1 August – 7 August: South Korea launches naval ship to Libya in “show of force”

Aug 7, 2018 | International actors

On 2 August, South Korean redirected the naval ship “Munmu the Great” from anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden to Libya in order to protect South Korean commercial vessels. This action is thought to be a “show of force” in response to a video released on 31 July showing footage of a Korean technician and three Filipinos under duress after being kidnapped at the Man-Made River al-Hassouna plant near Ash Shwayrif on 6 July. The Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has also said that he may also follow South Korea’s lead and send a naval ship to the Libyan coast, though recent report suggest they may send officials instead. The armed group responsible and the location of the captives remain unknown.