Hostilities spread to new areas: fighting between Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) and forces nominally loyal to UN-backed Govt of National Accord (GNA) continued in and around capital Tripoli, GNA carried out airstrikes in Jufra and Waddan in centre, and LNA in Misrata east of Tripoli. Parties continued to receive military support from allies (GNA from Turkey, LNA from United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt), while diplomacy to stop war remained paralysed. Fighting in and around Tripoli led to no substantial change in territorial control. Suspected LNA airstrikes on Tajura migrant detention centre near Tripoli 2 July killed at least 50 migrants, prompting international outrage; LNA denied responsibility, claimed it targeted weapons depot. GNA 20-21 July carried out airstrikes on LNA-held Tripoli airport and Wadi Rabea, reportedly killing thirteen LNA. LNA 22 July launched large-scale assault on several fronts to capture Tripoli, which GNA forces repelled, capturing eleven LNA. Suspected LNA airstrikes 27 July targeted Zawiya hospital killing five medics. For first time since April outbreak, GNA drones 25 July attacked LNA in Jufra and Waddan in centre, destroying LNA assets. LNA 26 July struck Misrata airport some 200km east of Tripoli, from where GNA drones took off, no damage reported. Instability increased in east. In Benghazi, unclaimed car bombs 11 July killed two soldiers and two civilians; LNA blamed GNA supporters. Five bodies recovered in Benghazi 18 July. Cairo 14-16 July hosted some 70 members of Tobruk-based parliament House of Representatives (HoR) in bid to revive body’s legitimacy; Tripoli-based parliamentarians boycotted meeting, but participants reaffirmed HoR authority to appoint unity govt. U.S., UK, France, UAE, Egypt and Italy 16 July called for halt to conflict. UN envoy 29 July called for truce on Eid al-Adha holiday around 10 Aug accompanied by confidence-building measures, followed by summit of “concerned countries” to cement arms embargo, and then by national conference.

Fighting continued in and around capital Tripoli between Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) and forces nominally loyal to UN-backed Govt of National Accord (GNA) pushing death toll to over 700 since early April. Both sides relied heavily on airpower and continued to receive military support from regional allies. In offensive launched late May to capture city centre, LNA forces advanced only 2-3km into southern Salaheddin neighbourhood; LNA airstrikes hit GNA depots on airport road and eastern suburb Tajoura. GNA forces 19 June claimed they had retaken former international airport, but control over airport still contested. GNA forces 26 June reconquered and expelled LNA from Gharyan, key logistic base 80km south of capital under LNA control since April. Turkish engineers in Tripoli trained GNA forces to use anti-aircraft technology and armoured vehicles, reportedly provided by Turkey but paid for by Qatar. Turkey 30 June said if militias loyal to Haftar did not release six Turkish nationals they were holding, Haftar’s “illegal militia forces” would be “legitimate targets”. Forces loyal to Haftar 30 June said they had destroyed Turkish drone parked at Tripoli’s only working airport, halting civilian flights. United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Russia reportedly continued to deliver military supplies to LNA, and Egypt manpower. Both sides rejected calls for ceasefire and political talks. In speech 16 June, PM Serraj refused talks with Haftar and excluded him from his proposed political roadmap, including National Conference under UN aegis to appoint judicial committee to draft legislation for parliamentary and presidential elections to be held before end of 2019. In 19 June interview, Haftar said LNA would continue military operations until it controlled capital; he would then abolish bodies created by 2015 Skhirat agreement, including Tripoli-based Presidency Council, form constitutional committee, hold referendum, disband militias and hold elections. Islamic State (ISIS) claimed two bomb blasts in Derna in east 2 June.

