General Haftar beats back counter attack on Libyan oil ports and advances towards Sirte

Forces of the Petroleum Facilities Guard(PFG) headed by Ibrahim Jodhran, retreated from Es Sidra and Ras Lanuf just a few hours after having retaken them from General Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) forces.

The counter-attack was repulsed with air attacks that appear to be by foreign airplanes. The PFG accused Egypt and the UAE of carrying out the bombings. They said four PFG fighers were killed. Defence Minister Al-Mihdi Al-Baraghati said: “There are strong indications that UAE and Egyptian warplanes have bombed PFG forces in Ras Lanuf and Sidra, we are now making sure of these indications”.

Mohamad Ibset, a spokesperson for Haftar's forces confirmed that there had been a counter-attack by the PFG at least on Ras Lanuf but did not mention El Sidra that the PFG also claim to have attacked. Spokesperson for the PFG, Ali al-Hassi claimed: “We attacked Al-Sidra and Ras Lanuf, and Haftar’s forces are trying to hit us with their warplanes.” The clashes halted the first loading of oil cargo from Ras Lanuf since 2014. Haftar had agreed to turn over the ports to the Tripoli-based NOC as long as the NOC lifted the force majeure covering the ports so that oil could be exported.

There is a merger between the two rival national oil companies (NOC), the one based in Tripoli associated with the GNA and the other in Bayda associated with the HoR government. The merger was not completed as the HoR rejected it but negotiations between the heads of the two NOCs are to continue this week. Meanwhile Haftar appears to have accepted the Tripoli NOC for now. Unlike the PFG who accept the GNA and had a deal with them to export oil, Haftar does not recognize the GNA.

Haftar's forces were not content just to repel the counter attack. They have advanced to take control of towns further to the west that PFG forces had captured earlier from the Islamic State. A tweet claims: "#Libya army 101 Brigade takes control of Bin Jawad from Ibrahim Jadran's forces." However, Haftar's forces are advancing even further west towards Sirte with another tweet claiming: "Some PFG units to hand themselves and arms to LNA in Harawah, after local tribesmen guarenteed them a just trial." Another tweet says: "Reports that pro haftir forces have entered Ben Jawad and heading westward to harawa about 70km east of sirte" . A later tweet announces that Harawa was captured: "Harawa announced as under control of LNA , 40 PFG members taken in custody." A final tweet sounds an ominous note: "Col. Mo bennayel from east sirt We r ready to invade Misrata&liberate sirt from its militia any time " Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) forces are within striking distance of Sirte. The silence of the UN, its envoy Martin Kobler, and the GNA on this lightning advance of Hafter to take territory formerly under the control of forces loyal to GNA, is striking.

General Haftar turns control of seized ports to National Oil Company

The four export ports in Libya's Oil Crescent seized by Libyan general Khalifa Haftar were turned over to the Libyan National Oil Company based in Tripoli.

General Haftar launched Operation Surprise Lightning on September 11. With little resistance, Haftar's forces ended up in control of four ports: Ras Lanuf, Es Sidra, Zuwetina, and Brega. Haftar subsequently turned over control of the ports to the Tripoli-Based NOC. I believe that the situation as it is now is the result of an agreement between the head of the NOC Mustafa Sanalla and Haftar. The agreement I believe was along the following lines. Haftar would seize the ports that were under the control of the Petroleum Forces Guards a group whose leader Ibrahim Jodhran Sanalla hates. He had vehemently criticized the deal between the GNA and Jadhran even though Jadhran, unlike Haftar, accepted the authority of the GNA. In return, Haftar would agree to turn over the ports to the control of the NOC. As a reward for doing so, the NOC would ensure that the rival government, the HoR government of PM Al-Thinni would receive a share of the proceeds from oil revenues that it found acceptable. Sanalla would also lift the force majeure that was preventing foreign ships from loading oil for export at the ports.

