Libyan Field Marshal Haftar's forces launch air strikes agianst opponents

Air strikes were carried out by forces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar associated with the eastern-based House of Representatives (HoR) government a rival to the UN-supported Government of National Accord(GNA) based in the west in Tripoli.

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Ahmed al-Mismari, a spokesperson for Haftar's Libyan National Army said the strikes were against a camp of LNA opponents, the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) in the central Jufra region. The BDB are a radical Islamist militia who are opponents of Haftar and have clashed with Haftar's forces before. Recently, they unsuccessfully attempted to take the Oil Crescent Oil ports from Haftar who had captured them from another opponent Ibrahim Jadhran, former head of the Petroleum Facilities Guard(PFG) in the east. Two earlier counter-attacks also failed. Haftar's Operation Dignity started in May 2014 was meant to clear Islamist militias opposed to him from Libya. Haftar has even threatened to liberate Tripoli by attacking his Islamist militia opponents there. So far there has been no attempt to actually enter Tripoli. Any attempt to do so could unite those opposed to him who are presently divided between those who support the coup attempt of the General National Congress(GNC) and former Salvation government and those who support the GNA.

Al-Mismari claimed: "This was a pre-emptive strike against militias that are mobilising for an attack against the Libyan army." Local media sites have shown thick smoke rising from the oasis town of Hun where the attack took place. The BDB has made no statement on the attack and has reported no casualties as yet.

The Libya Observer gives a more detailed account of the airstrikes quoting the Misrata Military Council as saying that the attacks were against the 9-19 Brigade in Hun town, Al-Jufra. The Council said that there were injuries and material damage as a result of the raids. The Council said: “The brigade that was targeted in Hun is part of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos and part of the war against IS terror groups in Sirte. It had sacrificed many of its fighters in the war on IS radicals." The Council said that at the right time and place it would strongly react to the attacks and warned the LNA forces of doing anything that could destabilize the country. Unlike other sources, the Observer does not describe the units as part of the BDB.

The media office of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous or BAM, also condemned the bombing. BAM is the Operations Room that ran the Sirte offensive that just recently completed the recapture of Sirte from the Islamic State. Haftar has been dismissive of the operation which has seen hundreds of BAM forces killed and thousands wounded. A Haftar official said:The Chief of staff of Dignity Operation militia groups Abdul-Razzaq Nadouri has denied the previous control of ISIS group of Libya's Sirte, indicating the presence of the radical group in the coastal city was drama....." In fact, there was no ISIS group in Sirte," he told UAE-funded Libya Channel.

He claimed that all Misrata forces had left Sirte and handed it over to Ansar Sharia group, which is in full control of the city now, according to him.Although, Haftar had at one time announced an operation to liberate Sirte, he ended up not doing so and instead took control of a number of oil fields. One wonders who killed and wounded so many BAM forces if there were no Islamic State fighters in Sirte.

Although the 9-19 brigade was involved in the Sirte offensive, the GNA has not come to their defense or denounced the airstrikes against them. The GNA has denied any involvement in the recent failed counter-attack against the oil ports. The Libya Herald also reports on the airstrikes. The article claims the attacks were on the Tagrift base, a former police headquarters, located in Hun, about three hours drive from oil fields controlled by the LNA. The 9-19 brigade is described as being one of the Benghazi Defence Brigades by LNA spokesperson Ahmed Mismari. Mismari also said that soon there will be an endorsement for the LNA to enter Tripoli "to protect civilians". He did not say who would endorse an attack on Tripoli. So far the LNA allies, the Zintan Brigades have refused to agree to join in a military action against Tripoli.

The LNA has warned of impending attacks against the eastern oilfields. However, the LNA has also warned that it will engage in pre-emptive action. Omar Laswad from Zintan, a boycotting member of the GNA Presidency Council warned that an attack was being planned against the eastern oil terminals now controlled by Haftar. According to the Libya Herald:The BDB are supported by the proposed Defense Minister of the GNA Mahdi Bargathi and are deemed loyal to the Grand Mufti Sadeq Ghariani. Ibrahim Jadran as well as PC member Mijibri are also believed to be in support of the BDB.Note that some claims in Libyan media may be disputed by one side or the other in the conflict. What seems clear though is that there could be a dangerous escalation of the Libyan conflict if Haftar carries through with his threat to try to occupy Tripoli.

