Illustrative image, source: LNA media office
On June 17, the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced that it had intensified its operations in Libya’s southwestern region in response to recent attacks by ISIS.
“The General Command of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces directed units of the infantry battalions to head to the [southwestern] region to support the Southwest Liberation Operations Room in the southern strategic direction, in order to track down Takfiri terrorists and expel African mercenary gangs which threaten security and stability and practice looting, theft, sabotage and smuggling of all kinds,” the army said in a statement.
ISIS cells carried out two terrorist attacks in southwestern Libya over the last two weeks. Both attacks resulted in casualties.
On June 6, a suicide bomber of the terrorist group targeted a checkpoint of LAN security forces near the city of Sabha. Four people, including Captain Ibrahim Abdel Nabi Director of Criminal Investigations in Sebha, were killed. Amaq shared footage of the attack.
On June 14, the commander of the LNA’s Waw Martyrs Company, Ali Muhammad Othman al-Tabawi, was killed when a landmine that was planted by ISIS terrorists ripped throw his vehicle in the Haruj Mountains. The LNA released footage showing the aftermath of the attack.
The LNA appears to be taking the ISIS threat very seriously. The terrorist group’s presence in the southwestern region could further destabilize Libya.