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 enough and allows for remobilization. We have a vast amount of experience of supporting clients from the media, telecoms, power generation, Oil & Gas, Construction & NGO sectors. For more information on our services within Libya please email us at specialprojects@snegroup.co.uk or visit our website www.snespecialprojects.co.uk
The GNC delegation decided at the last moment not to boycott the latest round of UNSMIL talks, held in Geneva and although delayed by one day to allow the Tripoli based delegation to arrive, all parties are now represented.
Tripoli has suffered badly over this reporting period with daily power-cuts which affected the internet communication towers and left most businesses and homes devoid of power and internet and mobile phone coverage on and off over several days.
Khalifa Ghweil the GNC Prime Minister announced on Television that he had taken personal charge of the power crisis and would ensure that the situation was fixed within a few months, there are reports of smaller power stations coming on line with the national grid and even Misrata Steel Factory, the largest steel works in Africa announcing they would assist by closing on some days to increase grid power.
Several days of clashes in the Gargarish road area, culminated in local people setting alight tyres and even a car just 800 metres from the SNE Operations Room, they were angered by the dumping of a body in the road by Tripoli Deterrence force Militia of a known drug dealer who was arrested a few days ago, and it looked as if summary justice had been meted out to this unfortunate individual, the area remains calm following local elders intervention.
Pro Gadhafi support in response to the Tripoli Court death sentences imposed on Saif Gadhafi and seven of his former regime figures has continued with tragic outcomes in Sebha where armed men from Misratas 3rd Force Militia fired into the demonstration killing four persons, and five brothers from the Krebi family were killed in Tahouna for openly marching with green Gadhafi flags.
Daesh continue to use their trademark shock tactics and publicly murdered an Indian citizen in Sirte for the crime of “worshipping idols”, pictures circulated on social media confirming his death. Later they fired shots into a crowd of women announcing support for Saif Gadhafi, injuring several and kidnappings have continued in Sirte of anyone who they believe opposes their will.
Anti Daesh support has grown in Derna since the terror group were driven from the city and previously known supporters have had their homes confiscated and cars destroyed. This has led to counter attacks and fighting on the outskirts of the city.
Further East in Ajdabiya two Tunisians were kidnapped on their way to the airport, with no reports of their fate emerging yet.
Benghazi, although largely in the hands of General Khalifa Hefters LNA still has three neighbor-hoods where Daesh/Ansar Al Shari fighters are dug in and willing to fight to the end, many of Hefters soldiers have lost lives and limbs with the endless booby trap cars and buildings.
From these strongholds the battle hardened and very ruthless Islamist fighters have launched mortars and fired Grad Missiles indiscriminately across the city inflicting casualties on innocent civilians in areas devoid of fighting.
The Salloum Border Crossing Point was in the news this period with further arrests made of migrants caught trying to cross illegally, nearly two hundred were caught in a day, revealing the extent of the crisis on all fronts in Libya with her porous borders, lack of a central government and strong Security Forces.
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 at some point in the future.
SNE remains fully operational on the ground within Tripoli, where our mixed British and Libyan 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 stabilises and allows for travel.
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.