The culmination of this week has seen Libya's U.N backed unity government meeting Western and regional powers on Monday in Vienna to seek their help as it tries to establish authority over a country divided by armed factions and threatened by Islamist insurgents.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and top officials from more than 20 other nations have been conferring on ways to strengthen Libya's fledgling government. The aim is to give the internationally recognized administration more support in fighting Islamic State radicals and end its rivalry with a group to the east claiming legitimacy.
Participating members say they are ready to respond to the Libyan government's requests for training and equipping government forces to counter the Islamic State.
As the committee encouraged Prime Minister Serraj to continue to establish a unified security command structure his presidency council announced that it effectively gave the green light for 18 government ministers to start work, even though they have still not received backing from the parliament based in the country’s east.
At the eve of the summit, the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi confirmed that the task of ensuring the security of the UN headquarters in Tripoli will come from Nepal after an assessment of the risks involved were considered too high for foreign troops. Reports concluded that the international community is ready to open diplomatic missions in Tripoli as soon as possible once all security measures are in place.
Tripoli has remained stable this week although there has been an increase in kidnappings notably in the Hai Al Andalous district, attackers also shot and killed 2 policemen in the same area. An operation was carried out to arrest members of a 12 man cell supporting ISIS in Abu Salim on Friday. The leader is understood to be a Tunisian national who specializes in improvised explosive devices (IED).
Heavy fighting has continued in Abugrein as warplanes targeted ISIS positions. In response, an ISIS shell struck a Misrata position on Saturday. The shelling comes in conjunction with sporadic clashes between ISIS and Misratan forces in the area.
A complex attack was implemented on Wednesday when ISIS militants detonated a suicide VBIED at a checkpoint near As Saddadah South of Misrata. The clashes that ensued lasted for several hours until Thursday. A subsequent VBIED was repelled a few days later.
Three different operations rooms have been established for an offensive from east and western governments including General Hafter towards Sirte, reports indicate that over 3000 families have been displaced escaping the impending attack.
The Dignity Operation Militias in Benghazi have continued the sustained fighting against IS as casualties from both sides are being reported. During an artillery bombardment ISIS claims to have destroyed a T72 tank.
Derna Shura Council has declared a state of emergency and full mobilization to prevent General Hafter’s militia groups from advancing toward the city, days after the General Command of those militias announced Operation Volcano to invade the city. Hafter's militia groups believe it's time to attack as ISIS fighters are showing signs of exhaustion and there logistical supply chain has reduced.
In Tobruk a Libyan air force helicopter crashed as it was landing at the airbase. The crew were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The South of Libya remained relatively quiet during the last reporting week with no incidents of note.
SNE continues to keep our permanent expat country management team on the ground in Tripoli supporting our clients international and local personnel as well as critical infrastructure. We are also currently involved in working with many of our clients on their re-entry planning, security risk management surveys and political sector analysis. To discuss these services further please contact us on the details below.
Libya Security Report Subscription Service
SNE Libya Security Summaries are only supplied to existing Libya clients and those who subscribe to our weekly reporting service. For further information on how to subscribe and our monthly costs, please contact our Dubai management team at office@snegroup.co.uk The attached Libya security update has been produced by our Tripoli based in-country management team and covers the various security risks, recent incidents, political landscape and geography in both the west and east of Libya.
HEAT & Basic Life Support Two Day Training Courses
SNE are now offering bespoke Libya oriented or generic MENA Hostile Environment Awareness & Basic Life Support Medical Training Courses in Dubai or your home country prior to deploying back into Libya, or in country training for those who require this service in Tripoli. Please contact our Dubai Head Office for more information on these courses at specialprojects@snegroup.co.uk
Egypt
In addition to Libya, SNE Special Projects also provide weekly security summaries to clients with an interest in Egypt and have an operations centre in Cairo providing an executive protection team capability along with project management and crisis management throughout the country. For more information on these services please contact our Dubai head office at: specialprojects@snegroup.co.uk
For further information on all our services and for actual support on the ground in Libya please feel free to contact us 24/7 on +218 911713972 or +971 508764175