Fighting intensified in and around capital Tripoli between Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) and forces nominally loyal to UN-backed Govt of National Accord (GNA). Stalemate persisted with pro-GNA forces preventing LNA advance on centre, but unable to launch counteroffensive against LNA strongholds in Tarhunah and Gharyan, 60km south east and 80km south of capital respectively. Both sides stepped up airstrikes: LNA carried out several air and drone strikes against bases of armed groups in Tripoli and nearby towns and on front lines, causing significant damage to equipment. GNA air force also struck LNA-held areas. LNA shot down GNA fighter jet 70km south of Tripoli 7 May and captured pilot, who claimed to be Portuguese. Both sides intensified fighting 24-25 May, but achieved no major victory. Dozens of Turkish-made armoured vehicles arrived in Tripoli port 19 May, reportedly intended for pro-GNA forces. UN Security Council 10 May called on parties to “return to UN political mediation, and to commit to a ceasefire and de-escalation to help mediation succeed”. UN envoy Ghassan Salamé 21 May urged UN to stop other countries fuelling conflict by supplying weapons. EU Foreign Affairs Council 13 May called LNA’s offensive “a serious threat to international peace and security”, called on “all parties to implement a ceasefire” and return to political negotiations. Both sides rejected calls for ceasefire. Haftar 16 May told Italian PM Conte in Rome he was about to take Tripoli and in talks with French President Macron in Paris 22 May Haftar ruled out ceasefire. During visits to Rome, Paris, Berlin and London, UN-backed PM Serraj mid-May conditioned resumption of talks on LNA forces’ complete withdrawal from west. In south, Islamic State (ISIS) claimed attacks against LNA in Sebha 4 May, Ghadwa 9 May and Zilla 18 May that reportedly killed at least three LNA fighters. LNA 29 May handed over to Egypt authorities prominent Egyptian militant Hisham al-Ashmawi, arrested in eastern Libya in Oct 2018.

War broke out as Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) advanced on capital Tripoli intent on taking city from UN-backed Govt of National Accord (GNA), but pro-GNA forces held LNA at bay; fighting could escalate if both sides continue to mobilise and external actors strengthen Libyan allies. LNA 3 April launched advance on Tripoli from east with apparent backing of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France and Russia taking control of surrounding countryside. By making deals with local commanders, LNA took Garyan, 80km south of Tripoli, 3-5 April and set up base there; in same period LNA took Tarhunah and ‘Aziziya south east of Tripoli, Sabratah and Sorman east of Tripoli, and reached city’s outskirts. GNA’s PM Serraj mobilised loyalist militias under banner of Tripoli Protection Force (TPF) and armed groups from Misrata. TPF by 14 April had pushed LNA out of Zahra and Suwani on Tripoli’s western outskirts; same day shot down LNA warplane; 19 April expelled LNA from ‘Aziziya and Ain Zara in south-eastern outskirts, prompting LNA to withdraw to Qasr bin Gashir and Wadi al-Rabia south of city. Artillery fire killed six civilians in Tripoli residential area 16 April, LNA and GNA blamed each other. In southern Libya, pro-GNA Southern Protection Force 18 April attacked LNA air base at Tamanhint near Sebha and withdrew. Same day, LNA crushed uprising in Garyan. World Health Organization 23 April said 264 people killed around Tripoli since start of offensive, including 21 civilians. LNA reportedly used armed drones, provided and possibly controlled by foreign backer, for precision strikes on GNA military installations in Tripoli. GNA also received some military assistance. U.S. shifted from opposition to apparent support for Haftar: Sec State Pompeo 7 April condemned LNA offensive; U.S. 18 April objected to draft UNSC resolution calling for ceasefire; President Trump reportedly had phone conversation with Haftar 15 April, reportedly praising his efforts in counter-terrorism and to protect oil fields.

Fighting eased in south and UN renewed efforts to mediate agreement between head of eastern military coalition Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar and PM of Tripoli-based internationally-recognised Govt of National Accord (GNA) Faiez Serraj to form new unity govt and unify state institutions, including military. Following Haftar-Serraj meeting 27 Feb in United Arab Emirates under UN auspices, UN Envoy Ghassan Salamé early March shuttled between them or their advisors in Libya. To show support for potential Haftar-Serraj deal, French FM Le Drian visited Tripoli and Benghazi 18-19 March, and commander of U.S. Africa Command Thomas Waldhauser visited Tripoli 19 March. After months of delay, Salamé 20 March said National Conference, part of UN Action Plan, would take place mid-April in desert city of Ghaddames in west near borders with Algeria and Tunisia, but did not disclose agenda nor list of invitees. At meeting of Libya Quartet (League of Arab States, African Union (AU), EU and UN) in Tunis 30 March, AU President Moussa Faki announced national reconciliation conference would be held in Addis Ababa in July. Local elections took place in nine municipalities in country’s first voting for five years; turnout low at 38%, electoral commission said local elections would take place in about 60 other municipalities in coming weeks. Fighting eased in south as Haftar’s Libyan National Army consolidated control, following offensive launched in Jan, and oil production resumed in Sharara oil field, closed since Dec.

