Geopolitical News from the modern world

Tag archive

libya - page 2

Libya needs to lift ban on arms for better coastguards’ performance, Al-Sirraj tells EU officials

in AFRICA/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

The Head of the Presidential Council, Fayez Al-Sirraj, has received in Tripoli Tuesday the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Libya, Bettina Muscheidt, the Commander of EU Operation Sophia, Admiral Credendino, and the defense advisor for the Delegation of the European Union to Libya, in the presence of the Coast Guard Commander Abdelhamid Tumiya, and the head of the general directorate of the coast security Colonel Tariq Shanbour, as well as other officials. They all discussed counter-illegal immigration efforts, including the training of Libyan coastguards and border guards to fight away the human trafficking networks and gangs, in addition to the cooperation in information sharing. Al-Sirraj reiterated in the meeting the need for lifting the ban on arming the coastguards in order to help them fight the human trafficking gangs, adding that he looked forward to having essential and vital counter-fuel smuggling efforts as his request was answered with appointing Operation Sophia for that task.

 

Khalifa Haftar: Libyan Army is launching legitimate war in Sabratha

in AFRICA/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

Renegade Libyan General, Khalifa Haftar, has declared that one of the warring groups in Sabratha is affiliated with his self-styled army, saying the ongoing fighting in the city is legitimate. In a statement to Italy’s AKI news agency, Haftar revealed that the ISIS Fighting Operation Room is launching a legitimate war against the terrorists and human smugglers and traffickers. The power-obsessed General also denied social media claims of his meeting with Commander of Tripoli Revolutionaries’ Brigade, Haitem Tajouri, in France, saying he rejects “the principle of sitting down with leaders of undisciplined groups”. The ISIS Fighting Operation Room is made up of former army officers. It’s backed by a Salafist militia group called “Wadi Brigade”, which is controlled by followers of Madkhali sect and owes allegiance to Khalifa Haftar’s Dignity Operation. Dignity Operation spokesperson, Ahmed Al-Mismari, told Sky News Arabia TV on Sunday that the ISIS Fighting Operation Room and Wadi Salafist militia are their affiliates and they will continue the fighting until they eradicate the “terrorist groups” from Sabratha.

Tripoli clashes between Tajouri forces and Nawasi brigade leave three dead

in AFRICA/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

Three people, including a civilian, were killed in fighting last night in Tripoli’s Gurji district, west of the city centre, between the powerful Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade of Haithem Tajouri and the Nawasi Brigade. The clashes occurred late last night after Tajouri sent in forces to Gurji’s Massara area to clear it of a Nawasi unit consiting of an extended local family, the Alwad Radiah, said to be in control of it. Tajouri’s forces are reported to have succeeded. As well as the civilian killed in the fighting, one on the leaders of the Alwad Radiah was also reported killed. The third person was unidentified.The fighting was triggered by a move earlier in the evening by Nawasi to take over Tajouri’s headquarters on the corniche (Shara Al-Shatt), just opposite the TV station next to the foreign ministry buildings. There was no serious fighting, just shooting in the air, but Tajouri called in reinforcements and the corniche east of the Mahari Radisson Blu hotel was closed off. His forces were then dispatched to Gurji.

Still no ceasefire in Sabratha

in AFRICA/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

Sabratha remains quiet but still tense today with just occasional shots reportedly being fired in the town. Large parts are in the hands of the Anti-IS Operations Room (AIOR), which yesterday extended its control by seizing the famous Sabratha Roman ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site. There are worrying reports of damage to the ruins. Many fighters in the opposing 48th Battalion, which includes the Amu Brigade led by Ahmed Dabashi, are reported to have been forced to withdraw, east to Sorman and west to the Mellitah Oil and Gas complex. Meanwhile, negotiations to secure a permanent ceasefire have continued although Sabratha Media Centre, which supports the 48th Battalion, today reported that the Operations Room had again rejected a deal.The head of the town’s military council, Taher Al-Gharbali, has again demanded the Presidency Council’s government of national accord (GNA) order a ceasefire, saying that at that point his forces would take on anyone who broke it.

Public Prosecutor’s Office reveals results of interrogations on ISIS terror Group

in AFRICA/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

The press conference at the Public Prosecutor’s Office in central Tripoli by the head of the Interrogations Office of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Siddiq Soor,was held to reveal the results of preliminary interrogations with ISIS captives held in custody after their loss in the war in Sirte. Some of the main revelations indicated thAt the very first man to introduce the idea of ISIS in Libya was a man by the name of Hassan Bilaraj, who was jailed in Iraq in 2005 yet returned to Libya in 2012. Bilaraj and his early associates planned the creation of three ISIS emirates in Libya; four main institutions would make up the foundation of each emirate.The main institutions were arms, recruitment, immigration and border control and finally media. Brigades were formed to protect these institutions, the main ones being Border Protection Brigades, Recruitment Brigades and the Desert Brigades. Looking at the slideshow presented by the Prosecutor’s Office, it was clear to see that the terror group was extremely organized and well on their way to creating a full functioning state.

