Libya - Weekly situation report 28 June - 4 July

Last week, Khalifa Haftar had ordered the all ports ‘liberated’ by LNA to be handed over to the Benghazi-based National Oil Corporation (NOC). U.S., UK, France and Italy in a joint statement demanded Libyan oil terminals be returned to UN-backed government. France, which has previously been seen as sympathetic to Haftar, is said to be furious with him, warning him he faces a political backlash if he continues on the current course. Following the coming of Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini on June 25th, Rome wished to open migrants sorting and detention centers in southern Libya. Despite Italian Ambassador to Libya, Giuseppe Perrone denied that Italy was planning to establish a military base in southern Libya, it seems that GNA planned to re-habilitate al-Wigh airbase positioned in the south near smuggling routes from Niger and Chad and used by thousands of migrants attempting to reach the African coastline. On the humanitarian side, almost 1350 people were rescued by Libyan Coast Guards and NGO ships off Libyan coast while at least 170 died or are presumed missing. In Derna, clashes continued in the urban center, despite Marshal Haftar announced the complete liberation of the city from DPF/DMSC on June 28th. In the Oil Crescent, most the brigades that came in reinforcement following the attack by the Benghazi Defend Brigade and Ibrahim Jadhran’s militia returned to their home camps in Ajdabiya and Benghazi. The death toll for LNA in Derna increased to 89 killed for June (53 in May) and 45 killed in the Oil Crescent operations. Security Forces of Sirte announced a state of alert after receiving information about suspicious movements of ISIS militants in the valleys southern of the city. Patrols were conducted and checkpoints set up in anticipation of any attack.

This report includes :
- Situation in eastern Libya
- Situation in western Libya
- Situation in southern Libya
- Humanitarian situation (refugees/migrants)
- Political aspects
- Demining activities
- Foreign military flights

3,99€

Libya - Weekly situation report 21 - 27 June 2018

Fighting are still going on in the urban center of Derna city. Remnants of DPF/DMSC harassed LNA units with SVBIEDs. 10 LNA members were killed in the city as a result of the final operations to control the city increasing the death toll to 80 killed for June in LNA ranks in Derna (53 killed in May). In the Oil Crescent, Marshall Khalifa Haftar ordered the launch of a counter-offensive operation against the ‘Benghazi Defence Brigades’ (BDB) backed by tribal fighters led by Ibrahim Jadhran and Chadian mercenaries. In one day, LNA forces retook the control of the oil infrastructures thanks to UAE support and probably France with ISR. Marshall Haftar lost 25 of his men due to clashes in the Oil Crescent bringing the total number of killed to 44. In Tripoli, tension is still high. The fear of confrontation between armed forces possibly the 301st Brigade and Abdul Ghani Al-Kikli's (“Ghneiwa”) militia on the airport road increases. On the political aspect, LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari stated that Khalifa Haftar had ordered the all ports ‘liberated’ by LNA to be handed over to the Benghazi-based National Oil Corporation (NOC). U.S., UK, France and Italy in a joint statement demanded Libyan oil terminals be returned to UN-backed government. Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini came in Tripoli to discuss migration with Interior Minister, Abdel Salam Ashour.

This report includes :
- Situation in eastern Libya
- Situation in the Oil Crescent
- Situation in western Libya
- Situation in southern Libya
- Humanitarian situation (refugees/migrants)
- Political aspects
- Demining activities
- Foreign military flights

3,99€

Libya - Weekly situation report 14 - 20 June 2018

On June 14th, forces of the so-called ‘Benghazi Defence Brigades’ (BDB) backed by tribal fighters led by Ibrahim Jadhran and Chadian mercenaries attacked Libya’s Oil Crescent Region. As-Sidra and Ras-Lanuf oil terminals were seized. Three oil reservoirs took fire after being hit by shell, one in As-Sidra and two in Al-Harouj oil storages of Ras-Lanuf. At least, 30 LNA members were killed in the fighting. In the early hours of the attack, LNA Air Force hi back with multiple airstrikes. The rapid progress of Haftar's troops in the Derna campaign has allowed half of the thirty brigades to be disengaged and reassigned immediately in the Oil Crescent. LNA claimed its air force performed between 10 to 15 air raids per day between Ras Lanuf and Sirte. Some of them were very accurate. The number of strikes (days and nights), as well as their precision suggests that they were not only due to the LNA, probably by UAE. Moreover, U.S. Air Force conducted a new precision airstrike near Bani Walid this time against al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The latest was carried out on June 6th by a drone 30 km southern Bani Walid against ISIS members including one leader of Islamic State in Sirte. In Tripoli, pro-GNA units are under pressure. RADA Special deterrent Forces as Nawazi Brigade were deployed many times close to the airport and on the road to Tajoura.

