"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 19 - 30 September 2016

Two major events can be noticed during this period : the loss of Libyan National Army Air Force (LNA / AF) Mi-8T serial number '1432' (with three crew members and three passenger killed) and the death of civilian in an airstrike near al Jufrah by unidentified aircrafts.

Libyan MiG-23ML has dropped two RBK-250s cluster bombs in Oil Crescend area today

Since the seize of oil terminal headquarters of the Oil Crescent between Saturday and Monday and Sidra and Ras Lanuf oil terminal towns from the central region’s Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG), the Libyan National Army Air Force (LNA/AF) engaged its fighter jets for armed reconnaissance sortie in support of the ground forces to secure the oil area. This morning, the MiG-23ML serial '26453' was engaged in such missions in Brega, Ras Lanuf, Sidra and south of the ground forces after the port of Sidra. The aircraft was loaded with two SAMP French made bombs and two RBK-250s cluster bombs. Such munition were already used on Mi-8Ts the last weekend and on MiG-21s in Mid-August.

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 10 - 31 August 2016

Following the death of commander of Misrata Air Force, Brigadier General Mukhtar Fakroun and Colonel Omar Dogha, in the crash of their L-39 near university of Sirte on 10th August, Air Force emergency operations room has commissioned pilot Mohammed Umesh as spokesman on 15th. Very few activities were reported by aircraft affiliated to GNA (Government of National Accord).

New evidence of the using of cluster bombs in Libya

Official photos from the Libyan National Army, published on Aug. 15, 2016, indicate that the LNA is using cluster munitions in Libya.

The LNA, headed by Gen. Khalifa Haftar — a former officer in the regime of Muammar Gaddafi — has pledged allegiance to the House of Representatives faction in Tobruk, one of many competing political entities in Libya.

In May 2014, the LNA launched Operation Dignity, its ongoing campaign against Islamist armed groups in Benghazi and Derna. Now we can reasonably assert that this campaign involves cluster munitions, which spread small explosives over a wide area and risk disproportionately endangering civilians.

The Libyan National Army’s Planes and Helicopters Are Scattering Cluster Munitions Across Libya

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 21 July - 10 August 2016

This period was caracterized by the 'official' engagement of US aircrafts in the battle of Sirte on 1st August and the death of commander of Misrata Air Force, Brigadier General Mukhtar Fakroun and Colonel Omar Dogha, in the crash of their L-39 near university of Sirte and claimed shot down by IS on 10 August.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 2 - 8 July 2016

Very little communication on air strikes this week from GNA affiliated Air Force, but many were performed each day. The main information from the LNA Air Force side, is the lost of one of its two MiG-23BNs (probably serial number '4136') and especially one of its most experienced pilots, colonel Idriss Al Obeidi well known for his low pass onboard Floggers.

"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 11 - 17 June 2016

Very little communication on air strikes this week from LNA AF and no information was provided by GNA AF. First footage of a new MiG-21MF (serial number '04') appeared on 11th June. This aircraft is probably one of the six ex-Egyptian MiG-21MFs arrived at Gamal Abdel Nasser airbase near Tobruk on 6th March 2016. First photo was taken at GANAB and second is extracted from a video taken at al-Albraq AB.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 4 - 10 June 2016

GNA forces offensive against ISIS in Sirte

GNA affiliated forces continued their offensive in Sirte last week capturing key points near the city. On 4th June, Misrata militia captured Al Gardabiya airbase. Shortly before, the GNA Air Force performed five successful airstrikes in Al Gardabiya, Abu Hadi and south of Sirte. Libyan fighter jets carried out five other strikes against concentrations of ISIS militants in the vicinity of runway 17. Another five strikes were made against militants fleeing from Al Gardabiya airbase, bringing the number of offensive sorties to ten.

Pictures of airstrikes from LDAF on ISIS positions west of Al-Gardabiya base, south of Sirte (approx 20 km)

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 28 May - 3 June 2016

During this week, the GNA Air Force intensified its airstrikes against ISIS positions in Sirte in support of ground troops. It was during one of these air raids that a Mirage F1ED crashed 30 km west of the city of Sirte due to a fuel pump failure. GNA has also lost an air ambulance Mi-8T (serial number '8334') that crashed near Zuwara, west of Tripoli without casualties yesterday.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 14 - 20 May 2016

On 16th May 2016, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council expressed their willingness to discontinue the arms embargo in favor of the Government of National Accord (GNA) to fight IS (Isalmic State). The next day, GNA through the Deputy Prime Minister Musa al-Kony has asked for planes and helicopters. This embargo is in effect since the beginning of the Libyan uprising via resolution 1970 adopted by the Security Council on 26th February  2011. It covers the arms and related material of all types - weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, equipment paramilitary and related spare parts (an exclusion applies to non-lethal equipment, technical assistance, training or financial support for the government of Libya through resolution 2009 of 16th September 2011 and the resolution of 2095 of 14th March 2013).