Libya arrests Daesh militant involved in beheading Egyptians in 2015

in AFRICA/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

Libyan authorities have arrested a man they say is suspected of involvement in the 2015 murder of 20 Egyptian Christians in Libya by the militant group Daesh. Chief of investigations at the Libyan public prosecution Al-Sadiq Al-Sour told reporters on Thursday that the murders took place behind a hotel in the coastal city of Sirte. Another victim, reportedly from Ghana, was killed along with the 20 Egyptian Copts. The arrested militant, who “watched and oversaw the incident”, gave authorities details about the killings, Al-Sour said at a press conference in Tripoli, describing the suspect as “one of most dangerous” fighters in the Group. The militant also informed authorities about where the victims’ bodies are buried.Following the killings, which were documented in a video shared online by Daesh shortly after the murders, Egypt bombed Daesh targets in Libya one day after the video was released.

Trump slams new travel restrictions on 8 countries

in AFRICA/AMERICAS/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

The Trump administration has unveiled new travel restrictions on certain foreigners from Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.The new restrictions on travel vary by country. “Making America Safe is my number one priority. We will not admit those into our country we cannot safely vet”, President Donald Trump tweeted after his administration released the details of the restrictions Sunday night.In a statement, the White House called the new restrictions a “critical step toward establishing an immigration system that protects Americans’ safety and security in an era of dangerous terrorism and transnational crime”. “We cannot afford to continue the failed policies of the past, which present an unacceptable danger to our country,” Trump was quoted as saying.Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement that with the new restrictions, “the President is carrying out his duty to protect the American people”.

Military honours for Hafter in Rome defence ministry talks

in AFRICA/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

The Libyan National Army’s Field Marshall Khalifa Hafter had talks in Rome today on military issues including possible cooperation, first with Italian chief of defence staff General Claudio Graziano and then with Italian defence minister Roberta Pinotti.He also met with Italian interior minister Marco Minniti who earlier this month had invited him to the Italian capital. The meeting with Graziano focused on possible collaboration in the LNA’s fight against terrorism and the battle against smuggling. The two talked also about immigration and the Italian military’s support for the Libyan coast guard as well as the role of the Italian field hospital in Misrata.The atmosphere was much more collaborative and cordial than had been the case before the Minniti’s icebreaking visit to Benghazi earlier this month.After the session with Graziano, Hafter had an hour-long meeting at Palazzo Baracchini with Pinotti in. She is reported to have stressed upon the field marshal that Rome fully supported the efforts of UN special envoy Gassam Salamé to make the Libyan political dialogue work and believed that there could be no military solution to the country’s crisis. For his part, Haftar is reported as thanking the Italians for providing treatment in Italian hospitals for LNA soldiers wounded in the fight against the militants. Although there was no announcement about it, Minniti later divulged that he too had had talks with Hafter during the day.

Libyan coastguard burn refugee vessel in Mediterranean

in AFRICA/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

A Libyan coastguard unit has been filmed destroying a boat used to traffic people by setting it ablaze. The waters between the north African coastline and the EU continue to draw illegal people smugglers in high numbers, while authorities push to prevent it.The incident adds to the maritime force’s already growing reputation for intimidating tactics.In part funded by the EU to keep migrants from reaching European shores, the Libyan naval defense intercepted 1,074 refugees in the Mediterranean on Saturday.The operation saw refugees picked up by the coastguard west of the capital Tripoli, before being transferred to city of Zawiya, Reuters reports.Around €46 million in EU funding has been poured into boosting the capacities of Libyan border patrols. In July, the EU said the money would be largely used in “strengthening” the coastguard of the civil war-hit nation.

Dignity Operation militiaman shoots police officer in Benghazi

in AFRICA/PRESS RELEASE/REGIONS by

A policeman has sustained injuries in an attack by a militiaman from Khalifa Haftar’s self-styled army in Masakim neighborhood in the eastern city of Benghazi. Lieutenant Colonel Jamal Al-Amami told Bawabt Alwaset news outlet that “a Special Forces soldier opened fire at Ahmed Al-Orifi, a police officer from Abu-Atny Police Station, while doing his job at one of the crossroads in Masakim.Al-Amami explained that Al-Orifi was injured and underwent a successful surgery, stressing that such action “does not represent the Special Forces, but represents the perpetrator only”.The reason for the armed attack was not revealed.

pressrelease
0 £0.00
Go to Top
× How can I help you?