Libya: Closing In On Islamic State's Stronghold
| Publisher | Jamestown Foundation |
| Author | Alexander Sehmer |
| Publication Date | 13 June 2016 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | Terrorism Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 12 |
| Cite as | Jamestown Foundation, Libya: Closing In On Islamic State's Stronghold, 13 June 2016, Terrorism Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 12, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/576263a14.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Link to original story on Jamestown website
Libyan forces have had a run of luck against Islamic State (IS) fighters in recent weeks, with two separate militias capturing several towns and closing in on the extremists' stronghold of Sirte.
The Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), the unit set up to protect Libya's oil installations, took control of the town of Ben Jawad on May 30 and moved on to capture Nawfiliyah, forcing IS fighters back towards Sirte (Libya Herald, June 1). Misratan-led militias, meanwhile, have closed in on Sirte from the west and the south. As June got under way, they were apparently as close as the al-Gardabiya airbase, just 20km away, and have continued to advance since (Libya Observer, June 4). Progress for both the PFG and the Misratan-led forces has been relatively slow as IS has reportedly mined the surrounding area. Despite this, Sirte now potentially faces a three-pronged attack (Libya Herald, June 8).
If that attack comes - which as of June 9, following somewhat of a lull, looks likely - there could be a long battle ahead. IS is thought to have heavily fortified Sirte. The advancing forces will face thousands of fighters and potentially suicide bombers and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). There also remains the question of just how unified an assault will be. The Misratan-led forces have been brought together under the Bunyan Marsous Operations Room (BMOR), established by Prime Minister Faiez Serraj, head of the Government of National Accord (GNA) (Libya Herald, June 8). According to BMOR, they are working with the PFG. Amid Libya's fractious politics, however, it is unlikely to be that simple.
The PFG is not a natural ally for the Misratans, and the PFG have a separate command. As the PFG closed in on Nawfiliyah, Serraj, and Ahmed Maiteeq, a deputy prime minister met with Salem Jadhran, the mayor of Ajdabiya and brother of PFG commander Ibrahim (Libya Herald, June 1). Although this was officially about run-of-the-mill municipal affairs, Salem Jadhran was likely hoping to secure reassurances for his brother if he continued to pursue IS.
Meanwhile, the Libyan army, which pursued IS fighters as they fled from Derna in April, has maintained its distance. It is unclear if it will join an offensive. The army's leader, General Khalifa Haftar, has so far refused to fall in line with Serraj and the GNA, and his troops may hang back. A successful assault on Sirte without him could leave him isolated and dangerous. There is a possibility that the increasingly successful military campaign against IS could come at the expense of the battle for political unity in Libya.