It seems Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secreatry-General (SRSG) and many in the international community were not aware of the deal or at least their actions suggest that they were expecting the deal to make it more difficult to export oil. Kobler said that it would make oil export more difficult. Six nations issued a statement echoing Kobler and also demanding that Haftar withdraw his military forces. You will not hear that demand repeated any more. The emerging consensus is that oil exports will now be quickly increased. As a recent tweet puts it: "Two oil vessels docked at #RasLanuf and #Brega today to load over 1.2 million barrels of crude #OilCrescent." Sanalla had made Kobler look foolish in claiming that oil exports would be more difficult. Sanalla hated Kobler for arranging the deal with Jadhran. He was also angry with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in that it had not been advancing the money needed to do work on damaged oil facilities. The nations asking for a withdrawal will no doubt be silent from now on about the issue and applaud the great leap forward toward greater production and export of oil from Libya.

For some reason the press often shows not the slightest curiousity about the most obviously important issues. To illustrate this consider the Reuters and Wall Street Journal's report on the merger of the Tripoli-based National Oil Company (NOC) associated with the GNA and the Bayda-based NOC associated with the Al-Thinni government and the House of Representatives. The issue of the division of the oil revenues is not discussed at all or even brought up. The Reuters report does say: "The NOC said it recognized the presidential council as the executive and also the parliament in the east, the House of Representatives. It would report to both bodies... It plans to make its new headquarters in the eastern city of Benghazi." Note that the deal recognizes the parliament in the east, the HoR. However as things stand now this is in fact recognizing a parallel institution: the HoR government of Al-Thinni supported by Haftar. The merger also agreed to move the headquarters to Benghazi, a city controlled by the HoR rival government. So much for not dealing with parallel institutions.

Yet this was not enough for the HoR, which rejected the merger. Whatever the deal was with respect to dividing revenues it did not satisfy the HoR. Al-Thinni PM of the HoR totally rejected the deal and among other things demanded: "Based on regional interest, Al-Thanni demanded that 40 percent in net oil revenues must be allocated to the eastern region and the remaining 60 percent goes to the western and southern regions." No follow up on this by the press. However a recent tweet shows that the deal is still not agreed upon and that the heads of the two rival NOC's will meet soon to finish the deal: "#Libya | Chairman of eastern NOC says he'll meet Tripoli NOC chairman next week to unite the two corporations & re-open oil ports."

The NOC will now most certainly be funding not just the GNA but also the rival government of Al-Thinni and the HoR. Haftar can make sure that the division of receipts is sufficient for adequate funding of his armed forces. The UN and Kobler go on about the necessity not to deal with parallel institutions. However, its monopsonic NOC has obviously made a deal that ensures a rival parallel government is well funded. If the NOC breaks the deal, the ports and oil fields could very well close again. We have returned to the two government system that existed when the HoR and GNC Salvation Government were rivals.

The lose-lose situation where there were no oil revenues may no doubt be replaced by one in which Haftar is able to see oil exported from the ports he controls under the auspices of the officially accepted NOC associated with the GNA. However the merged NOC is also associated with and reports to the HoR and will be forced to finance the rival government. The headquarters will even be moved to Benghazi where Haftar, Al Thinni, and the sanctioned Saleh hold sway. For Sanallah this is fine in that under the former two governments the NOC was also neutral though based in Tripoli. He retained his job and got rid of the hated Jadhran. He also made Kobler look like a fool. Not a bad deal.

Of course my view may be completely wrong. There may be no deal at all. Sanalla and Haftar simply want to save Libya from that pirate Jadhran and ensure that since Libyan oil belongs to all Libyans its increased production and exports will result in revenues that will be distributed to and benefit all Libyans. Given that foreign oil companies benefit from what has happened perhaps this is the narrative that will prevail and be upheld by experts.

Libyan state oil company releases positive statement after seizure of oil wells by General Haftar

The seizure of the four oil export ports in the Libyan Oil Crescent has resulted in a positive statement from the Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation in contrast to the response of the UN which complained it could hinder expansion of exports.

The Tripoli-based National Oil Company(NOC) said that it would begin work immediately to restart exports from Oil Crescent ports. NOC chair Mustafa Sanalla said:

“We welcome statements from the Libyan National Army allied with House of Representatives and the president of the HoR, Aguila Saleh, that the ports should be placed under NOC’s control, our technical teams already started assessing what needs to be done to lift force majeure and restart exports as soon as possible. As Libyans we have a common interest in keeping our oil flowing. By raising oil production and exports we can reduce our budget deficit and pay for vital services.”

