SNE Special Projects have operated within Libya since the revolution of 2011 and are a fully licensed security provider working with our Libyan partner company. We have kept our permanent British & Libyan Country Management Team in Tripoli throughout the last few difficult months, supporting our clients staff and critical infrastructure and offering up to date, regular and accurate reporting throughout this period. We are now in a strong position to advise and support our clients as they look to plan their re-entry back into Libya as and when the current situation stabilises and allows for remobilization and we have a vast amount of experience of supporting clients from the media, telecoms, power generation & NGO sectors. For more information on our services within Libya please email us at specialprojects@snegroup.co.uk
SNE Libya Security Summary
The U.N. played down the absence of the GNC representatives as the second round of political talks started in Geneva on Monday stating that only the site of the talks was a point of contention. Despite an announcement from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announcing on the 25 January that a new round of national talks would commence, violence has intensified yet again with renewed clashes in the Oil Crescent which seems to have dashed hopes that the unilateral ceasefires announced last week by Libya Dawn commanders from Misrata as well as the Libyan Army could bring calm to the region.
A diplomatic police officer was killed by gunmen guarding the United Nations Development Programme offices in Tripoli. The Dat al Imad office complex received threats that its facilities would be destroyed. The Souq al Thalat Shopping Centre (also known as the Tuesday Market) was destroyed by a massive fire on 20 January, as yet the cause is unknown however as electrical fire in the bakery is suspected as well as claim by an IS group on social media that it was targeted by them.
Strengthening of operations in Benghazi by the Libyan National Army (LNA) has also resulted in the deaths of multiple soldiers and civilians. Reports state that Islamist extremist militants and pro-Libyan Army forces continue to fight for control of the central al Sabri district and the eastern area of Laithi. As the Libyan Army strengthened its assault on Benghazi Shura council positions, Islamist militants allegedly began firing missiles at random from the areas of Laithi and Buhdeima. The Ministry of Health announced that at least sixteen individuals were killed as a result of the fighting, including seven civilians when shells landed on their homes.
Fighting has continued in Western Libya with reports suggesting that the LNA had carried out air strikes against Libya Dawn targets in Bir Ghanam which are located approximately 60km south of Zawia. While clashes were also reported in the area of al Ajaylat on 24 January. Zintani forces alkigned with the LNA / HoR claimed the previous day to have made advances after it allegedly launched a surprise attack south-west of al Ajaylat. Al Ajaylat is located 40km west of Zawia. These latest clashes follow previous fighting in Sabratha, Obar and near the Sharara Oil Field, given the resumption of clashes despite the ceasefire announcement, it is possible that other previous areas of contention in Western Libya could also witness more fighting, such as along the Tunisian border and near the pro-Libyan Army Zintani-controlled al Wattiya Air Base.
Kidnappings seem to be on the rise throughout Libya with several abductions being reported this past week. In particular was the report that men claiming to be police officers abducting the Deputy Foreign Minister of the House of Representatives in Al Bayda. Hassan Alsaghir, was taken from the Marhaba Hotel in Beida, where he had been staying. According to hotel staff, three armed men claiming to be police officers arrived at the hotel around 02.30 in the morning and announced that they had a warrant for Alsaghir’s arrest before forcing their way into the Deputy Foreign Minister’s room. The staff also reported that the men beat Alsaghir before removing him from the hotel room. Some reports have suggested that Alsaghir has since been released, but this has yet to be independently verified or confirmed.
Anti-Sahmain former Congress members to meet in Tunis - Members of the General National Congress who are not part of the rump group that reject the House of Representatives and are continuing to hold sessions in Tripo-li are planning to meet next week in Tunis, according to Abdussalam Nassiyah.
Libyan envoy to Egypt Fayez Jibril stated that he has not been replaced and is still Libya1s ambassador to Egypt. It had been reported by the pro-Thinni government offices of the Libyan news agency LANA based in Beida that he was being replaced by Mohamed Salah, the Libyan Consul-General in Alexandria. According to Jibril and other sources in Cairo who wished to not be named, the report was incorrect and he remains in post.
Due to the current ongoing unstable and unpredictable situation within Libya, SNE are recommending that clients only carry out business essential travel to Libya at present and these trips should only be undertaken within Tripoli city limits and no movement should be attempted in the hours of darkness or near the area of Tripoli International Airport and surroundings districts which have been affected by the fighting and are currently controlled by the Libya Dawn militia group.
We are advising No movement to the western area of Libya in and around Kikla and Rujban and other sur-rounding areas where fighting is still ongoing between the Zintan and Libya Dawn militia groups. Sporadic fighting between rival tribal factions is also currently ongoing in the areas of Ubari, Sabha & Murzuq and we are advising our clients Not to travel to these southern areas at present.
We are still presently advising NO travel should be made to Benghazi until the current situation shows signs of stability and Operation Dignity forces have full control of the city and transportation methods of entering and leaving Benghazi are open and fully operational again.
SNE are supporting our clients at present in Tripoli with business essential travel visits and are offering a full turnkey security risk management, safe transportation with secure accommodation and life support pack-age based from our Tripoli villa.
The British FCO and US State Department are still advising against travel to Libya and are monitoring the security and political situation before considering remobilisation plans back into 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 requests and provide up to date accurate in-formation 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 and political 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.
To discuss further how SNE can support your projects in Libya please contact us by email at specialprojects@snegroup.co.uk or call our Dubai office on +971 44561542 / +971 503786803