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

3,99€

Libya - Weekly situation report 7-13 June

The rapid progress of Haftar's troops in the Derna campaign has allowed a third of the thirty brigades to be disengaged. Nevertheless, the operations are not completed since fighting persists in the urban center. DPF militants have launched several suicide missions via SVIEDs on LNA positions in eastern Shiha neighbourhood. At least 20 LNA members were killed this week in Derna increasing the death toll to almost 87 since the beginning of the offensive. Part of the units that left the area were reassigned to other fronts, notably in the Oil Crescent which have been put on state of emergency on June 11th following reports claiming Saraya Defend Benghazi militants (also called Benghazi Defend Brigade) were prepared an attack on the oil terminals. Air strikes were carried out 60km south of Sirte city on 12th. Foreign aerial activities close to Libyan coast and over the country suggest that the threats on the oil infrastructure were taken very seriously. Indeed, French and US Boeing C-135 tankers performed refuelled missions the day of the strikes. Moreover, CAE Aviation’s King Air 350 ISR aircraft based at Al-Khadim is used to monitor the area. This aircraft was previously engaged over Derna the past month. The threat was confirmed on Thursday 14th when ‘Benghazi Defence Brigades’ (BDB) backed by tribal fighters led by Ibrahim Jadhran attacked As-Sidra terminal which was closed. In Western Libya, Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Gharian condemned France and UAE support for LNA in Derna and called for Jihad and rising money against them.

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

3,99€

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 26 April - 2 May

On May 2nd, two ISIS suicide bombers attacked and blew themselves up inside the Higher National Election Commission Headquarter in Ghout Shaal district of Tripoli. Sixteen people were killed (including 5 HNEC employees and 4 members of the security forces) and nineteen other wounded. UAE might have been involved in airstrikes in Derna using a drone (Wing Loong) on Monday 30th according DMSC spokesman. On April 29th, a Libyan Air Cargo company C-130 Hercules coming from Mitiga, chartered by Oil Repsol company crashed due to technical failure after taking off from Sharara oilfield near Ubari in southwestern Libya. Three crew members were killed and one wounded. This Libyan Air Cargo C-130 has had another incident three days before the crash when the main cargo door opened during the flight.

This report includes : - Situation in southern Libya - Situation in eastern Libya - Situation in western Libya - Coast guards activities - Foreign military flights - Demining activities To access to the full PDF report (1,501 words, 11 pages), please contact Arnaud Delalande

Libya - Weekly situation report 19-25 April

Despite LNA spokesperson, Ahmed al-Mesmari, announced on Wednesday that Marshall Khalifa Haftar will arrive to Benghazi on Thursday 26th, uncertainties remain about his health and his ability to lead the Libyan National Army in the near future. The coming battle for the liberation of the city of Derna will test the cohesion of this army. Despite the ceasefire, fighting resumed around the city of Sebha. In Tripoli, Mitiga International Airport was shelled again by Bogra militia. In Bani Walid area, the LNA Air Force carried out three air-strikes on a camp occupied by the so-called ‘Benghazi Defence Brigades’ near al-Saddada. In Derna, fighting between LNA and DMSC militants increased.

