified vis-a-vis theLibyan National Army (LNA): The first group is comprised of Islamist actors in the cities of Benghazi, Derna and Ajdabiya, (including ISIS, Ansar Al Sharia, Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council, Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council, Benghazi Defense Brigade and the Ajdabiya Liberation Operation Room. The second group consists of militias that were once aligned with Khalifa Haftar, who have opted to support the Government of National Accord instead.  Conflict is likely to continue unabated in Benghazi between the LNA and these groups, and may escalate further in Derna and Ajdabiya in the short term.

The LNA offensive continues to face fierce resistance from ISIS, Ansar Al Sharia and the Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council in Sabri and Souq Al-Hout. In Derna, the port remains closed and unlikely to reopen in the near term, due to the escalation of conflict between the LNA and the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council. Another LNA airstrike in Derna on 13 June, claiming more civilian lives, has deepened the population’s discontent with the LNA, however this week saw no direct clashes.