The Libyan National Army: assessment and mapping of the ground forces

The Libyan National Army: assessment and mapping of the ground forces
Version : October 2018
Number of pages : 13 (3200 words)

19,99€

More than four years after the split of the two governments that brought East and West Libya into a civil war and almost three years after the signing of the UN-brokered "Libyan Political Accord" (LPA) in Skhirat, Morocco, which has confirmed the House of Representatives (HoR) as an internationally recognized parliament in Libya, and institutionalized a Government of National Accord (GNA) with a Presidential Council (PC), Libya is still not a stabilized state and most warring factions are fragmented each with their own agenda.  The LPA was supposed to expire two years after a vote of confidence by the House of Representatives, but since the agreement has not yet been approved by the HoR, some consider it still in force. The armed wing of the HoR is the so-called Libyan National Army commanded by Marshal Khalifa Haftar. It is actually a group of militia around a regular army nucleus representing a force of around 25,000 men. It does not form a solid and coherent block. Each militia has its agenda and its ambitions.

L'Armée Nationale Libyenne : évaluation et cartographie des forces terrestres

L'Armée Nationale Libyenne : évaluation et cartographie des forces terrestres
Version : Octobre 2018
Nombre de pages : 13 (3470 mots)

19,99€

Plus de quatre ans après la scission des deux gouvernements qui a amené la Libye orientale et occidentale dans une guerre civile et près de trois ans après la signature de « l'Accord politique libyen » négocié par l'ONU (LPA) à Skhirat, au Maroc, qui a confirmé la Chambre des Représentants (HoR) en tant que parlement internationalement reconnu en Libye, et institutionnalisé un gouvernement d'accord national (GNA) avec un Conseil présidentiel (PC), la Libye n'est toujours pas un état stabilisé et la plupart des factions belligérantes sont fragmentées chacune d'entre elles ayant leur propre agenda. Le LPA était censé expirer expiré deux ans après un vote de confiance par la Chambre des représentants, mais l'accord n'ayant pas encore été approuvé par le HoR, certains considèrent qu’il est toujours en vigueur. Le bras armé du HoR est la soi-disant Armée Nationale Libyenne commandé par le Maréchal Khalifa Haftar. Elle n’est en fait qu’un regroupement de milices autour d’un noyau d’armée régulière représentant une force de 25 000 hommes environs. Elle ne forme pas un bloc solide et cohérent. Chaque milice a son agenda et ses ambitions.

Libya - Weekly situation report 31 May - 6 June

The battle for the liberation of Derna is still going on. Fighting intensified this week. LNA forces have progressed rapidly in several neighbourhoods in the urban area. According to LNA spokesman, 75% of the city has been captured to DPF militants. In southern Libya, armed groups believed to belong to Chadian opposition and Benghazi Defend Brigade attempted to storm Tamanhint airbase in the hand of LNA. LNA and local forces in Brak al-Shati are on high alert after suspicious military movements were reported in the area, to anticipate a possible attack on the military infrastructures by Chadian and other foreign militias. In western Libya, a US Air Force drone carried out an air strike 30 km southern Bani Walid targeting a car and killing four people including Abdul Ati Ashtewi Abustah, one leader of Islamic State in Sirte. Two Sirte residents were killed between Waddan and Zillah by presumed ISIS militants. Many ISIS movements have been reported toward Haruj and Tmassah. In the Oil Crescent area, ISIS members carried out an attack on police station in Qanan.

This report includes :

- Situation in southern Libya

- Situation in eastern Libya

- Situation in western Libya

- Coast guards activities

- Foreign military flights

- Demining activities

3,99€

Libya - Weekly situation report 24 - 30 May

On 29 May, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a summit in Paris about Libya designed to bring together GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj, President of the HoR Agilah Saleh, President of the HCS Khaled Mishri, and Commander of the LNA, Marshal Khalifa Haftar. After the summit, it was announced that an agreement was found to hold parliamentary and presidential elections on December 10th, 2018. On May 24th, a VBIED detonated on Jamal Abdel Nasser Street beside the Kashafa Park and near Tibesty Hotel in Benghazi killing eight people and wounded 20. This attack is the second VBIED explosion in less than 18 months and the fourth in Benghazi this year. In Derna, LNA took control of al-Fatayah neighbourhood, western entrance of the city and Temsket. At least 13 LNA members were killed and 21 wounded this week increasing the death toll to about 45 killed in four weeks of fighting. Seven civilians were killed by a landmine while trying to get out of the city.

