THe Government of National Accord (GNA) Has yet to move into Tripoli despite claims by Prime Minister designee, Fayez Seraj, tHeir entry was imminent in a television interview given on Mar 17. Libya Weekly Similar announcements Have been made previously. WHispering Bell is aware of Political Security GNA attempts to negotiate safe entry into tHe capital, and tHat many Tripoli-based Bell Update Whispering Bell militias are gradually supporting tHis, July 30, 2018 albeit not always publicly. If tHe GNA can ensure tHat local militias are consulted prior to entrance, tHeir security role will be 1. The Big Picture maintained and tHey will continue to receive salaries tHen furtHer IS attack exposes gaps in Oil Crescent security posture endorsements are likely. Also, in a positive development for tHe unity THis week was marked by an Islamic Following tHe attack, tHe LNA launched a government leaders claiming to represent State (IS) attack on tHe Al-Aguila police “counter offensive” resulting in tHe deatH various civil groups and local militias from station, located approximately 75 kms of an unknown number of militants in tHe Sabrata, Surman, Ajaylat, Riqdalin and East of Ras Lanuf, in addition to an Wadi Al-Jafr area. Pictures were Al-Jmail reportedly declared tHeir support unidentified drone strike targeting a circulated across social media outlets for tHe GNA. Similarly, Misrata’s farmHouse in Awbari, SoutH of Libya. The purportedly showing tHe bodies of 13 IS Municipality also released a statement latest IS Hit-and-run operation raises attackers. CONTENTS endorsing tHe government. THe UNSMIL concerns over tHe Libyan National Army’s also announced its decisions “to extend (LNA) ability to secure tHe Oil Crescent MeanwHile, multiple veHicles belonging to 1 until 15 June 2016 the mandate...to area after it recently mobilized forces. IS militants were reportedly located SoutH THE BIG PICTURE enable tHe Mission to continue to assist of Al-Aguila, 120 km West of Ajdabiya, IS attack exposes gaps in Oil tHe Presidency Council in furtHer work in IS claimed responsibility for tHe 24 Jul heading toward the 103 line leading to Crescent security posture establishing tHe Government of National attack targeting the Al-Aguila police the Jalu and Kufra region on 28 Jul. Amid Accord.” However, the fundamental station, resulting in 3 fatalities and 4 reports of suspicious IS movements in tHe 2 obstacle posed by Heavily armed Tripoli injuries at approximately 0240Hrs. A area, security forces in tHe Oil Crescent NATIONWIDE SECURITY and Misrata militias wHo adamantly former prominent militant of tHe BengHazi area were warned to take necessary Events, Analysis and Data oppose tHe new government and Revolutionaries SHura Council (BRSC) security precautions. continue to resist its establishment identified as “MaHmoud Al-Barasi” was 3 remains. As such, declarations of support reportedly killed in tHe attack. Overall, tHe 24 Jul IS attack HigHligHts SECURITY BY NUMBERS by various groups across Libya do not Additionally, reports suggest tHe attack gaps witHin LNA military and security Charts, Statistics and Analysis always reflect tHe views of tHe entire resulted in tHe damage of multiple coordination and/or capabilities in tHe population tHey claim to represent. veHicles, wHilst IS militants seized food area. Moreover, given tHe attack’s 4 supplies from local shops and fuel from proximity to tHe Oil Crescent region, tHe TRIPOLI REPORT tHe town’s petrol station. According to tHe incident suggests tHe country’s oil and gas News & NeigHborHoods Head of tHe Al-Aguila police station, infrastructure remains exposed to tHe Major MeftaH RaHil, tHe militants also potential tHreat of opportunistic attacks 5 kidnapped a local riding a small cargo despite reports of increased military and BENGHAZI REPORT veHicle on tHe road wHose fate remains security presence in tHe area. News & NeigHborHoods unknown. Beyond tHis, RaHil noted tHat tHe IS militants recorded a video on tHe Beyond tHe IS attack, an unidentified public road as tHey were leaving tHe drone strike targeted a farmHouse 6 scene. IS claiming responsibility in Awbari’s SHarab area, resulting in tHe WHAT’S NEXT corroborates WHispering Bell’s deatH of 2 individuals, including a Forward Looking Expert assessment of tHe likeliHood of IS prominent militant leader, at Opinions involvement beHind tHe attack based on approximately 2230Hrs on 25 Jul. tHe tactics, techniques, and procedures AltHougH unconfirmed, tHe drone strike (TTPs) used. may Have been conducted by a foreign state witH tHe cooperation of Libyan Additional reports emerged suggesting a autHorities in an effort to target militant police report was leaked on 23 Jul, presence in tHe area. warning tHat an attack was imminent. According to tHe leaked report, an KEY POINTS