Islamic State cleared from most of Sirte but resistance still fierce

The forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure or BAM) are engaged in a final advance to clear out the last remaining fighters of the Islamic State (IS) or Daesh from their former stronghold of Sirte.

BAM forces are loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord. BAM's media center said: "Our forces are advancing inside parts of district Number Three where the Daesh remnants are entrenched." The BAM offensive has been backed by U.S. air support since August 1 and there are also small numbers of special forces from the UK and US helping out in the offensive. The IS had occupied Sirte since June of 2015.

The cost of the offensive is high as just on Sunday 38 BAM forces were killed and 185 wounded as they took district one. In yesterday's fighting at least 10 BAM fighters were killed. The Misrata hospital has been overwhelmed by the number of wounded coming from the front. On Sunday, the main reception area was used as an emergency area to treat injured fighters. Doctor Akram Jumaa described Sunday as "blood day": “I carried out dozens of surgeries that lasted until this morning, and some others are still ongoing.” Space is so limited up to five or six fighters are put together in a single room.

There are estimated to about one thousand fighters involved in the offensive. Since the conflict began more than 400 BAM fighters have been killed and almost 2,500 wounded. An Afriqyah Airways plane had its tires vandalized as it was about to take off with wounded BAM fighters. Lax security at the Mitiga airport was blamed for the vandalism.

On Sunday, BAM forces captured the Qurtoba mosque which was controlled by the IS. The IS used a total of 12 booby-trapped cars to halt the BAM advance but many were exploded before they could reach their targets with the help of US airstrikes.

Spokesperson for BAM military operations, Mohammed al-Ghasri said that all clashes are now taking place in residential area three and Jiza, a military sea district north of residential area one and adjacent to residential area three. Al-Ghasri said: “War will come to an end once this battle ended. We’re still investigating the validity of the news that IS militants have their families with them inside the area, where they are trapped."

Heavy losses to forces loyal to Libyan unity government in offensive against ISIS in Sirte

The fighters of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure or BAM), loyal to the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord, have suffered heavy losses in what has been described as the final push to drive the Islamic State (IS) from Sirte.

Most of the members of BAM come from the city of Misrata. Sirte is the last stronghold held by the IS in Libya as they lost the city of Derna to rival Islamists earlier this year. The offensive began in May and advanced quickly until entering Sirte where BAM has met fierce resistance. After August 1st the offensive was helped by U.S. bombing attacks which lately have also involved an advanced helicopter gunship.

The final advance was announced over two weeks ago. A Digital Journal article of August 16th had a headline saying that almost all Sirte had been freed from IS control. However, two weeks later even with U.S. air strikes for support and the U.K. and U.S. special forces helping, the battle still rages. What is even worse is that the toll of dead is rising quickly. Today, August 28, 34 BAM fighters were reported killed and more than 180 wounded according to Reuters. The BAM forces have been killed by landmines, sniper fire, and suicide bombings. A recent tweet puts the death toll today even higher: " Death toll among #BAM forces in today fighting in #Sirte rose to 37 KIA and 217 wounded. #ISIS #Libya."

One tweet suggests that the offensive has been over-hyped: "Why no questioning about consistent misleading media hype about Sirte #Libya? And why no questioning re: U.S. airstrikes and #ISIS casualties?" Perhaps the media hype was due to a too optimistic view of the situation and an underestimation of the defense that the IS was able to mount to stem the advances. Even after U.S. air attacks the defenders have been able to exact a heavy toll as is evident from today's casualties. There certainly is a question about ISIS casualties as no one seems to be keeping good track of them. It is not clear how many prisoners are being taken as well.

On Sunday, brigades advanced in the last two areas occupied by the IS. There were advances along the seafront in Number One residential neighborhood, and also advances in street-to-street fighting in neighborhood number three. The BAM forces used tanks, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft guns to try to break through IS positions. The IS had attempted five suicide car bombings at least one of which was destroyed before reaching its target. The pause in the battle earlier this week was to allow wives and children of IS fighters to leave the zone. Pauses are sometimes made to allow technicians to clear mines from an area before further advances are made. Most of the 80,000 residents have left as well as many IS fighters who have probably dispersed throughout Libya and even to neighboring countries.