There are actually two NOC's one based in Tripoli and associated with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and the other in Bayda associated with the Al-Thinni government of the House of Reprersentatives (HoR). These two were supposedly merged in an agreement in July but the HoR rejected the agreement: Speaking to Dignity Operation's Alhadat TV last Monday, Al-Thanni said the agreement will not be accepted until certain preconditions are met. Based on regional interest, Al-Thanni demanded that 40 percent in net oil revenues must be allocated to the eastern region and the remaining 60% goes to the western and southern regions.Operation Dignity was launched by Haftar back in May 2014 and is to a considerable extent responsible for the present conflict with the GNA. There is no mention of this division in most analyses, including in reports by "experts". An excellent analysis of the situation in this article which argues that the port takeover could provide an opportunity to export more oil also does not mention the issue. Both Haftar and the Tripoli-based NOC speak just of the NOC. But which does Haftar mean?

Back in July Haftar and the HoR recognized only the Bayda NOC: "Abdulraziig al-Nadori, Chief of the General Staff of the House of Representatives, warned foreign ships not to enter Libyan territorial waters without a permit from the Bayda-based National Oil Company (NOC) or risk being targeted by air or ground forces." However there have been exports from Hariga port that is under the control of forces loyal tol Haftar according to this article. Sanalla appears to welcome the replacement of Jadhran whom he hated by Haftar as controller of the ports. Sanalla was outraged by the deal with Jadhran and is no doubt happy it was sabotaged by Haftar. However, Haftar does not accept the GNA but the HoR as the legitimate government. What is left out of all accounts of what is happening is that the NOC merger still needs to be finalized.

This will involve the GNA again dealing with parallel institutions this time the Bayda-based NOC. A tweet makes it clear that the merger still has to be finalized: "#Libya | Chairman of eastern NOC says he'll meet Tripoli NOC chairman next week to unite the two corporations & re-open oil ports." In other words the Bayda-based NOC now backed by Haftar who occupies the ports will be able to drive a hard bargain with the NOC if it wants to open the ports. You will find nothing of this in reports — at least those I have seen. The NOC statement said: "Under a unity agreement signed in July, ‎NOC recognizes the Presidency Council as the highest executive authority and the House of Representatives as the highest legislative authority. A central aim of the agreement is to ensure that Libya’s oil wealth is used for the benefit of all Libyans." Not a peep about the fact that the HoR never approved the unity agreement. Is this meant deliberately to mislead or is it incompetence? It is in Haftar's interest to seem to go along with the Tripoli-based NOC, but if the HoR does not achieve a deal that it approves, he will not hesitate to act.

A tweet says: "Khalifa Haftar: I will make sure the Army does not interfere w/ oil business,which is a civilian matter. Army complied w/ its national duty." He may very well keep his promise but he will let the HoR take care of the issue not the GNA. He will cooperate as long as he thinks the HoR managed to arrive at a good deal. Otherwise he may as part of his "patriotic duty" stop oil production and exports.

Maybe Haftar hopes things will not work out. This can provide a rationale for continuing on with Operation Dignity by defeating militias associated with the GNA. As a recent tweet explains: "Spokesperson of Dignity Operation Ahmed Mismari threatens to invade Tripoli, saying their troops are very close to Tripoli and Zawia." The UN and the GNA have shown themselves to be hopelessly weak. Haftar has successfully weakened them even further. Oil interests don't care what happens as long as they can have access to Libyan oil on reasonable terms for them. Haftar will become more and more attractive as an alternative to the LPA and the GNA. He can always be praised and promoted as a champion of the war on terrorism. All his opponents will become terrorists. Other leaders have made similar claims: Gadaffi, Assad, El-Sisi.

Libyan National Army and Petroleum Facitilies Guard may clash at oil port

There are conflicting reports about the intentions of the Libyan National Army forces which the other day entered the town of Zuetina just 10 kilometers or six miles from the oil port.

A headline in the Libya Herald claims that Major General Abdul Al-Nazhuri of the Libyan National Army (LNA) predicts that the LNA will take over terminals at Zuetina, El Sidra, and Ras Lanuf. A battalion of the LNA entered the town of Zuetina yesterday. General Khalifa Haftar is commander in chief of the LNA, the armed forces of the House of Representatives (HoR)) government.

