In a statement released yesterday, the General Command of Hafter’s Libyan Arab Armed Forces announced the liberation of the soldiers kidnapped in the attack on the Al-Toum (Al-Tum/ Tummo/ Tumu) Libyan Niger border crossing security checkpoint at dawn on 31 January 2026, following what it called ‘‘a precise and successful operation on the southern border’’.
The statement read as follows:
– Your armed forces will not abandon their sons and will not hesitate to pursue all those involved in the kidnapping and assault, regardless of their position or rank. Our striking arm will reach all who dare to tamper with the security of the nation or violate the dignity of its soldiers.
– We assure the families of the liberated soldiers that their sons have returned with their heads held high after another saga of courage and discipline.
– We will continue our security and military operations to eradicate the sources of terrorism and organized crime and ensure that such attacks are not repeated.
– We renew our pledge to the people that we will remain the shield and sword of the nation in confronting all attempts to destabilize security.
Military operations continuing
Hafter’s Army also affirmed the continuation of security and military operations to ‘‘dry up the sources of terrorism and organized crime, and to ensure that such criminal acts are not repeated’’, renewing its pledge to the Libyan people that it will remain the shield and sword of the nation, and an impenetrable barrier against all who seek to destabilize the country’s security or target its citizens.
The success of the operation was also hailed in a statement by the Military Committee of the House of Representatives.
Hafter avenging the 31 January Al-Toum attack
There have been numerous video clips on social media purporting to show Hafter’s forces recapturing the Al-Toum border checkpoint and taking POWs of the militia. Several sources have attributed the attack to an armed faction led by Baraka Wardako al Tabawi — also known as Mohammed Wardougou – which is sometimes referred to as the Southern Liberation Operations Room.
The militia group is believed to be formed mostly of Tebu fighters who roam the border region controlling trade routes in the south.
The 31 January attack on Al-Toum
It will be recalled that on 31 January there was an attack on the Al Toum border security checkpoint, and other southern border posts, including Wadi Bughrara and El Salvador, by militias operating in the southern Libyan border area, resulting in the deaths of three pro Hafter soldiers.
In video clips posted by the group on social media, the militia identified itself as the “Sons and Revolutionaries of the Libyan South” has announced the capture of the strategic Al-Toum border crossing.
In its video statement, the militia group accused Hafter’s General Command in Eastern Libya of exploiting southern resources and fuelling ongoing regional instability. The group had claimed the clashes had left approximately 25 dead and several military vehicles destroyed. The video showed several soldiers prostrate on the ground as the statement was being videoed.
