AKE Libya Update – Friday 18th October 2013
Please find below AKE’s latest update on the situation in Libya.
Summary:
In Tripoli two policemen were wounded when gunmen attacked a checkpoint in the Wadi
Rabie district in the south east of the city. In Benghazi, an officer in Libya's military police,
identified as Colonel Ahmed Mustafa al-Barghathi, was shot dead by unidentified militants
outside his home, while two soldiers were killed by unidentified militants when they infiltrated
an army base in the Ras al-Mingar area. In Derna, a local army commander was shot dead by
unidentified militants in the Sahil Bin Nasser area of the city. In Sirte, at least two people were
killed in a blast near the outskirts of the city. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ali Zeidan stated that
the rebels who briefly abducted him from the Corinthia hotel in central Tripoli were part of an
attempted coup by his opponents in the General National Congress (GNC).
Tripoli
Two policemen were wounded when gunmen attacked a checkpoint in the Wadi Rabie district
in the south east of the capital on 17 October. Initial reports indicated that the incident may
have had to do with the consumption of alcohol by the attackers, who reportedly belonged to
the central region Libyan Shield battalion. Four of the attackers were reportedly detained by
security forces.
The incident demonstrates the potential for seemingly random violence involving armed militia
groups in the city. Although the majority of incidents involve inter-militia violence, personnel
should be aware of the potential for disruption caused by clashes that could break out in any
district in response to seemingly innocuous incidents.
Benghazi
An officer in Libya's Military police, identified as Colonel Ahmed Mustafa al-Barghathi, was
shot dead by unidentified militants outside his home in the Greysh district of the city early on
18 October. Barghathi was injured in the attack, but died while being treated in the city's Jala
hospital.
Two soldiers were killed by unidentified militants when they infiltrated an army base in the
Ras al-Mingar area of the city and slit the men's throats as they were sleeping.
These incidents are the latest in a series of assassinations of members of the security forces
in the east of the country, where Jihadist groups are known to operate with relative freedom.
Further incidents of this nature are likely, although attacks against foreign interests will remain
less frequent and will largely focus on high profile diplomatic assets.
An improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated next to a flower stall adjacent to the
private Marwa hospital on 16 October. No casualties were reported in the attack; however,
significant damage was caused to the front of the building, with windows shattered. The area
which would normally have been busy at the time of the attack was largely empty due to the
Eid holiday.
Derna
A local army commander was shot dead by unidentified militants in the Sahil Bin Nasser area
of the city on 17 October. The man, identified as Brigadier Hussein Hinshir, was reported to
have been involved in organising the resistance to Gaddafi forces during the 2011 revolution.
Although it remains unclear who carried out the attack, unconfirmed reports claimed that the
assailants were supporters of the Gaddafi regime who had dressed like Islamist militants to
carry out the attack.
Derna is known to be a hotspot of Jihadist activity, and with little functioning security presence
the risk of violence is one of the highest in the country.
Sirte
At least two people were killed in a blast near the outskirts of the city. There are conflicting
reports as to the nature of the explosion, with one military source claiming that it occurred
when a rocket hit an Islamist camp near the city. Other reports indicate that the incident may
have been a result of the accidental detonation of ammunition held in the area. Sirte has seen
sporadic incidents of violence and unrest over the last two years, since the city's liberation by
rebel forces, and further violence is likely over the coming months.
Political Section
Prime Minister Ali Zeidan stated that the rebels who briefly abducted him from the Corinthia
hotel in central Tripoli were part of an attempted coup by his opponents in the GNC. Zeidan
stated that the group wanted to overthrow his government, meaning the incident was not only
a kidnapping of himself but also of the government. Libya continues to face political paralysis
due to infighting between different political factions, as well as the authorities' inability to
prevent autonomous militia groups from acting in their own self-interest in order to pressure
the government to cede to their demands.
Meanwhile, suspected al-Qaeda militant Abu Anas al-Libi was reportedly transferred to the
US for interrogation. His capture caused anger in Libya and has been highlighted as the main
reason behind the short kidnap of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan. A number of militant groups have
also called for attacks on US and Western targets in the country in response to the incident.
AKE is a leading international security risk-mitigation and analysis provider to international
businesses, insurers, NGOs and news media. Founded in 1991 by Andrew Kain, AKE
distinguishes itself from other security firms by taking a needs- and intelligence-led approach
to assessing, monitoring, training for and protecting against risk. For security assistance on
the situation in Libya please contact operations@akegroup.com or call +44 (0) 1432 267
111. For intelligence contact intel@akegroup.com for further information.
Ends.