The three ports are under the control of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) headed by Ibrahim Jadhran a foe of Haftar. Jadhran supports the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and recently signed a deal with them to reopen the ports for export. However, Haftar does not recognize the GNA. He will no doubt not allow the export of oil until there is an agreement satisfactory to him. There is supposed to be an agreement between the rival eastern-based and Tripoli National Oil Companies (NOCs) creating one merged oil company but the HoR government will not accept the deal until changes are made. That does not seem to have happened yet. The HoR is demanding that any tankers exporting oil should have permits from the eastern NOC.

In a recent article, Jason Pack, points out that Martin Kobler, UN envoy to Libya, fails to note that part of the reason that the GNA is losing support is that he has failed to implement the flawed plan of former UN envoy Bernardino Leon, the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). He accuses Kobler of sticking to the letter of the LPA rather than realizing that it was meant to bring the two key power blocs together but had failed to do so. Kobler has not stuck to the letter of the LPA but has violated it in a number of different ways first and foremost by activating the GNA before a formal vote from the HoR. But Pack is correct that following the LPA has so far not resulted in bringing the two power blocs together. It is difficult to see how it can. The LPA demands that the Presidential Council (PC) of the GNA be commander in chief of the new GNA armed forces, while Haftar wants to remain as commander in chief. He will not accept a government with Islamist opponents in it and will not accept being under the command of the PC.

The division between the LNA and GNA is exemplified in the threat of clashes between the PFG and Haftar forces over the oil ports in the oil crescent. Haftar is trying to take support from Jadhran and by doing so weaken the power of the GNA in the east. He already has control of feeder oil fields giving him considerable leverage over any attempt of the GNA to export oil without his and HoR approval.

Final victory for the GNA over the Islamic State in Sirte is likely to result in conflict between militia that are for and those against the GNA. He points out that there is already conflict between militias in Tripoli as reported recently in the Digital Journal.

The Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades have attacked intelligence headquarters of the GNA and apparently seized personnel. There has not been a word from the GNA or the UN about what has happened even though the same militia took over other ministry buildings earlier. It is possible IMHO that some militia now fighting the Islamic State in Sirte will move to help defend the PFG against Haftar if there are clashes over the ports. Pack suggests that the victorious militia in Sirte could "defy GNA rulings and expose the fact that the GNA is not actually a unity of anything."

Reuters reports that Abdulrazak al-Nazhuri the chief of staff of Haftar's LNA said:"We have said that in the event that permission is not sought from the National (Oil) Corporation that answers to the (eastern) parliament, we will target the ships with our air force as we deem them militias or smugglers. The goal is not to threaten any nation but to protect the Libyan people's assets."This is a clear threat to the GNA and its agreement with the PFG to begin exports. Nazhuri said that the LNA would enter the ports of Zuetina, Es Sidra, and Ras Lanuf. All three are occupied by the rival LFG under Jadhran. Nazhuri said: "Our entry into the ports is to protect them, not to occupy them or to be substitutes for the mercenaries or thieves who preceded us." Instead of marching on Sirte as he originally promised, Haftar seems to have decided that instead he would secure oil fields and now ports controlled by the PFG. So far outright clashes between the PFG and Haftar forces have been avoided but it is not clear that this situation can last very long.

Protests over salaries close down Al-Hariga port in Tobruk Libya

The protesters, affiliated with the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) shut Al-Hariga port down in Tobruk because of delays in being paid.

Spokesperson for the new unified National Oil Company (NOC) Mohammed Al-Harari claimed the protesters were no more than 30 people in all. They came from Tobruk on Wednesday, and shut down the port stopping all export of oil. Al Harari said: “We are doing some effort to solve this problem, some elders from Tobruk and some officials from Al-Khaleej Al-Arabi Oil Company are trying to reopen the oil port so that they avoid the country a possible economic melt-down.” Al-Harari indicated there were already two ships waiting to be loaded. Libyan export firms could be subject to huge fines.