A tweet provides some idea of the extent of recent advances: "#Libya | The 166th battalion states that the forces control 50% of the neighborhood 1 and a large part of the neighborhood 3 as well." The IS had captured Sirte in June of 2015.

A spokesperson for the BAM forces, Reda Issa said: "Our forces entered the last areas held by Daesh in Sirte: district number one and district number three. The final battle for Sirte has started." "Daesh" is an Arabic term for the IS. Given that the Headquarters of the IS and many other areas have been seized recently announcing a final battle at this stage may not be premature.

Forces loyal to GNA ready to attack Islamic State headquarters in Sirte Libya

The forces of Al-Bonyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure) or BAM, loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Unity (GNA) have now reached a decisive phase as they begin an attack on the Islamic State headquarters in Sirte.

The media of Al-Bonyan Al-Marsous claims that the key 700 neighborhood has now been taken and the sprawling headquarters of the Islamic State, the Ouagadougou center, is now under attack. The center was built by Gadaffi in his hometown of Sirte to host conferences. The media office claims that the fighting will rage in the coming days. Most of the forces are members of Misrata militia. Suicide attacks, snipers, and improvised explosive devices have slowed the advance against the remaining IS fighters.

There are already reports of casualties from fighting at the IS headquarters: ‏"@Lyobserver 2 fighters killed, 25 others injured as fierce fighting to retake Ouagadougou Conference Hall continues". An earlier tweet has photos of the BAM forces in the 700 neighborhood: "‏@LibyaschannelEN #BunyanMarsus OpsRoom publishes photos from #Area700 now under control & advance toward #Ouagadougou center #Sirte " Another tweet indicates that the Conference Hall is about to be taken over by BAM forces: ‏@Lyobserver Reports: Strategic IS building of Ouagadougou Conference Hall is about to fall into the hands of Misrata-led forces

Sirte was taken last year by the Islamic State along with a considerable stretch of coastline to the east and west. Now two months into an offensive by forces loyal to the GNA, mostly militia from Misrata, the IS is encircled in a confined area in the middle of Sirte. The Misratan commanders are reluctant to advance too rapidly because they risk high casualties both to themselves and civilians being used as human shields by the IS. Most of the fighters feel let down by the GNA as they lack helmets, flak jackets, and night vision equipment. They do have support from small numbers of special forces from the UK and the US. A local commander said: "Everyone knows we are fighting here with basic weapons, it was a lie that they said they would help us, But we can finish this war ourselves." Yet the GNA has yet to request assistance for them. Many in the GNA worry that the Misrata militia gain too much power and perhaps end up fighting with Khalifa Haftar, the commander in chief of the Libyan National Army associated with the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR). In the past Haftar has regarded all militia associated with the GNA as his enemies and certainly the Misrata militia are opposed to Haftar. Both Haftar and the HoR have so far not recognized the GNA and Haftar has refused to be part of a unified command under the Presidential Council of the GNA. However, he has changed his position of late and claims he could cooperate with some GNA militia. There have been numerous meetings of the HoR to vote confidence in the GNA but all but two lacked a quorum. The other two were disrupted with no vote. It is not clear when the next meeting will happen.

Western officials had estimated that about 6,000 IS fighters had massed in Sirte with many recruits from foreign countries including Tunisia and other African countries. The Misrata militia claim the figure was far too high and that the number was closer to 2,000 with probably as few as 600 left surrounded in the center of the city. The militants took over city institutions such as banks. They forced merchants to pay a tax and set up their own Islamic court. Barbers were banned from shaving off beards. Mohamed Gnaidy intelligence chief for the Misrata forces said: "We know this is not just a fight against the group in Sirte. After Sirte other pockets will appear, We know they could stage suicide attacks, bombs on other cities."

Forces loyal to GNA continue to advance in Sirte but with losses

Forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure) allied with the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord are making some progress against the Islamic State (IS) encircled in the city of Sirte but are suffering significant casualties in the process.

One report claims the Solid Structure forces, mostly militia from Misrata, lost four of their troops on Friday in fighting in the port area as militants tried to flee by sea. Ten IS fighters were said to be killed. The offensive was launched last month and ground was quickly recaptured, with the remaining IS fighters surrounded in the middle of the city. Progress has slowed as the troops have met fierce resistance by snipers and suicide bombers. Rida Issa, spokesperson for Solid Structure, said:

 "Brigades of Bonyan Marsous intercepted a group of Islamic State militants on Friday attempting to escape from the coastal side of the city, The clashes were massive and have resulted in four troops killed and 24 wounded. After the clashes ended, our forces found about 10 bodies of militants."The GNA has no official national army but brigades of former rebel militia who often turn against each other and whose loyalty to the GNA may be questionable.

