Eye on ISIS in Libya

Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: October 9

Posted on October 9, 2018 by libyaanalysis

IS in Action Throughout last week the Sirte Protection Force (SPF) was on a state of alert following reports of the presence of IS fighters near Sirte. Several days before, the SPF posted photos of their manned checkpoints on the outskirts of the city. Other Jihadi Actors On 8 October, the spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA), Ahmed Mesmari, stated that the Libyan National Army (LNA) had captured former Egyptian Special Forces officer turned Egyptian jihadist, Hisham al-Ashmawy, in the al-Maghar neighborhood of Derna. Al-Ashmawy was captured with a suicide vest on, which he had failed to detonate. Photos published by the LNA show al-Ashmawy bloodied and receiving treatment following his arrest. Following his capture, Egyptian security officials have called for his extradition. Described by some security officials as Egypt’s most wanted man, Al-Ashmawy (also known as Abu Omar Al-Muhajir) joined the Egyptian Armed forces in the 1990s and became a member of the Egyptian Special Forces in 1996, before eventually being expelled from the military for his radicalization. He then joined a north Sinai militant group, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis. However, when this group pledged its allegiance to IS in July 2014, Ashmawy split from the group and established his own group that became linked with al-Qaeda. Al-Ashmawy led the al-Qaeda front groups al-Mourabitoun and later Jama’at Ansar al-Islam. Al-Ashmawy is thought to have been using Derna as a safe haven from which to springboard into Egypt to launch attacks. Al-Ashmawy is accused of several attacks in Egypt including an assassination attempt on then Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim in 2013 and killing a leading Egyptian public prosecutor by car bombing in 2015. Al-Ashmawy was captured along with the wife and sons of Omar Rifai Sorour, the alleged Mufti of the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council who was killed in June of this year. He was also arrested with Bahaa Ali and Merai Abdefattah Khalil Zoghbi. Zoghbi is listed by the UN Security Council and Interpol as a member of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), al-Qaeda, and Ansar al-Islam. The jihadist is said to have escaped from Italy to Turkey in 2009 where he was provided political asylum. He is thought to have returned to Libya in 2011, fighting with LIFG members amongst the Rafa’a al-Sahti Brigade that would eventually become part of Ansar al-Sharia in Libya. A weekly update of IS’s actions, the Western response, and developments pertaining to Libya’s other militias is available by subscribing here. To read about Western countries’ responses to IS in Libya this week, click here, and to read about the developments within the anti-IS Coalition of Libyan militias, click here. To read all four sections of this week’s Eye on IS in Libya report, click here.

Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: October 2

Posted on October 2, 2018 by libyaanalysis

IS in Action On 30 September, the Sirte Protection Force stated that IS fighters have been observed along the coast road between Wadi al-Ahmar and Umm al-Qandil, 90 and 110 km east of Sirte respectively. Security forces have allegedly been dispatched to patrol for the group south of the Wadi al-Ahmar region. Other Jihadi Actors On 25 September, an attempt to assassinate the Dean of the Derna Municipality, Abdel-Moneim al-Ghaithi, was thwarted following the identification and dismantling of an Improvised Explosive Devise close to his room in the Pearl Hotel. Derna Protection Force (DPF) remnants are suspected of being responsible for the incident. On 26 September, the Libyan National Army (LNA) stopped a woman at a checkpoint near Zawiyat al-Urqub in Derna after she was founded to be carrying weapons, money and other documents for DPF remnants in the city. A weekly update of IS’s actions, the Western response, and developments pertaining to Libya’s other militias is available by subscribing here. To read about Western countries’ responses to IS in Libya this week, click here, and to read about the developments within the anti-IS Coalition of Libyan militias, click here. To read all four sections of this week’s Eye on IS in Libya report, click here.

Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: September 25

Posted on September 26, 2018 by libyaanalysis

IS in Action On 24 September, it was reported that as many as eight bodies belonging to the Libyan National Army and their supporters were unearthed in Derna following the confessions of alleged IS militants. The alleged IS members confessions were broadcast on Libyan television days before the recovery of the bodies. The deceased were said to have been missing from 2014. On 17 September, the Sirte Protection Force (SPF) uncovered a cache of unexploded ordnance, RPGs, and mortars abandoned by IS in the Sirte Central Clinics Complex. A spokesperson for the SPF de-mining group, Salim al-Amil, stated that the explosives were discovered amidst efforts to equip a clinical facility in the city. Other Jihadi Actors On 21 September, suspected Al-Qaeda members launched an attack using rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers on a senior security official in Sebha. On 24 September, the Libyan National Army (LNA) dismantled an Improvised explosive device (IED) in the al-Mughar district of Derna. This follows an alleged attempt by the Derna Protection Force (DPF) to set an IED beneath a LNA police vehicle in the city’s Eastern District on the 19 December. A man was injured in the incident and was taken to al-Harish hospital. Furthermore, direct clashes still continue in the city with an LNA fighter belonging to the 212 Battalion being killed in action on 24 September. A weekly update of IS’s actions, the Western response, and developments pertaining to Libya’s other militias is available by subscribing here. To read about Western countries’ responses to IS in Libya this week, click here, and to read about the developments within the anti-IS Coalition of Libyan militias, click here. To read all four sections of this week’s Eye on IS in Libya report, click here.

Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: September 11

Posted on September 12, 2018 by libyaanalysis

IS in Action On 10 September, three IS fighters raided Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) offices in central Tripoli, leaving at least two staff members dead and another 10 injured. The Special Deterrence Force (Rada) were reportedly deployed to the area and engaged in a shoot out with the assailants. National Oil Corporation (NOC) Chairman Mustafa Sanallha was inside the headquarters at the time of the incident, but was safely removed from the building by Rada. Following the incident, Rada published photos from surveillance camera footage showing the assailants entering the building and the arms and ammunition that had been seized. The images also show that the building has suffered some damage as a result of the attack. The following day IS’s Telegram Channel, Nashir, claimed responsibility for the attack. Other Jihadi Actors On 7 September, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb (AQIM)-linked media accounts published a eulogy for the Libyan AQIM commander Miloud Sadaga. Sadaga was originally from Derna and joined AQIM in 2008, going on to fight in Aurès and Kabylia, and then returned and fought against the LNA, where he died, under the banner of Ansar al-Shaira. A weekly update of IS’s actions, the Western response, and developments pertaining to Libya’s other militias is available by subscribing here. To read about Western countries’ responses to IS in Libya this week, click here, and to read about the developments within the anti-IS Coalition of Libyan militias, click here. To read all four sections of this week’s Eye on IS in Libya report, click here.

Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: September 4

Posted on September 5, 2018 by libyaanalysis

IS in Action On 27 August, IS fighters are reported to have briefly detained a civilian 70 km south of Sirte. The Sirte Protection Force has since raised the security levels to critical. Other Jihadi Actors On 1 September, fighting between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the remnants of the Derna Protection Force (DPF) renewed in Derna, reportedly left 11 LNA fighters dead and 19 injured. Local news outlets reported that among the dead was senior leader Mohamed Fitour, adding that a MIG21 was hovering above the city as clashes were ongoing in Wasit Al-Blad in Derna. A weekly update of IS’s actions, the Western response, and developments pertaining to Libya’s other militias is available by subscribing here. To read about Western countries’ responses to IS in Libya this week, click here, and to read about the developments within the anti-IS Coalition of Libyan militias, click here. To read all four sections of this week’s Eye on IS in Libya report, click here.

Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: August 21

Posted on August 21, 2018 by libyaanalysis

IS in Action On 15 August, the Petroleum Facilitates Guard (PFG) commander, Major General Naji al-Maghrabi, reported that an operation had been launched in collaboration with the Libyan National Army’s 331 and 127 battalions to recover seven vehicles stolen by IS fighters during a raid on the Greater Man Made River (GMMR) Sarir Station, located between Kufra and Jalu, on 12 August. Throughout the week IS’s Wilayat Barqah released two eulogies for Egyptian Abu Muhammad al-Marsi and Abu Basir al-Ansari. Details of their deaths are not provided. This follows IS Wilayat Barqah released a eulogy on 13 August for Kenyan fighter Abu Mousa al-Keni. Other Jihadi Actors On 18 August, Abdulkader Jumaa Abdul-Hadi Afnish Al-Zwai, a senior leader and founding member of the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) and the Ajdabiya Revolutionary Operation Room (AROR), died of his wounds following a raid on his home in Misrata by the Misrata Anti-Crime Unit. A weekly update of IS’s actions, the Western response, and developments pertaining to Libya’s other militias is available by subscribing here. To read about Western countries’ responses to IS in Libya this week, click here, and to read about the developments within the anti-IS Coalition of Libyan militias, click here. To read all four sections of this week’s Eye on IS in Libya report, click here.

Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: August 7

Posted on August 7, 2018 by libyaanalysis

IS in Action IS affiliated social media accounts have released a list of over 200 hundred names of Misratan fighters from al-Bunyan al-Marsous (BAM) as targets for assassination. The week before the BAM spokesperson, Mohammed Al-Ghusri, stated in a TV interview that the recent spate of IS attacks were a result IS members escaping from Derna. On 29 July, IS fighters were reported to have set up a checkpoint 14 km south of Uqaylah in the al-Wahat Province. This follows reports on 28 July, that several vehicles belonging to IS fighters were observed south of Uqaylah moving to the 103 line towards the Kufra and Jalu region. A weekly update of ISIS’s actions, the Western response, and developments pertaining to Libya’s other militias is available by subscribing here. To read about Western countries’ responses to ISIS in Libya this week, click here, and to read about the developments within the anti-ISIS Coalition of Libyan militias, click here. To read all four sections of this week’s Eye on ISIS in Libya report, click here.

Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: July 31

Posted on July 31, 2018 by libyaanalysis

IS in Action Additional details have emerged surround IS’s attack on a police station in Uqaylah in Eastern Libya. On 24 July, IS fighters arrived in as many as five vehicles and attacked the Uqaylah police station in the early hours of the morning, killing one policeman. The attackers then burned the station, leaving several improvised explosive device’s (IED) within. A series of shops were also raided and goods stolen before the assailants escaped to the south while recording a video as they did so. The IS fighters are said to have clashed with the Ajdabiya Operations Room south of the town, where one security force member was killed. The Libyan National Army’s (LNA) 166 battalions is then said to have pursued the attackers, killing 13 of the militants while losing three of their own in Wadi al-Jafr. One the IS members killed is alleged to have been Mahmoud al-Barasi, a former Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council (BRSC) fighter who has been labeled as the “Emir of Benghazi”. IS has since claimed responsibility for the attack, and in the group’s latest al-Naba newsletter (no. 141) it includes brief details of the attack. On 28 July, several vehicles belonging to IS fighters were observed south of Uqaylah moving to the 103 line towards the Kufra and Jalu region. Subsequently, security forces in Oil Crescent region were put on high alert. Other Jihadi Actors On 25 July, airstrikes are reported to have occurred at approximately 22:30 local time targeting a house in the Sharib area near Ubari in Southern Libya, containing individuals thought to be affiliated with al-Qaeda. The house was believed to have been rented by an Algerian with several cars parked at the front of the building prior to the strike. Six people were killed, three from Algeria, two Malians and a Libyan. The Libyan killed in the strike is said to be al-Qaeda member by the name of Abu al-Leith. The prominent militia leader Yahia Abu Hamam aka Jamal Oskasa and his aide Talha ash-Shanqiti were thought to have been the targets of the strike, but sources suggest they survived. Okasha is an east- Algiers native who was the head of the Mauritanian and Berahiche Arab dominated al-Furqan brigade. The U.S. African Command (AFRICOM) have denied responsibility for the attack, but carried out a similar strike on the same targets in the same area in March. On 24 March, the US military undertook drone strikes targeting a house near Ubari, allegedly killing two militants that belonged to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) according to a spokeswoman for AFRICOM. A weekly update of ISIS’s actions, the Western response, and developments pertaining to Libya’s other militias is available by subscribing here. To read about Western countries’ responses to ISIS in Libya this week, click here, and to read about the developments within the anti-ISIS Coalition of Libyan militias, click here. To read all four sections of this week’s Eye on ISIS in Libya report, click here.

Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: July 24

Posted on July 24, 2018 by libyaanalysis

IS in Action On 24 July, IS fighters raided a police station in al-Uqaylah, west of Brega, destroying at least two vehicles with unconfirmed reports suggesting that multiple officers were killed and at least one was beheaded. Clashes also occurred at a Libyan National Army (LNA) checkpoint 20km south of the town following the incident. Additional unconfirmed reports suggest that IS militants had actually captured al-Uqaylah for several hours. IS has since claimed responsibility for the incident. Other Jihadi Actors On 21 July, reports began emerging of confessions from Derna Protection Force (DPF) prisoners interrogated by the Libyan National Army (LNA) suggesting that Hisham Ashmawi (Abu Omar al-Muhajir al-Masri) is amongst one hundred or so Derna Protection Force (DFP) remnants isolated to small pockets of old town Derna by the LNA. Hisham Ashmawi is a former Egyptian Special Forces officer who is said to lead the al-Qaeda-linked organization Jama’at Ansar Al-Islam. A weekly update of ISIS’s actions, the Western response, and developments pertaining to Libya’s other militias is available by subscribing here. To read about Western countries’ responses to ISIS in Libya this week, click here, and to read about the developments within the anti-ISIS Coalition of Libyan militias, click here. To read all four sections of this week’s Eye on ISIS in Libya report, click here.

Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: July 17

Posted on July 17, 2018 by libyaanalysis

IS in Action On 10 July, the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) Criminal Investigations Department in Brega arrested an individual suspected of being an IS fighter. During the arrest, the suspect was discovered to possess a suicide belt. A weekly update of ISIS’s actions, the Western response, and developments pertaining to Libya’s other militias is available by subscribing here. To read about Western countries’ responses to ISIS in Libya this week, click here, and to read about the developments within the anti-ISIS Coalition of Libyan militias, click here. To read all four sections of this week’s Eye on ISIS in Libya report, click here.

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