Al-Harari concluded:“Libya’s oil exportation is almost at 220 bpd and shutting down Al-Hariga oil port could diminish the output into its half, not to mention that it will affect Tobruk refinery station as crude oil will stop to be pumped into it.” Just before the revolution against Gadaffi, production was at 1.6 million barrels a day. The Al-Hariga port has an export capacity of about 120,000 barrels per day.

At the beginning of July, the two rival Libyan National Oil Companies, the one based in Tripoli and associated with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and the other in Bayda, associated with the government of the House of Representatives(HoR) agreed to merge. Many were optimistic that production would soon increase significantly. Positive talks were held with Ibrahim Jodhran, head of the Petroleum Facilities Guard, at the two ports of Es Sider and Ras Lanuf. Jodhran accepts the GNA

Helma Croft of RBC Capital Markets said: "While [the Jathran news] has led to speculation that the country’s output could quickly increase, historical evidence leads us to be more cautious. Jathran’s pledge of loyalty to the GNA government has led to speculation that the country's output could quickly double from around 350 kb/d. It should be noted that Jathran has made similar promises in the past, only to change his mind."

Even more troubling is that the agreement has not been accepted by the HoR government, with PM Al-Thani demanding that the HoR receive 40 percent of oil revenue. He made other demands as well including moving the headquarters of the NOC from Tripoli to Benghazi. This was agreed to as part of the original agreement.

A BMI research team noted: While we are more constructive on the prospects for a reopening of the ports, we expect the process to be relatively slow. Technical constraints will be significant, with large-scale maintenance works required to prepare the ports for commissioning. It is probable that substantial damage to infrastructure has been incurred and this — alongside the stop-start nature of Libya's production — will likely weigh on growth."

The situation is further complicated by the fact that many different groups have control of oil fields or of pipelines coming from the oil fields and they are able to prevent oil from reaching export terminals. While Libya is anxious to export oil to help an ailing economy it appears unlikely that production and export increases dramatically unless there is more agreement among those who have control over production.

Oil production and export in Libya may increase only slowly

Recently the two rival Libyan National Oil Companies (NOC), one based in the east in Bayda and the other in the west in Tripoli, have agreed to unify. This is just one small step in restoring production and exports of oil from Libya.

The Tripoli-based NOC is the one recognized by the UN, most of the international community and the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), while the Bayda-based NOC is recognized by the rival House of Representatives (HoR) based in Tobruk. The HoR has yet to recognize the GNA or vote confidence in it as required by the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA).

The unified NOC is described in a recent Digital Journal article. It is also reported in the Libya Gazette and here. While some analysts predict a rapid rise in production and exports, there are still many issues unresolved as a recent article in Bloomberg reports.

The article notes that the political division between the GNA and the HoR is still not solved. The agreement retains Mustafa Sanailla, the chair of the Tripoli-based NOC as chair of the new NOC and Naji al-Maighrabi, chair of the Bayda-based NOC, becomes a board member of the new NOC. In order to reach the agreement it was agreed that the headquarters of the NOC would move to Benghazi and that board meetings would occur there as soon as security admits. This is a move fraught with danger for the GNA, since Benghazi is controlled by the HoR and protected by Khalifa Haftar, the commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army. Neither the HoR nor Haftar recognize the GNA. Even in negotiating with the eastern NOC, the GNA is violating its own prohibitions from dealing with "parallel institutions" not recognized as part of the legitimate structures of the GNA which is recognized by the UN and most countries as sole legitimate Libyan government. The HoR has gained considerable more leverage and legitimacy. The same general processes are under way in agreements between the two competing Libyan Central Banks. As long as the continued political division remains the agreement with regards to oil will be fragile although no doubt both sides wish to avoid returning to a situation where the competing parties prevent each other from producing and exporting oil resulting in a lose-lose game.

However, there are other factors that threaten increased production and export of oil. Much of the countries oil structure is damaged. Some of it was caused by attacks by the Islamic State but in other clashes as well. In many cases, the oil fields are in territory controlled by forces hostile to those in control of the ports where the oil is exported. Agreements have to be reached between groups such as the Petroleum Forces Guard and General Hafter who controls some of the oil fields.