Another report indicates that the IS has taken over a hotel on the coast and is positioning snipers on top of it and other buidlings. On Wednesday, the Solid Structure forces suffered serious casualties, with 35 soldiers killed and over 150 injured. Nevertheless the pro-GNA forces have been able to repel counter-attacks and advance further. Hamza Hassan a fighter from the Misrata 166 Brigade said:“The only problem we’re facing is suicide car bombs. We’re taking out their tires, firing heavy weapons at them and closing roads The guerrilla warfare is similar to 2011 but these are a different breed of people. They put their hands in the air so you think they’re surrendering and then detonate themselves.”Hassam's brigade is charged with preventing IS fighters from escaping by sea. The IS has not been able to use larger ships due to efforts to prevent boats from leaving the harbor. Drones are being used to locate snipers with the equipment being provided by special forces from the UK and US. The Islamic State may not last past Ramadan which ends in just over two weeks.

Spokesperson for the Solid Structure, Mohammed Al-Ghasri claims that the next two days will see the fighters enter the penultimate stage in the battle against the IS in Sirte. He said the IS fighters either had to surrender or die. He noted: “IS militants are still holing up in front of Sirte hospital and parts from neighborhoods 1 and 2, barricading themselves in few areas within a 5km space.” He said the group needed mine-sweeping tools and better support for the injured.

Pro-GNA forces advance further into last stronghold of Islamic State in Libya, Sirte

The forces of the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Foundation) mostly militia from the city of Misrata, are advancing further into the city of Sirte after surrounding the remaining Islamic State (IS) fighters in the center of the city.

The IS headquarters at Ouagadougou Center is about 3 kilometers from the checkpoint from which Salem Taleb can observe it through his binoculars, but IS fighters are just 1.5 kilometers away in three buildings. Taleb belongs to the Third Military Force one of the Misrata brigades. Taleb said: “They have rockets, snipers and they use suicide cars. They currently attack at night because it’s a full moon." The checkpoint is south of Sirte on the main road to Benghazi. The militia are told to stay put and ensure that no IS fighters escape from Sirte.

A commander of the Solid Foundation said: “IS is trapped in a 25-square-kilometre area in Sirte. They can’t leave. We’ve decided to lay siege to them until they run out of ammunition.This strategy will cost less lives and less destruction than launching a massive offensive with airstrikes”.

The head of the Misrata military council estimates that there are only about 500 IS fighters left in Sirte. He estimates that there were about 2,500 there before the offensive. Other sources in the military estimate that around 800 to 1000 fighters have been killed.

While the Misrata forces occupy some of the port, the IS still have access to part of it. Reda Essa, local commander of the coastguard says: “We have two tugboats with machine guns on them, a 16-metre boat with light weapons and two Zodiac boats to protect the port. We have no help from other Libyan cities, not even from Tripoli”. There seems to be little help given those fighting against IS. The international community has always stressed the danger that IS in Libya poses for much of the EU but does nothing to help out those fighting to eliminate the threat. Essa said the the Solid Foundation forces were advancing quite cautiously: “The pro-government forces are advancing cautiously because ISIS fighters are barricaded inside homes and we are trying to avoid using heavy artillery to spare civilians who could also be inside,”

Planes trying to fly wounded to EU countries for treatment have not been allowed to land. Losses to the Solid Foundation forces have been more than 200 killed and more than 500 wounded. Another report claims that losses were 170 fighters killed and more than 700 injured. Description of the terrible conditions in the Misrata hospital can be found here.

Although a daily report is sent to the Presidency Council (PC) of the GNA, mostly brigades themselves decide what to do. Rami Ragou, chief of a brigade from Nalut, which protects the Zaafran roundabout at the west entrance of Sirte, says he makes the decisions with respect to his brigade. He says that his brigade will soon run out of ammunition: “I haven’t received anything. We’ll have to go back to Nalut for ammunition.” Most fighters including Ragou's men lack basic equipment such as helmets or bullet-proof jackets. The only real help the Solid Foundation troops receive is from a handful of US and UK special operations forces who are working with them.

