Amidst the continued counter offensives in the oil crescent region, between the House of Representatives (HoR) forces with the Libyan National Army (LNA) and pro-government of National Accord (GNA) Forces with the Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG), the head of the GNA Presidency Council (PC) Fayez Sirraj flew out to Cairo to hold urgent meetings with the President of the HoR Ageela Saleh. Reportedly, the two attempted to come up with a new government line-up that is acceptable to both the GNA and the HoR. Detailed information has not yet emerged from these very important meetings. Informed sources in Cairo, said that Sirraj had met with senior Egyptian officials as well as some Libyan nationals residing in Cairo.
Following the meetings in Cairo, Fayez Sirraj flew out of Egypt and headed to New York to represent Libya in the meetings of the UN General Assembly.
Libyan pro GNA forces pressed on with the offensive operation against Daesh positions within the area of district three in Sirte on Sunday. Fighting over the last two weeks has seemed to ease due to pro-government forces strategically planning on how to minimise casualties caused by Daesh. Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (SVBIED), snipers and roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). Artillery batteries continued to fire salvoes into the area of district three, whilst tanks probed forward and technical laid down their normal fusillades towards the final remaining Daesh positions.
Whilst in the oil crescent region, tensions seemed to subside following the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) ‘’Operation Sudden lightening’’ surprise attack, which saw them take control of four of the oil terminals and put them under the control of the House of Representatives (HoR). This subsequently led to the National Oil Corporation (NOC) lifting the force majeure and oil exports allegedly resuming. However, this was short-lived and fighting resumed as Ibrahim Jodhran, leader of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) forces, carried out an unsuccessful counter attacks on As Sidr and Ras Lanuf. This has given rise to the potential that hostilities could resume between the LNA and GNA forces in the coming days.
Due to the unrest and fighting in the eastern oil crescent, the capital has seen tensions begin to increase after reports of Militia movement on the outside of the capital. Rumours continue to circulate that Militias loyal to the LNA are planning to attempt to take control of the capital. This led to brigades parading around Tripoli in armed technical vehicles and the setting up of a joint operations room to coordinate any response to any attempt to undermine the security of the capital. However, this is believed to be primarily designed to influence and apply pressure to the current talks taking place in Cairo.
Further tensions in the capital rose as protestors once again took to the streets of Tripoli over the inconsistent power outages within the city, some lasting up to 12 hours in many areas. Protestors blocked roads with burning tyres, rocks, and construction waste. Many roads were blocked and heavy traffic built up in areas within, Omar Mukhtar Street, Znata, Hay Andalus, and Tajoura.
Benghazi LNA forces continued to carry out airstrikes and artillery salvoes on known militant positions in the areas of Nawfaliya, Qanfudah, and positons near to the European Hospital in Al Qawarishah. Later reports also revealed that LNA forces had carried out airstrikes on PFG positons in Sidra and Ras Lanuf during counter attacks on LNA forces by PFG forces.
Whilst in Derna, reports were received that LNA Helicopters had carried out airstrikes on Daher Al Hamer and the western entrance of Derna.
Janus Global Operations continues to keep our permanent expat country management team on the ground in Tripoli supporting our client’s 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.
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Janus Global Operations 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 jason.woods@janusgo.com. 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.
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