This report includes :

- Situation in southern Libya

- Situation in eastern Libya

- Situation in western Libya

- Coast guards activities

- Foreign military flights

- Demining activities

3,99€

Libya - Weekly situation report 17 - 23 May

The past week, ISIS proved again that its members were still very active in the Ajdabiya region by attacking two LNA military checkpoints in the southern axis. Heavy fighting are still ongoing around Derna. According to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Libya (OCHA), since the latest escalation of armed conflict in Derna on May 15th, at least six civilians were killed and 14 injured. In three weeks of fighting, the death toll in LNA ranks increased to 39, including 15 during the past week. In Tripoli, four improvised explosive devices (IED) ready for detonation were dismantled at the highway in Abu Salim area and near the ministry of justice in Souq Tulata. Seven members of the People's Front for the Liberation of Libya (linked to Saif Islam Gadhafi) were arrested in joint operation.

This report includes : - Situation in southern Libya - Situation in eastern Libya - Situation in western Libya - Coast guards activities - Foreign military flights - Demining activities 3,99€

Libya - Weekly situation report 10 - 16 May

Fighting between Libyan National Army brigades and "Derna Protection Force" (former Derna Mujahideen Shura Council) militants are still ongoing in and around the city of Derna. Following the latest reinforcement, LNA Omar Mukhtar Operations Room has now about twenty brigades in the area (on almost hundred LNA units). LNA claimed seized Al-Hila, al-Fatayeh, suburbs of Sie Aziz, Sie Aoun, al-Khabta and the Haysha camp. Ground forces are supported by LNA Air Force and UAE Wing Loong drones and AT-802s turboprop aircraft flying from al-Khadim airbase in al-Marj. In Sebha, fighting continued in and around the historic castle which was partly destroyed. Since the beginning of May, more than 31 people have been killed and 121 wounded in the clashes. In western Libya, several networks of migrant traffickers were dismantled by Zuwara Police Forces seizing several boats and engines.

This report includes : - Situation in southern Libya - Situation in eastern Libya - Situation in western Libya - Coast guards activities - Foreign military flights - Demining activities 3,99€

Libya - Weekly situation report 3 - 9 May

AQIM is preparing to broadcast a statement from Libya to Mauritania threatening “Western companies and particularly France who plunder these countries”. In Derna, LNA forces lost about ten soldiers in fighting with DMSC militants. During the commemoration of the 4th anniversary of Dignity Operation, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar declared zero hour campaign for Derna. ISIS militants carried out a suicide attack at Gate 90 east of Sirte using three vehicles; only one detonated, the two others escaped. Three people were killed : one LNA member and two civilian. In Benina airbase, the ceremony for the 4th anniversary of Operation Dignity took place on May 7th with 7,000 LNA members. Libyan Coast Guards rescued about 900 illegal migrants off western Libya coasts between May 4th and May 7th.

This report includes : - Situation in southern Libya - Situation in eastern Libya - Situation in western Libya - Coast guards activities - Foreign military flights - Demining activities 3,99€

Libya - Weekly situation report 8-14 March

The situation in the Sabha region is still unsafe. Heavy fighting are still ongoing between Tebu and Awlad Suliman militias. The Libyan National Army loyal to Field-Marshall Haftar uses Mi-35 helicopters to performed armed-reconnaissance mission over the city.  In the Ajdabiya area, Islamist State militants claimed an attack against a LNA checkpoint and fighting continued in the perimeter of the city of Derna. Off Tripoli, 575 refugees and migrants were rescued by Libyan Coast Guard vessels.

To access to the full PDF report (720 words, 5 pages), please contact Arnaud Delalande

Libyan National Army still loads its Mi-8s with cluster bombs

New photos published last weekend confirmed that the Libyan National Army  Air Force (LNA/AF) still uses cluster bombs. The photos below show one Mi-8T helicopter loaded with a RBK-250 under the right stub wing on Saturday, September 10, evening. The same night, LNA/AF media confirmed that one of its Mi-8s carried out air strike near the Acyl resort targeting supposed concentrations of IS and armed allied militias. This is the seventh time that the use of cluster munitions is reported in Libya.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 9 - 20 July 2016

This period was characterized by the lost of one LNA AF Mi-17 from al-Abraq air base on 17th July killing three crew members (pilot Capt Omar Drissi, co-pilot Boubacar Omar al-Hassi and air engineer Fathi Warfali. The Sherkasi’s DBB (Defend Benghazi Brigades) Militia (also named Saraya Defend Benghazi or SDB) claimed to have down a Mi-35 'Hind' with a SA-7, but pictures of the wreckage published on the social media show clearly a Mi-17.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 25 June - 1 July 2016

Two events are worth noting this week. The first is a temporary ceasefire agreement between MSCD and LNA signed by General Haftar, Agila Saleh and facilitator Basit Igtet on 27th June. The second was the overflying of Benghazi by a unidentified MQ-9 Reaper armed drone on 29th.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 18 - 24 June 2016

No information was provided by GNA AF this week. Only two photos taken by BBC correspondent, Quentin Sommerville, currently in Sirte, showing one of the two MiG-23MLD and one S100 Camcopter belonging to GNA in the sky of the city.