Gulf of Sidra and Cyrenaica
In response to Benghazi’s deteriorating security situation, the security coordinator for the Benghazi Local Council announced on 5 August an agreement to form a joint security operations room composed of the Ministries of Interior and Defense, the Chief of Staff, the High Security Committee, the Shield of Libya Brigade and other local brigades. Libyan media also reported that a number of meetings had been held in Benghazi in early August, involving local militias and the above ministries. According to the report the meetings led to the decision for security forces in Benghazi to operate under one authority.
In a statement by the Libyan Red Crescent General Secretary, Abdul Hamid Al Madani on 10 August, he reported that the seven Iranian Red Crescent members abducted in Benghazi on 31 July were still being detained and that he could not predict when they would be released. Al Madani stated that the Iranians were being held by Islamic extremists, but gave no further details.
On 11 August, Libyan media reported that gunmen shot dead a Libyan army general and high-ranking defense ministry official, Mohammad Hadia, in Benghazi. Hadia was one of the first ex-regime officers to defect and join the opposition during last year’s revolution. Hadia is the latest of dozens of security officials murdered in Benghazi in recent months. Recent attacks have especially targeted officers who had served under the former regime.
Libyan media reported that Tabu leader Issa Abdul Majid came under attack from members of the Arab Zwai tribe on the morning of 9 August, as he travelled 100 km north of Al Kufra in southeastern Libya. On 10 August, further clashes were reported in Al Kufra after Tabu fighters attacked a checkpoint on the main route south to Chad. Libyan media reported that thirteen armed vehicles were used in the attack, leaving several wounded. Recent months have seen repeated clashes in the Al Kufra region between Tabu fighters and pro-government militias. Tribal leaders are scheduled to meet after the end of Ramadan, in an attempt to restore calm to the area.