Richard Mallinson, an analyst at Energy Aspects in London said:“I am not convinced the announcement about the reunification of the two rival NOCs will actually deliver any increase in production any time soon." The new government is struggling to unify the various factions and Haftar and his allies “have sufficient control of infrastructure and politics in the east to prevent the GNA from broadening its mandate.”

These divisions have resulted in oil production being 85 percent less than before the overthrow of Gadaffi. For example in the southwest of Libya, the El Feel and Sharar oil fields which together are Libya's largest are controlled by GNA allies. However, the pipeline linking the fields to the coast export ports are blocked by Zintani militia affiliated with General Hafar. The shipping terminal is controlled by allies of the Tripoli branch of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG). In the east, some fields are controlled by Haftar's LNA forces, many of the export facilities are held by units of the PFG headed by Ibrahim Jodhran aligned at present with the GNA and a foe of Haftar.

As analyst Mattia Toaldo notes the merger between the two NOC's is a welcome step forward but "restarting production depends on forces who actually control installations". No single group has control. Those who do are often at odds with others. While output has increased in June by about 40,000 barrels a day to 320,00 barrels a month it is still quite low.

There are splits even within the Petroleum Facilities Guard with the Brega PFG backing Haftar. Exports remain shut down at Ras Lanuf, Zuetina, and Es Sider under the control of members of the PFG headed by Ibrahim Jodhran. Es Sider facilities are severely damaged and tanks are damaged at Ras Lanuf. The facilities suffer from lack of maintenance as well.

As Toaldo remarks, Haftar wants to spoil the LPA because one section deprives him of his position as commander in chief of the armed forces. As Tore Hamming, an analyst at Risk Intelligence based in Denmark puts it there may be more clashes between forces loyal to the GNA and those of Haftar's LNA: “It will probably become more violent, unless they find a solution over Haftar and his role in the Libyan setup. In this struggle, control of the oil becomes more important. I’m not optimistic for the short to medium term.”

However, Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General tweets; "Invited for Libyan political dialogue meeting after eid to discuss next steps on basis of the #LPA. Eid Mubarak to all!!" Kobler is no doubt planning some new stratagem to get around the need for the HoR to vote confidence in the GNA, as required by the LPA, since he has already failed numerous times to achieve this.

Forces of Haftar's Libyan National Army clash with those of Petroleum Facilities Guard

A spokesperson for the Oil Facilities Guard condemned what he described as a criminal act by warplanes of Khalifa Haftar, commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA). The LNA is the armed forces of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR).

Neither Haftar nor the HoR recognize the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). The PFG and its head, Ibrahim Jhodran, support the GNA and oppose Haftar. The planes attacked a training camp for the PFG in the Sham district that lies just to the west of Ajdabia on the road to the oil port of Brega. There were no casualties but there was material damage.

There are battles going on in Ajdabia between an Ajdabia Liberation Operation Room joined by Benghazi Defense Brigades (BDB) and Haftar's Operation Dignity forces. The PFG has remained neutral in the fight while the PC condemned the BDB attacks. However, some members of the PC did not agree. Ibrahim Jodhran is perhaps best known for closing three export ports in the east for almost two years causing an estimated $60 billion loss. However, he has fallen out with Haftar and has thrown his support behind the GNA creating a situation where he could come into direct conflict with Haftar as seems to be happening now.

Spokesperson for Haftar's Operation Dignity, Ahmed Al-Mesmari said that the PFG are terrorist militias and outlaws. He said that Dignity forces would fire on any forces that provide any support for the "terrorist groups".

Al-Mesmari said: “Our warplanes bombed Sham camp, where Oil Facilities Guard forces were positioned near Ajdabia, after receiving a tip-off that said a number of terrorist groups had set off from there heading toward Ajdabia city.” Apparently, the BDB and the Ajdabia Liberation Room forces have already seized most of Dignity Operation's camps and locations in the city of Ajdabia in the last couple of days. The Libya Herald also reported on the attack noting that MiG fighters of the Libyan National Army of Haftar attack the PFG site claiming it was a terrorist target.

A recent tweet describes clashes south of Ajdabiya with many wounded: 18 wounded in clashes south of Ajdabiya b/w Libyan army supported by area residents against newly formed "#Benghazi Defense Brigade" militia. Attacks on Ajdabiya began a couple of days ago as reported in this article.