In recent gains, fighters on Tuesday took the Sirte Radio, the Electricity Company, the Baher neighborhood and parts of the 700 neighborhood. Snipers and suicide bombers make any advance difficult and costly. The spokesperson for the Solid Foundation forces, Brigadier Mohammed All-Gosri complained about the lack of support for the offensive: "We are fighting ISIS on behalf of the world, but they care about Syria and Iraq and ignore Libya." Al-Gosri noted that his troops faced professional IS snipers while lacking helmets or bullet proof vests. On Tuesday alone 36 fighers were killed and 159 injured as they advanced in Sirte. Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary General said that no weapons would be provided to forces fighting the IS in Sirte until the UN was sure of the loyalty of the forces involved. Apparently losing many lives while attacking Sirte is not a sufficient test.

The offensive against Sirte was an operation not run by the UN or the GNA but which the GNA had to accept since the Misrata militia support the GNA. The GNA also had to respond to Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA) who was also pledging to liberate Sirte but refused to join a unified command with the PC as commander in chief unlike the Misrata militia. The UN and the international community want to be in control of events but they have not been able to control this offensive and so they will help it as little as they can, although the special forces involved may develop relations with the militia that the international community may find useful.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/op-ed-pro-gna-forces-advance-in-libya-but-angry-at-lack-of-support/article/468332#ixzz4DIM7JMdn

Forces of UN-brokered Libyan unity government take control of port o Sirte from the Islamic State.

Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure) forces, mostly militia from Misrata have captured the port in the last remaining stronghold of the Islamic State, the city of Sirte.

The remaining Islamic State fighters are now entirely surrounded within the city. Many had already escaped the city. Earlier numbers placed the numbers of IS fighters at up to 6,000 but this appears an exaggeration. 

A residential area in the east of the city was also taken. The fall of Sirte would leave IS without any significant territory in Libya although it could still launch terror attacks and has some presence in Benghazi yet it would seem. Sirte was the home town of Gadaffi and there are many loyalists there.

Fighting is said to be raging around a conference center, the Islamic State headquarters. Air strikes were carried out on the center. It is reported that 11 of the militia forces were killed and 45 wounded on Friday.

Hospitals are overcrowded and in need of medical supplies and apparently planes carrying wounded to Italy have not been allowed to land. Flights to Italy and elsewhere to treat the wounded are being blocked by NATO  as mentioned in this tweet: "Outrageous: UN US EU NATO applaud Misrata for battling #ISIS @ Sirte #Libya while blocking evacuation of war wounded"

Brett McGurk, Barack Obama's anti-ISIS envoy said that numbers of ISIS in Libya had probably plateaued at 5,000.  There are certainly not that many left in Sirte. McGurk said:“I just don’t want to get ahead of the situation because it remains pretty fluid. But we’re encouraged by the progress they’re making.  Once you have a credible force on the ground that moves against them, there is a chance that they could crack pretty quickly". 

A recent tweet notes:   ISIS in Sirte and their territory that a month ago extended 250km along the coast. Now ISIS is besieged in 20km-square area within #Sirte"  The appended map also shows the huge shrinkage in territory controlled by ISIS since May. McGurk is behind the times. Anotherrecent tweet indicates that clashes are ongoing on all fronts: Clashes all fronts East, West & South, heavy clashes within the city of #Sirte - suggestions city will be liberated within days/hrs. #Libya

​McGurk said that the US was willing to work with General Haftar, commander in chief of the Libyan National Army associated with the rival House of Representatives (HoR) But McGurk made it clear that Haftar had to recognize the authority of the UN-backed Government of National Accord(GNA). Haftar has made it clear he will not do so until the HoR gives a vote of confidence in the GNA. This is supposed to take place on Monday. 

There have been many meetings most without a quorum and two disrupted but without any vote. Haftar has said he will not join with GNA forces until all the militias are disbanded. That is not likely to happen any time soon as the GNA depends upon them for security. Haftar announced about three weeks ago he would liberate Sirte but has not had any clashes with them meanwhile, the Misrata militia from the west and the Petroleum Facilities Guard in the east closed in on Sirte. 

