Libya Situation Update: 18–23 November

1. 18–23 NOV: In a dawn raid on 18 November, a coalition of Misrata militias freed six hostages from a Ghaniwa villa in al-Hadba. In retaliation, Ghaniwa forces reinforced their checkpoints on the Second Ring Road and detained at least 100 Misratan civilians, demanding the return of their prisoners. A meeting between representatives from Tripoli and Misrata failed to resolve the dispute and fighting has erupted in Abu Salim. Representatives from the following militias have announced that Misrata will no longer have a role in securing Tripoli: Rada, Janzour Battalion, Tajoura Battalion, Tariq al-Saka Battalion, Southern Ain Zara Battalion, the Old City Battalion, Central Shield, Ghaniwa, Tripoli Martyrs’ Brigade, Marghani, and Hamza Martyrs’ Brigade. Unconfirmed sources report that reinforcements arrived from Zliten and secured Tajoura. Blockades around Tripoli were lifted in the late evening and several hostages may have been released. In the evening of 18 November, Tripoli militia leaders met and declared they would unite against Misratan forces in the event of continued clashes. On 19 November, officials from Tripoli’s Abu Salim Municipality met with Misratan representatives to ease tensions between the Abu Salim Brigades and the Misratan militias. The groups released a statement that reconciliation had been reached, with all hostages released and the coastal highway reopened. However, Sadiq al-Gharyani, Grand Mufti of Tripoli, called on Misratan militias to leave Tripoli, saying they were no different than Zintani militias. Despite the announcement of a peace deal, clashes between Misratan militias and Tripoli fighters continue, with reports of fighting on the outskirts of Tripoli on 20–22 November. (Twitter)(Libya Observer)(Twitter)(Libya al-Hurra)(Twitter)(Akhbar al-Had)(Libya Channel)(Twitter)(Facebook)(Facebook)(Twitter)(Facebook)(Facebook)(Libya 24)(Afrigate)(al-Wasat)(Twitter)(al-Wasat)(Libya Observer)(al-Wasat)(Tripoli Joint Operations Room Statement)(Libya Herald)(al-Wasat)(Twitter)(Twitter)(Afrigate) (Afrigate)(Afrigate)(Libya Akhbar)(Libya Akhbar)(Twitter)
2. 18–21 NOV: Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a wounded LNA Battalion 302 soldier, Omar Jabril al-Qabsi, in front of the Ajdabiya Cultural Center on Tarablus Street in Ajdabiya, killing him. Unidentified gunmen also shot dead another individual, Hamza al-Sinousi al-Nawfali al-Maghrebi, a member of the Security Directorate, whose father works at the Traffic and Licensing Department, in front of his home in Ajdabiya. Additionally, Mohammad Ahmad Ramadan al-Zawi, a member of the LNA 509th Battalion, was attacked as he returned to his house near the Andalus School. al-Zawi was shot in the abdomen, but survived the assassination attempt. (Akhbar Libya 24)(Libya Herald)(Akhbar Libya 24)(al-Wasat)(Twitter)(Libya Akhbar)
3. 18 NOV: IS claimed to have seized three checkpoints from the LNA on the Airport Road in Benghazi. The statement indicates that IS forces destroyed an LNA BMP and used IEDs, RPGs, and mortars in the attacks. (IS Media Office of Barqa) [Analyst Note: While it is possible that IS seized the checkpoints, there is no indication that they continue to occupy positions on the Airport Road.]
4. 19–20 NOV: LNA Tank Battalion 204 and Tawhid al-Salafiya stormed the Philippine Neighborhood in the Hawari District. LNA forces also extended their control over parts over the 17 Axis (near the 17 February Camp), near the University of Benghazi axis, and the Safsafa axis. On 19 November, the LNA claimed its forces severed the SCBR’s Sidi Faraj supply line to the Buatni Neighborhood of Benghazi, as LyAF aircraft bombed parts of Camp 319 in Buatni. (Twitter)(Libya Akhbar)(Afrigate News)(Akhbar Libya 24)(Afrigate)
5. 20 NOV: An IS leader in Sirte issued a statement calling for the group to launch an attack against oil fields during the friday sermon. (Libya Akhbar)(Libya 24 TV)
6. 23 NOV: Libya’s Tebu and Toureg tribes of southern Libya signed a peace accord in Doha, Qatar. The ceasefire was almost immediately broken. (Libya Observer)(Twitter)(al-Jazeera)(Fezzan Libya MG)
7. 23 NOV: LNA Battalion 156 clashed with IS gunmen in the al-Ezziat area south of Derna. Three soldiers and seven IS fighters were reported killed. (Benghazi Now)(Benghazi Now)(Afrigate)
8. 23 NOV: LNA forces repelled unidentified extremist groups attacking the 200 Desert Road area near Ajdabiya, allegedly attempting to take control over the road between Ajdabiya and Tobruq and the Jabal al-Akhdar area of the country. (Twitter)(al-Saiqa Statement)