Libya Security Update, 18-25 October

Despite Arrests, Assassinations Continue

In spite of a much trumpeted arrest of a "terrorist cell" leftover from Gaddafi's regime made up of Libyans and Chadians on 21 October, assassinations continue.  Authorities in Benghazi were anxious to show progress on catching those responsible for the rash of assassinations in the city over the past month after the assassination of military police commander Colonel Ahmed Mustafa Al-Barghathi on 18 October (LH). That assassination led to a tense weekend as al-Barghathi's confederates attacked and burnt the home of Libya Shield commander Wissam Ben Hamid, whom they accused of complicity in the attack. Later in the week, Benghazi was hit with two more assassinations.  On Thursday, unknown assailants killed Air Force Colonel Adel Khalil Tuawhani in front of his house in the Had'iq neighborhood of Banghazi (LNA). On Friday, Colonel Faraj Burwein was killed by unknown gunmen in the Hada'iq neighborhood of Benghazi (ONA). Benghazi also saw attacks on two police stations this week in Ras Obeida and Sabri (LH) and two bombings on Thursday in the Buhedama neighborhood (ONA).  No causalities were reported from these events.

View Larger Map
 Above: Interactive map of security incidents in Bengahzi, 18-25 October.  To explore, zoom and pan to specific locations.  Click on each incident for details and sources.

In other security news, a militia leader was assassinated in Msalata (LH) and a bomb was diffused before it exploded at the Triploi West power station (LH).

Libya Security Report, 1-18 October, 2013

Assassinations Continue in Benghazi

The string of assassinations continued in Benghazi over the last two weeks with 9 assassinations and 2 attempted assassinations.  After a relatively calm first week of October, an assassination attempt on 9 October against bomb disposal expert Captain Ismail Mohamed Al-Shareef Al-Saiti was unsuccessful after the al-Saiti escaped from minor injuries after a bomb exploded underneath his vehicle (LH). Two days later a bomb took the life of Salafi Imam Abd al-Salam al-Hasi as he was driving in his vehicle after deliver his Friday Khutba. Al-Haasi had been openly critical of the series of assassinations in Benghazi (al-Manar). On 13 October, unknown gunmen killed Lt. Col. Abdul Fattah Emhemed al-Riani of the Libyan Air Force (QN) and an attempt was made on the life of LTC Abd al-Salam al-Dous, a former officer long involved in anti-drig efforts (QN). On 14 October, an officer in the military prosecution office was killed by a megnetic IED (el-Fajr). On 15 October, three Libyan army soldiers were killed in two separate incidents (AJ, Shorouknews). On 18 October, the Chief of Libya’s Military Police, Colonel Ahmed Mustafa Al-Barghathi, was shot outside his house  when leaving for mosque (LH). There were also reports of bomb attacks against two police stations, though no casualties were reported (LH), in addition to a bomb attack against the Swedish/Finish Consulate which also resulted in no casualties (LH).

View Larger Map
 Above: Interactive map of security incidents in Bengahzi, 1-18 October.  To explore, zoom and pan to specific locations.  Click on each incident for details and sources.

Libya Security Update, 12-18 September, 2013

Security Events

 Above: Interactive map of security incidents in Bengahzi, 12-18 September.  To explore, zoom and pan to specific locations.  Click on each incident for details and sources.

It was another violent week in Benghazi with two assassinations and two attempted assassinations.  On 16 September, a member of the Ministry of Defense was killed and another injured when unknown gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the al-Qawarisha section of Benghazi (LANA).  That same day, there were two attempted assassinations.  A Benghazi lawyer was targeted with a magnetic IED on his vehicle which detonated when he was not in the vehicle, and the second bombing occurred near the Jara Roundabout in the al-Salmani al-Sharqi district.  No one was hurt in either attack (LH). On 17 September an officer from the Benghazi CID was killed when an IED blew apart his vehicle in the al-Salmani al-Sharqi district.

Libya Security Update 9/12/2013

Benghazi Violence Continues

 Above: Map of Security incidents in Bengahzi, 5-12 September.  To explore, zoom and pan to specific locations.  Click on each incident for details and sources.

A large car bomb exploded outside the branch of the Libyan Foreign Ministry in Benghazi on the one-year anniversary of the assault on US consulate that led to the death of US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans (LH, AFP). No fatalities were reported, but several people were injured and damage was extensive to the ministry building and a branch of Libya's Central Bank across the street.  Qurayna al-Jadidah provided pictures from the scene.  The bombing capped another violent week in Benghazi.  A series of attacks on security personnel on Sunday left two dead and one injured (LH).  Another member of the security forces was injured the same day when a magnetic IED on his vehicle detonated (QJ).  On Tuesday, retired Qadaafi-era official COL Salem Mohamed Al-Urufi was killed and his son critically injured by another magnetic IED (LH).

Libya Security Update, 15 August - 3 September

The map below displays security incidents in Libya between 15 August and 3 September, 2013.  You can zoom and pan the map to explore specific areas.  Click on specific incidents for details and sources.

Libya Security Update, 29 August 2013

LTC Shabahi: Clashes in Western Region between Armed Tamashwq Groups

Source: Libya al-Jadid

Department of Defense Spokesman LTC Abd al-Razzaq al-Shabahi denied that clashes taking place in the western regions were between the Worshanfana tribe and residents of Zawiya, but instead were between groups of armed Tamasheq.

Read the full article here.

Oil Production Down to a Quarter of a Million Barrels a Day

Source: Libya Herald, 29 August

Libya Security Update, 17-27 August 2013