The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has continued to claim that peace talks intended to start last week will go ahead in the near future, the conflict worsened further throughout the weekend as Libya Dawn forces launched a major offensive on two of Libya’s largest oil ports (Ras Lanuf and Es Sider) on 13 December 2014.
Pro-government Libyan Army forces responded with air strikes on Libya Dawn positions close to Sirte, which a Libya Dawn spokesman claimed killed at least two militiamen and wounded several more. Clashes have been ongoing in the area, and the National Oil Corporation (NOC) has declared force majeure over the Ras Lanuf and Es Sider oil terminals.
The development further threatens the planned peace talks, as the Tobruk-based House of Representatives released a statement accusing the Libya Dawn militias of having launched the attack in conjunction with a Sirte-based Ansar al Sharia branch.
Meanwhile violence has continued in Western Libya, as an ongoing battle for control of the Ras Jedir border crossing at the Tunisian border has seen the location change hands several times over the past few days. It appears that the Libya Dawn coalition is in control of the area, but air strikes are ongoing.
In Benghazi, violence has been mostly contained in the Hawari and Safasafa districts, while Benghazi Shura Council militiamen have continued to plant booby traps in residential homes in al Sabri. Sources in the city of Ajdabiya reported an explosion which hit the eastern gate late on 14 December 2014, although few details have been released regarding the incident.
Due to the current ongoing unstable situation within Tripoli, SNE recommends that only business essential travel and movements should be undertaken within the Tripoli city limits at present and no movement should be attempted in the hours of darkness or near the area of Tripoli International Airport and surroundings areas which have been affected by the fighting.
We are supporting clients at present in Tripoli with business essential travel visits and are offering a full turnkey risk management and transportation with accommodation and life support package based from our Tripoli villa. We are advising No movement to the western area of Libya in and around Kikla and Rujban and other surrounding areas where fighting is ongoing between the Operation Dignity and Libya Dawn militia groups.
Fighting is also currently ongoing in the areas of Ubari, Sabha & Murzuq and we are advising our clients Not to travel to these areas at present.
SNE is advising NO travel should be made to Benghazi until the current situation shows signs of stability.
The British FCO and US State Department are advising against travel to Libya.
SNE remains fully operational on the ground within Tripoli, where our British Country Management Team are able to support any of our existing and additional clients on request, or provide up to date accurate information and analysis on the ever changing situation to those clients who are currently out of country monitoring the situation with an aim to re-deploying when the security situation allows.
Before considering travel to Libya, an itinerary specific pre-travel risk assessment including mitigation measures are recommended. In-country personnel should be confident in their evacuation procedures and crisis management plans and in light of the current situation these should be checked and updated where necessary with the appropriate level of support in country to activate the plans when required.
SNE RECOMMENDATIONS
Due to the current ongoing unstable situation within Tripoli, SNE recommends that only business essential travel and movements should be undertaken within the Tripoli city limits at present and no movement should be attempted in the hours of darkness or near the area of Tripoli International Airport and surroundings areas which have been affected by the fighting.
We are supporting clients at present in Tripoli with business essential travel visits and are offering a full turnkey risk management and transportation with accommodation and life support package based from our Tripoli villa. We are advising No movement to the western area of Libya in and around Kikla and Rujban and other surrounding areas where fighting is ongoing between the Operation Dignity and Libya Dawn militia groups.
Fighting is also currently ongoing in the areas of Ubari, Sabha & Murzuq and we are advising our clients not to travel to these areas at present.
SNE is advising NO travel should be made to Benghazi until the current situation shows signs of stability.
The British FCO and US State Department are advising against travel to Libya.