Al Bunyan A Marssoos (Solid Structure)

Islamic State has lost virtually all its territory in Libya except part of city of Sirte

A spokesperson for the forces attacking Sirte from the east, Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure) Mohammed Al-Ghasri confirms that Misrata-led forces forces from the west and Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) from the east have now seized the Harawa district to the east of Sirte.

Al-Ghasri boasted: “The battle for Sirte has been won by our forces, the die is cast, IS militants have completely collapsed and we will free the city in a matter of two days.”

The forces entered into Sirte on Wednesday capturing several military camps including Al-Jalit and Tagreft. They also took control of the Buhadi districts and the Zafaran roundabout where IS hung opponents.

It is only 5 kilometers, about three miles, to the city center. The Misrata militias from the west have now joined up with the PFG forces from the east.

A tweet also announced the takeover of the town ofHarawa:"LibyaschannelEN  ‏@LibyaschannelEN #BunyanMarsus Ops Room announces liberation of #Harawa almost exactly one year after the village was seized by #IS."

The Solid Structure forces are loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). 

There has been air support for some operations. Inside the city of Sirte the Solid Structure forces are advancing to take the Ougadougou Conference Hall one of the headquarters of the Islamic State. A recent tweet says: Air force bombs #ISIS targets near Ouagadougou Conference Hall as ground forces r preparing to launch a military offensive 2retake the hall.  

There have been severe casualties to the Solid Structure forces. A tweet reports: "15 killed + 95 wounded Yesterday vs #daesh #misrata_hospital." There is a dire shortage of medical supplies. In one city not too far from Misrata, Bani Walid, a tweet says the hospital is virtually deserted: " Ali al-Nagrat: Bani Walid hospital is almost deserted because it lacks equipment and medicine". Another tweet has the Presidential Council (PC) of the Government of National Accord (GNA) pleading with the international community for help:"#GNA PC says int'l community has moral responsibility to provide urgent medical aid to forces fighting #IS in #Sirte."

Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in a recent news releasenoted the progress against Daesh or the Islamic State and commended those who were fighting against terrorism in all parts of Libya "including in Benghazi and Derna".

Kobler asked for a ceasefire in Benghazi which Khalifa Haftar, commander in chief of the Libyan Natioal Army (LNA) ignored him.

The terrorists in Derna that Haftar is fighting with his Operation Volcano are the Shura Council of Derna Jihadists who deny they have any connection to Al Qaeda and were instrumental in driving the Islamic State out of Derna and surrounding area. Haftar has been bombing Derna for days. I enclose a photo of some of the damage. He characterizes the Council members as part of Al Qaeda.

Events have moved quickly since Kobler's news release and the Islamic State will soon hold no territory in Libya. No doubt there are many sleeper cells throughout the country who will wage terror attacks.  

The Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) has yet to vote confidence in the GNA.

Although numerous meetings have been called to do so, they were either lacking a quorum, or were disrupted. No vote has been taken.  

A tweet announces that a meeting for a vote will be held on Monday: "Mohamed Eljarh‏@Eljarh HoR session on Monday announced by Agilah Saleh in #Tobruk. Unlikely that pro-GNA HoR members would join him for the session. #Libya."  

Saleh is sanctioned by the EU for actions impeding the implementation of the Libya Political Agreement (LPA).  An alleged majority of the HoR have agreed to the GNA in principle. It may be that they fear if they come to Tobruk they will again not be allowed to vote.

It is not at all clear why the HoR is unable to provide security for the vote.

This sets a terrible example for the future role of the HoR as the legislature of the GNA.

Two-front attack shrinking territory held by Islamic State in Libya

After advancing very close to Sirte and threatening to surround it, forces loyal to the UN-brokered Government of National Accord from the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous operation seem to have paused and may be consolidating their positions.

The apparent pause in the advance from the west happens at the same time as the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), Martin Kobler, is visiting Misrata the home of most of the militia involved in the fight against IS. This has prompted the following tweet:"GNA force progress in #sirt stopped after @KoblerSRSG visit to #Misrata Any body explain?" It may be that the forces are just consolidating their gains and also that the IS plants many mines that must be cleared. Perhaps there are discussions about what the next steps may be. The advance had been rather rapid until recently.

