By Sami Zaptia:
London, 9 March 2018:
In its section on security developments, the 157-page UN Experts Panel report said that ‘‘overall, in 2017 the frontlines have become more entrenched, although the security situation in Tripoli has improved as the armed groups affiliated with the Government of National Accord (GNA) increased their control over the capital. In the east, the Libyan National Army (LNA) has been able to impose its control over most of Benghazi.
Despite this overall improvement in Tripoli and Benghazi, tensions have been simmering in many parts of the country. The arbitrary rule of armed groups, affiliated with the GNA or the LNA, and the continued exclusion of segments of the population from the Libyan political arena are leading to more radicalization and polarization.
The divide at the national level not only obstructs a political solution, but also spurs local tensions. The armed confrontations in Warshefana in November 2017 and Sabratha in October 2017 highlighted how national actors exploited local tensions to promote their influence. Tensions in Zawiyah were successfully contained for the time being, thanks to efforts by local elders.
Warshefana
Events which occurred in Warshefana (and to some extent in Sabratha) in November 2017 are significant, being the first military show of force by former regime elements in their autonomous political capacity. Saif al Islam Qadhafi’s (LYi.017) Popular Front for the Liberation of Libya (PFLL) started gathering its forces in the region of Tripoli.
On 2 November 2017, Presidency Council (PC)-affiliated groups, notably from Tripoli and Zintan, launched an attack in Warshefana to prevent the PFLL’s build-up.
The Interim Government, the General Command of the LNA, the Supreme Council of the Tribes in Warshefana and the Commander of the 4th Brigade, Omar Tantush, all condemned the PC’s attempts to take control of the area.
After almost 10 days of fighting, PC-affiliated forces took control of most of the city. The PC-affiliated Brigade 301 is said to be in charge of securing the area. The real military capacities of the PFLL remain to be tested.
Sabratha
The clashes that took place in Sabratha in October 2017 derive from competition between local armed groups to take control of the city and smuggling routes (see paragraph 114). The casualties were significant in proportion to the population of Sabratha.
Local armed groups fought for political, financial and military support, provided by national actors, namely the GNA and the LNA. This competition was also exacerbated by support provided by international actors keen to put an end to migrants’ departure from Sabratha.
Benghazi
In spite of the LNA’s repetitive announcements of Benghazi’s liberation, the city continues to witness clashes between the LNA and extremist militants.
According to local activists, 55,643 Libyans were forced to leave Benghazi due to violence or fear of political persecution (see Annex 7). Extremist movements such as the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) continue to recruit fighters, notably from these displaced populations present in Misrata and Tripoli.
The LNA has asserted its ability to impose its undisputed rule over the east of Libya in spite of eroding tribal support. It defeated its most important competitor and sole representative of the GNA in Benghazi, Faraj Mohammad Mansour (a.k.a Qoeim, a.k.a al Abdali). The GNA appointed him as the Deputy Minister of Interior. Until then, he was the commander of the Special Missions Force by order of the Interim Government.
On 11 November 2017, the headquarters of Faraj Mansour in Budzira and his family’s residences in Birsis were bombed.5 He handed himself over to the General Command of the LNA following a tribal mediation on 12 November 2017.
Derna
The LNA’s continued siege of Derna, the recurrent deadly bombings of the city and the occasional deaths of fighters on both sides illustrate the tragedy of this city since 2011.7 The situation in Derna continues to polarize the Libyan political scene, constituting another obstacle to the success of the political dialogue.