This report includes : - Situation in southern Libya - Situation in eastern Libya - Situation in western Libya - Coast guards activities - Foreign military flights - Demining activities To access to the full PDF report (1,708 words, 14 pages), please contact Arnaud Delalande

Libya - Weekly situation report 12-18 April

Following the admission of Field-Marshall Khalifa Haftar in a military hospital in Paris, his fate remained unclear as contradicting sources reported his death while his supporters denied it. Wednesday in the evening, French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said in a closed meeting for the French government that Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar was in good health after receiving treatment. The same day, the convoy of Marshall Haftar’s Chief of Staff - Abdul Razek al-Nadori - was hit by a VBIED as it was passing through Sidi Khalifah, north of Benghazi killing one and injuring two. Al-Nadori announced few days before the begining of the military operation to storm the city of Derna.

This report includes : - Situation in southern Libya - Situation in eastern Libya - Situation in western Libya - Coast guards activities - Foreign military flights - Demining activities To access to the full PDF report (1,397 words, 9 pages), please contact Arnaud Delalande

Libya - Weekly situation report 5-11 April

Field-Marshall Khalifa Haftar was announced hospitalizing in Paris. In southern Libya, the LNA’s 6th Infantry Brigade declared a unilateral ceasefire. The Tebu Council of Elders said they had agreed to a ceasefire due to efforts made by Fezzan towns/villages Council of Elders throughout the previous week. Fighting intensified in eastern Libya between LNA and Derna Mujahideen Shura Council. LNA has sent reinforcements toward the city : the 106th, 128th, 155th, 166th Infantry Brigade and the Tariq Bin Ziyad Brigade were ordered to go in the area. A large number of tanks (including T-55s) and tank-transporters have been deployed for the "final" battle announced by the LNA for several days.

This report includes : - Situation in southern Libya - Situation in eastern Libya - Situation in western Libya - Coast guards activities - Foreign military flights - Demining activities To access to the full PDF report (1,483 words, 12 pages), please contact Arnaud Delalande

Libya - Weekly situation report 29 March - 4 April

Reliable reports confirmed the collaboration between the two governments in the fighting against Chadian militia in southern Libyan. Fighting are still ongoing in Sebha between the 6th Infantry Brigade and Chadian militia. Tension increased in Tripoli when Tripoli Revolutionary Brigade and the 42nd Brigade clashed with the “Kanyat” 7th Infantry Brigade. President Council spokesman announced the launch of a military operation “Nation Storm” to pursue remnants of ISIS. An Islamic State SVBIED detonated at the eastern entrance of the city of Ajdabiya killing seven people and injuring nine.

This report includes : - Situation in southern Libya - Situation in eastern Libya - Situation in western Libya - Coast guards activities - Foreign military flights - Demining activities To access to the full PDF report (2,014 words, 11 pages), please contact Arnaud Delalande

Libya - Weekly situation report 22-28 March

The ninth airstrike in Libya under Trump administration was performed last weekend by a US Air Force drone in Ubari killing at least two AQIM leaders including Musa Abu Dawud. The Libyan National Army continued to bring reinforcement in the Southern zone by airlifting troops and vehicles from Benina airbase toward Brak al-Shai airport. LNA Air Force maintained the pressure against Chadian armed groups by targeting their positions in the Sebha region. In Tripoli, some forces of the Zintani Brigades were deployed on the outskirts of Tripoli International Airport. In eastern region, Derna continued to suffer artillery shells bombardment.

This report includes : - Situation in southern Libya - Situation in eastern Libya - Situation in western Libya - Coast guards activities - Foreign military flights - Demining activities To access to the full PDF report (1,635 words, 8 pages), please contact Arnaud Delalande

Libya - Weekly situation report 15-21 March

The Libyan National Army has launched its “law enforcement operations” in southern Libya by deploying reinforcement on the Brak al-Shati airbase. Shells continue to fall in several parts of the city of Sebha. In eastern of the country, LNA members suffered an attack by militants of the Derna Mujahideen Shoura Council (DMSC) which captured tanks and vehicles. Libyan coast guards rescued about 200 migrants while an incident occurred with a Spanish NGO ship which was rescuing 216 migrants in international waters. Coast guards also intercepted a Greek oil tanker with the flag of Togo which was carrying about 950,000 litres of fuel.

This report includes : - Situation in southern Libya - Situation in eastern Libya - Situation in western Libya - Coast guards activities - Foreign military flights - Demining activities To access to the full PDF report (1,300 words, 7 pages), please contact Arnaud Delalande

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