An IS senior leader, Khaled Al-Shayeb, was apparently killed in recent clashes with the Misrata militia. His body was identified by IS prisoners held in Tripoli. He had long been regarded as already dead: Al-Shayeb is a prominent IS senior leader in North Africa and the commander of IS militants in Algeria and Tunisia. He is also the main suspect in the attack that killed many European tourists in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, last year.

On the eastern front, the Petroleum Forces Guard (PFG) appear to be continuing to advance.They have now cleared Bin Jawad completely . They have moved on to another town to the west according to the Libya Oberver. All Al-Hassi, spokesperson for the OFG said that the group took control of the town of A-Naufileya, which lies just 120 kilometers from the IS stronghold of Sirte. He claimed that IS has retreated to Harawa which is only 50 kilometers, about 30 miles from Sirte. He said that there were no casualties when the town was taken. Engineering units are busy defusing mines. The Libyan Express also reports on the advance.

Ibrahim Jodhran, who at least until recently headed the PFG, is a supporter of the GNA and an opponent of Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) associated with the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR). He was fired by the HoR but the firing never seems to have taken effect. There is a recent tweet that claims he has been replaced by the GNA, but apparently he does not object: "#GNA appoints Ali Alahrash head of #OFG (Oil field guard) #Libya " This could be very bad news for Haftar since it will place the PFG and the territory they guard firmly under the control of the GNA, which Haftar does not recognize. Haftar would like to ensure he has control of the three main ports in the oil crescent that the PFG guard.

Haftar is busy with a council of war. One of the topics is plans for liberating Sirte. He has been advancing on the IS for weeks and has yet to have a single engagement with them. His latest actions in his Operation Volcano against the Shura Council of Derna, is to bomb headquarters of Korean and Turkish companies in the city. The Shura Council of Derna Jihadists were instrumental in clearing out IS from Derna. However, the Council includes Ansar al-Sharia branded as a terrorist group and responsible for the attack on the US embassy. Haftar chooses to pick his terrorists to attack on strategic grounds but all his enemies are branded as Islamic terrorists. Westerners laughed when Gadaffi said that. If Haftar does not act soon, those loyal to the GNA may have already captured the IS stronghold of Sirte.

GNA-loyal forces consolidate hold on territory regained from the Islamic State near Misrata

The militia from Misrata who recently retook territory captured by the Islamic State(IS) east and south of Misrata appear to be consolidating their position before advancing further towards the city of Sirte the IS stronghold.

According to the Libya Observer:

 The media bureau of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure) military operation said military forces and backup came from western and southern Libya by sea, air and land to join the operation’s forces, who are already positioned in southern and western Sirte.The bureau added that a certain calm prevailed at the front lines as the Misrata militia were consolidating their positions and the military engineering unit was defusing deadly mines.

Air force planes targeted IS positions in the town of Al-Baghia to pave the way for entering it. IS forces are still in control of parts of the road between the city of Al-Jufra and Abu-Grein and are planting land mines to stop the advance of the Solid Structure forces to Al-Baghia checkpoint. There has been a new development from the east where Haftar's troops are making no attempt to engage with the Islamic State, even though he said he was advancing to liberate Sirte weeks ago. The Observer reports: On Sunday, The commander of the Ajdabia border department, Bashir Abu Thefera, said that they will form a new operations chamber, in cooperation with Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos operations chamber, to lead the battle against IS from the eastern region, pointing out that it will cover the districts and towns from Ajdabia to Sirte.An attack from the east could cause great difficulties for IS it likely does not have enough forces to protect two fronts at once.

The international community has been promising to provide support including weapons and ammunition for the fight against the Islamic State but it has been slow in coming. The GNA first has to make a request for an exemption from the arms embargo. Ibrahim Dabbashi, Libya's ambassador to the UN, however, urged that the GNA not fund what he called "the militias," an apparent reference to the Misrata brigades who appear to be the only forces actively fighting the Islamic State. No doubt Dabbashi is supporting Haftar and the HoR on this matter.

He tweeted: "Sirte battle is not a militia war, it's a regular army's one. Attempting to prevent the army from liberating Sirte is kind of crazy." The problem is that Haftar is not fighting the Islamic State but concentrating on his Operation Volcano "liberating" Derna from the Shura Council jihadists who were instrumental in driving the Islamic State from Derna. Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) does not recognize the GNA and regards many of its members as its enemies. What would be crazy would be for the GNA to arm the LNA at this point.