US bombing strikes reported beyond city of Sirte in Llbya

Apparently, the United States has extended its bombing campaign in Libya which until now has been confined to attacks on the last remaining Islamic State (IS) fighters in the city of Sirte.

The Libya Observer reports on the strikes, claiming that sources from the Municipality of Bani Walid to the east and south of Tripoli confirmed the airstrikes in an area southwest of the city. They claimed that the planes were likely American. Apparently, the bombs hit Wadi Al Makarkan and Saiba where two armed vehicles were found on a desert path. The route is used by the IS to move around.

Sources close to the Presidential Council (PC) of the Government of National Accord claim that PM Faiez Serraj had met with the chief of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Tunisia to discuss expanding airstrikes in Libya Attackson IS positions in Sirte began on August 1.

The U.S. Africa Command is acting on the request of and in coordination with the GNA. On August 22nd the Command reported that it attacked an IS supply truck and ten fighting positions. This brings the total number of strikes since August 1 to 77. The Command said that the strikes will help prevent the IS from having a haven from which to attack the U.S. and its allies.

The U.S. is using the Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra Helicopter on some of the attacks. Last weekend the helicopter gunships were said to be used in nine air strikes. An official said that the IS fighters were now holed up in the densest most built-up part of Sire, and that the helicopter was adept at fighting in such a situation. The Libyan forces on the ground give the helicopter information as to where the enemy is located.

With the help of the U.S. bombing attack and also special forces from the U.S. and U.K. among others on the ground, the forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos or BAM, loyal to the GNA, have been able to clear the IS from all but a few remaining areas of Sirte. As BAM advances it is thought that many IS fighters have fled to other parts of Libya or even beyond. Some are said to have gone towards the border with Algeria and Niger where security is lacking. Among the Libyan cities thought to be a risk, according to the Libyan Gazette, is Bani Walid: "Bani Walid, a Libyan city located between Tripoli and Misrata in the country’s southern region, is said to be in a vulnerable state and might be ISIS’s next target." Bani Walid, as Sirte, had -or has- many Gadaffi sympathizers. Even though the IS may lose its last territory in Sirte, it can launch terror attacks from many locations where it has sleeper cells. The bombing attacks near Bani Walid may indicate that the U.S. is going to play a role throughout Libya wherever intelligence shows that IS units are active. This is somewhat similar to the role that the U.S. has been playing for some time in Yemen in relationship to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State in Yemen. As you can see from the appended video, BAM fighters still do not have basic equipment such as helmets.

Libyan city of Bani Walid under seige

Residents of the city of Bani Walid have been surrounded the past week by government forces. The siege is part of an attempt to arrest those responsible for killing the man who is credited with capturing Gadaffi.

Bani Walid residents are suffering from lack of food, drugs, and other supplies. The residents are calling on the UN for help. Amnesty International has asked Libyan authorities to avoid force if possible and also to allow medical supplies and other vital supplies into the city. On October 4th, local doctors claim that a group of armed men stopped three vehicles carrying medical supplies, personnel, and oxygen from entering Bani Walid. The armed group had set up a checkpoint about 80 kilometers from the city.

Libya's ruling General National Congress approved the use of force to arrest those suspected of killing Omran Shaaban, who is credited with capturing Gadaffi. Dr. Abdul-hamid Alshandoli, a member of Bani Walid's social council said:“Right now, the armed forces are attacking our city at the eastern boundary between us and Misrata city,." The government called for some prisoners held in the city to be handed over to the government. The ten day deadline to do so has passed with no action as yet.

The chief of staff of the Libyan army called on residents to hand over the requested individuals or face a military assault. Amnesty International has reported that hundreds of Bani Walid residents have already been arrested by armed militias. The organization complains that those arrested continue to be detained without any charges being laid. Amnesty also claims that many have been tortured and otherwise ill treated.

In spite of army threats, large numbers of Bani Walid residents have turned out in the city to protest the army demands. Alshandoli said:

“Many armed groups came to main entrance of Bani Walid and they asked the people to get out of the city. We have decided not to go because we want to defend our rights, our homes, and our families."

Bani Walid was one of the last cities to fall under the control of anti-Gaddafi forces last year.

The city has been at odds with the new government for some time and its residents have also often been arrested and detained in poor conditiions for being Gadaffi loyalists. There is almost no chance that the UN or any western countries will intervene to try to negotiate a peaceful end to the standoff.

Libya: City of Bani Walid still under control of Gadaffi loyalists

Bani Walid south of Tripoli the Libyan capital was a Gadaffi stronghold. Although captured by rebels four months ago resentment has simmered ever since. The residents accuse the rebels of raiding homes, looting, and even torturing those seized.

About a month ago armed Gadaffi loyalists threw out the rebels freed prisoners from jail and set up their own local government. An attempt by the rebels to take back the town failed. The NTC has not as yet sent forces to free the city.

An article in Al Jazeera with a video shows the former mayor- imported from the U.S. by the way-- who lives in Tripoli with a number of ejected families. They are waiting for the government to retake the city and wreak revenge on the Gadaffi loyalists. The NTC may prefer to work with the new council in Bani Walid. So far the NTC has not moved to retake the city.

The central government still lacks central armed forces that are strong enough to deal with local militias. In many places it is the local militia that is the final authority as in Misrata.

Libyan town seized by Gadaffi loyalists

The town of Bani Walid is 110 miles southeast of Tripoli and was a Gadaffi stronghold. Reports from the town indicate that for now it has been seized by Gadaffi loyalists

Reports also indicate that at least four were killed and many wounded. The green flag of the Gadaffi era flies from many buildings. Bani Walid was one of the last holdouts during the overthrow of the old regime.

The fighters may be members of the old Libyan military. Those representing the new government in the town have warned for some time that there could be trouble.

When the NTC forces asked for reinforcements none came so they withdrew from the town when they ran low on ammunition. The defense minister Osama Jweli said that he would wait to determine whether the attackers were a rival militia or Gadaffi loyalists before attacking the town.

Militia from Misrata have been sent to block off access to the town. This militia is itself known for being belligerent and aggressive. Perhaps there will be a bloody retaking of the town or if cooler heads prevail there may be negotiations to allow the NTC to regain control of the city. For more see this article.