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.

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 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).

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 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.