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. 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
Reports are stating that delegates to the UNSMIL brokered dialogue talks will fly in to Ghadames on Wednesday for a one-day session and then fly out the same day. According to one of the delegates, the lack of accommodation and security issues were the reasons for the short stay. Additionally, the meeting in Ghadames is said to be largely symbolic and to appease the GNC aligned delegates. Comments by the prime minister of the rival self-declared National Salvation Government (NSG), Omar al Hassi, during an interview on 03 February seem to indicate an increasing fragmentation among opponents of the HoR as well as a decreasing ability of the NSG to influence its supporters or control the Libya Dawn Militia groups.
Reports this last week indicate that the House of Representatives (HoR) is making efforts to strengthen its military relationship with Russia as the special ambassador for the House of Representative’s President Ageela Salah Gwaider announced during a press conference in Moscow that he hoped Russia could provide both training and weapons for the Libyan Army.
Libya has experienced another week of intense and prolonged fighting mainly within the East of the country (Benghazi). In a recent statement by Operation Dignity commanders and General Haftar, it was made clear the Libyan National Army under the Operation Dignity banner was preparing a large tactical push through the remaining areas of Benghazi currently being controlled by Islamist Ansar Al Shaira fighters. The intended military manoeuvre did take place and would seem to be still ongoing, with reports of heavy fighting in specific areas such as Buhdeima & Latei.
Within the west of Libya, the capital Tripoli has continued to experience periodic attacks on military commanders and general security forces within the capital. Following the high profile attack on the Corinthia Hotel on the 27 January, the capital has gone into a tightly controlled ‘lock down’ state during silent hours with a reported twenty plus check points being erected within the city limit areas. Although Tripoli itself has continued to avoid full-scale fighting, there are concerns about growing instability in the capital, particularly following last week’s attack at the Corinthia Hotel and an increasing number of incidents in the city. Given recent trends and an ongoing effort by radical Islamist groups to increase their influence in the capital, it is possible that high-profile targets (those frequented by diplomats, local politicians and westerners) in Tripoli may be threatened again in the future.
Fierce fighting erupted on 03 February in the eastern Libyan city of Derna, as pro-Libyan Army forces reportedly attempted to break into the Islamist-controlled city. According to army spokesperson Ahmed al Mismari, most of the fighting was centred in the areas of Sidi Khaled and Ain Mara, located in Derna’s eastern outskirts.
Libya’s already battered oil income has suffered a further blow with the closure of Hariga, its last significant oil export terminal, because of a strike over unpaid salaries. The terminal near Tobruk, with a capacity of 120,000 b/d has by and large escaped disruption thanks to its easterly position.
Five oil workers, three Filipinos and two Nigerians are understood to still be missing following last Tuesday’s attack on the Mabruk oil field, during which at least ten people were killed. In an almost certain reaction to the Mabruk attack.
The Ministry of Interior has announced this week that it has arrested a number of top terror suspects in Benghazi, Marj, and Bersis and has referred them to the Public Prosecution’s Office.
Due to the current ongoing unstable and unpredictable security situation within Libya, SNE are recommending that at this moment in time clients only carry out business essential travel trips to Libya, these trips should only be undertaken within Tripoli city limits and no movement should be attempted in the hours of darkness or near certain flash point areas such as Tripoli International Airport and surroundings districts, GNC buildings and hotels known to be frequented by internationals which could prove to be flash points for further incidents.
Due to the attack on the Corinthia hotel in Tripoli on the 27 January, hotels in Tripoli are now being looked at again from a security perspective and for the time being we recommend only using safe accommodation which has been authorised for use.
We are advising No movement to the western area of Libya in and around Kikla and Rujban and other surrounding 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 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 package 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 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 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