unidentified local truck driver stated he • LNA received imminent attack intel was stopped at a fake checkpoint established by IS, approximately 10 kms • Suspicious IS movements SoutH of Al-Aguila. • Unidentified drone strike in Awbari Li bya Weekly Political and Security Update F urther distribution without written consent of Whispering Bell is strictly prohibited. The Whispering Bell Libya Weekly Political and Security Update™ does not constitute advice and must not be regarded as a 1 substitute for detailed advice in individual cases. It is provided “as is” and without warranty of any kind. Whispering Bell shall have no liability arising from any use made of this report, or any part of it, to the fullest e xtent permitted by law. No part of this report may be reproduced in any form. Copyright © 2017. All rights reserved. WordPress Whispering Bell July 30, 2018 2. National Security Map Unidentified drone strike targets farmhouse in Awbari; 1 fatality & 1 injury Key Local reports from 25 Jul suggest unidentified assailants shot and THREAT INDICATORS subsequently killed Mahmoud Takalla, the brother of the Chairman of the Committee for the Severe Threat Development of Economic and Social Projects of the High Council High Threat of State (HCS), Mohammed Takalla, along the Coastal Road. Moderate Threat Local reports suggest an unidentified drone strike targeted a farmhouse in Awbari’s Sharab EVENT INDICATORS area, resulting in two fatalities at approximately 2230hrs on 25 Jul. IED | VBIED Sorman locals held a Violent Clash demonstration demanding the departure of the legislative, executive and financial bodies in Isolated Gunfire Libya on 27 Jul. The locals protested the extended mandate of Other the Presidential Council (PC) and High Council of State (HCS), whilst demanding the deposition of the Local reports suggest Zintan Central Bank of Libya (CBL). activist groups including “Sons of Zintan”, “The Movement of the People’s Voice” and “No To An unidentified armed group Expansion”, held a protest against reportedly assassinated a member foreign interference in Libya, of the Central Support in front of his terrorist organizations, and armed house in the Municipality of Al- groups on 27 Jul. Additionally, the Qubba. protestors reportedly called for the holding of elections by the end of 2018 in an attempt to save the Reports suggest clashes erupted country from further turmoil. between security authorities and alleged Chadian criminal groups The Sirte Protection and Security in Qatrun, Libya’s South,j between Force located two decomposed 27 and 28 July. The clashes resulted bodies and an improvised in at least 3 fatalities and 8 Chadian- explosive device (IED) in Sirte’s Al- affiliated individuals held captive. Arbaeen area. Libya Weekly Political and Security Update Further distribution without written consent of Whispering Bell is strictly prohibited. The Whispering Bell Libya Weekly Political and Security Update™ does not constitute advice and must not be regarded as a substitute for detailed advice in individual cases. It is provided “as is” and without warranty of any kind. Whispering Bell shall have no liability arising from any use made of this report, or any part of it, to the fullest extent permitted by law. No part of this report may be reproduced in any form. Copyright © 2013. All rights reserved. 2 Whispering Bell July 30, 2018 3. Nationwide Security Analysis Surge in nationwide fatalities due to isolated gunfire incidents Nationwide fatalities by Nationwide incidents by type type of attack (Past week) of attack (Past week) Isolated Gunfire 4 Isolated Gunfire Protest Arrest Body Found Body Found 3 Arrest Attack Fire IED/VBIED Subscribe to Read More… Carjacking Drone KIdnapping 1 Attack 6 Assault Drone 1 Explosion 1 Assassination Assault 1 Airstrike Suicide Assassination Robbery Suicide Nationwide fatalities by Nationwide incidents by national district (Past week) national district (Past week) Al-Wahat (Ajdabiya) Tripoli Sabha Al-Zawiyah Benghazi Al-Zawiyah Sirte Sirte Sabha Tripoli Al-Jabal Al-Gharbi Subscribe to Read More… Derna Subscribe to Read More… Al-Mugrub (Al-Khums) An-Nuqat Al-Khams Al-Jufra (Zuwarah) Derna Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar (Al- Bayda) An-Nuqat Al-Khams (Zuwarah) Wadi Al-Hayaa Al-Wahat (Ajdabiya) Al-Mugrub (Al-Khums) Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar (Al-Bayda) Al-Kufrah Wadi Al-Hayaa Murzuq Al-Kufrah Libya Weekly Political and Security Update 3 Further distribution without written consent of Whispering Bell is strictly prohibited. The Whispering Bell Libya Weekly Political and Security Update™ does not constitute advice and must not be regarded as a substitute for detailed advice in individual cases. It is provided “as is” and without warranty of any kind. Whispering Bell shall