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 7 - 13 May 2016

The situation update of this week is characterized by multiple events. Airstrikes were very intense in Benghazi, Derna by LNA AF (Libyan National Army Air Force) and in Abu Grein area by LDAF (Libya Dawn Air Force). In addition, the first images of new MiG-23 being refurbished appeared.

New MiG-23s for LNA AF

After the commissioning of one MiG-23ML and two MiG-23BNs the last months, mechanicians and engineers started working on MiG-23UB serial number '8008' and MiG-23BN serial number '9119'. This aircraft has no refueling probe contrary to MiG-23BNs serial '4136' and '8985'.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 9 - 15 April 2016

During the past seven days, air operations have intensified compared to previous week. In the early morning hours of 9th April, Libyan National Army Air Force fighter jets carried out sorties with high accuracy on terrorist groups holed up inside the University of Benghazi and Nowruz resort. They also performed airstrikes in the vicinity of the cement plant and Souk El Hout.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 2 - 8 April 2016

This week saw a significant events in Libya : the non-recognized (internationally) Tripoli government decided to step down. The following weeks will be interesting : Are there still going to be a separate LNA AF and LDAF ?

Operations

Otherwise, air operations continued. On 1st April, Mi-35P serial number "193" made an emergency landing due to technical problem. The crew was safe and rescue by a Mi-8 from Labraq AB. The "Hind" was in good condition and guarded by local militias pending the arrival of maintenance technicians who made the repairs on site. The helicopter took off again two days after.

The two crew members of Mi-35P serial number "193" (Credit : LNA AF)

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 29 March - 1 April 2016

After the destruction of seven bulldozers/technicals during the night from 28th to 29th March by Mi-8 and Mi-35 helicopters, Libyan National Army Air Force launched new airstrikes with MiG-21MF serial number "18" equipped with two UB-16-57 S5 rocket pods and MiG-21UM loaded with two unguided bombs.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 26-28 March 2016

The air force of Tobruk governement (Libyan National Army Air force) continued its airstrikes against terrorist groups in Benghazi during all the weekend. On Saturday 26th, MiG-21MF serial number "18" carried out one mission from Tobruk AB in the outskirts of Benghazi using French made 400kg Type 21C SAMP aerial unguided bombs. On Sunday, the same aircraft was engaged in another airstrikes carrying S-24 rockets (diameter 24 cm or 9.4 inches), while MiG-23ML serial number "453" took off from Labraq AB.

Libyan National Army uses Agusta A109 helicopters for recce and assisting bombing missions

Two days ago, this blog published the video of Mi-8 and Mi-35 airstrikes in Benghazi seen through the FLIR of two unidentified aircrafts. It seems that one of these aircrafts was an Agusta A109 helicopters in service in the Police. Libyan National Army uses them for recce and assisting bombing missions against terrorist groups.

Mi-8T seen through the FLIR of an Agusta A109 helicopter during a bombing mission

Exclusive footage of Libyan National Army Mi-8 and Mi-35 engaged against terrorist groups in Benghazi

Yesterday, the Libyan National Army Air Force published a video showing the supposed airstrikes mission of two helicopters against Kharijites and Qaibdna terrorists group in Benghazi. At the begining of the video, a Mi-8T equipped with French made 250kg Type 25A1 SAMP aerial unguided bomb can be seen together with the Mi-35 serial #858, a former LAF "Hind". At 00:50, a Mi-35P (one of the last delivered by U.A.E. in April 2015) is taking off, while a Air Ambulance Mi-8 and an armed "Hip" do the same at 01:05 and 01:15. These helicopters are probably not the same seen in the rest of this video montage. Starting 02:08, static footage of the FLIR of an unidentify aircraft (Mi-8 ? Mi-35 ?) show a precision strike against a building occuped by militants (a tank can be seen nearby). The last part of the video is the supposed strike back off the two helicopters (in fact another montage).

Libyan National Army used night vision systems and RBK-250 cluster bombs on its helicopters for night combat missions

Since March 7th, 2016, the Libyan National Army Mi-8 and Mi-35 helicopters are equipped with night vision systems to performe airstrikes by night according to Libyan pilot officers. In the late hours of the night of March 8th, LNA AF helicopters may have destroyed two bulldozers western city of Benghazi, near the resort jewel, using this night vision system. The bulldozers were loaded with fighters and ammunition in support of the so-called SCBR (Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries) and has been monitored since the morning.

Mi-8T equipped with RBK-250 cluster bomb seen at Benina AB ready to take off in the late hours of the night of March 8th

During the evening of March 9th, LNA Air Force launched airstrikes on military targets scattered in the city of Benghazi, terrorist militias in the area around the cement factory area at Hawari.