Following its mid-Jan advance into south west, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s east-based Libyan National Army (LNA) continued to consolidate control in area, securing Sebha peacefully but triggering fighting in Murzuq region, 100km south west of Sebha; local armed groups or forces in north allied to Tripoli-based Govt of National Accord (GNA) could retaliate against LNA in coming weeks. Murzuq region saw heavy fighting: clashes between LNA-allied local Arab forces and local Tebu non-Arab armed groups near Ghadduwah from 1 Feb left at least fourteen dead, LNA said at least four LNA soldiers killed. LNA airstrike in outskirts of Murzuq 4 Feb reportedly killed seven Tebu, including civilians. LNA 8 Feb bombed Murzuq residential area, no casualties reported. Fighting inside Murzuq 20-23 Feb between LNA-allied Arab forces and Tebu armed groups left dozens of tribesmen and three LNA soldiers dead, including Murzuq’s GNA-affiliated security chief. Tebu accused pro-Haftar forces of attacking them and ransacking houses, LNA accused Tebu of harbouring Chadian armed groups. LNA 6-7 Feb announced it had taken control of Sharara oil field, 200km west of Sebha, reportedly after local Tuareg guards previously aligned with GNA switched sides; LNA 22 Feb said it had taken over al-Feel oil field near Murzuq. GNA made several military appointments 6 Feb allegedly in response to LNA advance: Tuareg general Ali Kanna appointed commander of southern region; Mohammed al-Sharif of Jufra region appointed chief of staff and Salem Joha of Misrata as his deputy. GNA said it and U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on al-Qaeda camp in Ubari in south west 13 Feb, killing four militants; U.S. denied involvement. In eastern city of Derna, clashes between LNA and coalition of Islamist militants Derna Protection Force intensified early Feb, seven civilians reportedly killed 11 Feb. LNA mid-Feb claimed final victory in Derna. Libyan Red Crescent 21 Feb said it had recovered over 30 bodies in Derna in Feb. UN envoy Ghassan Salamé hosted meeting between PM Serraj and Haftar in Abu Dhabi 27 Feb; leaders reiterated need to hold elections.

Fighting erupted between rival armed groups in capital Tripoli, while in south west tensions heightened after forces from east-based Libyan National Army (LNA) moved into region’s capital, Sebha, raising risk of new fighting there in Feb. Breaking Sept 2018 UN-brokered ceasefire, rival armed groups clashed in Tripoli 16 Jan reportedly over implementation of new UN-backed Tripoli security plan; at least sixteen killed 16-20 Jan, including civilians. Armed groups 21 Jan agreed to new ceasefire following local mediation. LNA troops in about 100 vehicles arrived in Sebha, main city in south west, 16 Jan saying they intended to “rid the south of terrorists and foreign armed groups” and secure oil installations. Local armed groups from Tebu, Tuareg and Arab tribes nominally allied to Tripoli-based Presidency Council (PC) vacated military bases in Sebha, but tensions remained high as many of them declared opposition to LNA’s arrival. LNA 18 Jan said it had killed three suspected Islamist militants including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) commander in Brak Shati, north of Sebha. UN Envoy Ghassan Salamé 20 Jan expressed “deep concern” about LNA’s deployment in south; LNA 23 Jan referred to Salamé as “opponent”. UN-backed National Conference planned for early Jan was postponed sine die. International efforts to broker agreement between Tripoli-based UN-backed PM Serraj and LNA commander Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar continued; they allegedly met in Jordanian capital Amman early Jan but reached no compromise. Political feuds within Tripoli-based govt continued. In open letter 12 Jan, three vice presidents in Serraj’s UN-backed PC representing west, south and east accused him of making unilateral decisions and cabinet appointments, including of new health and local governance ministers in Jan, without consulting them. LNA said it killed two suspected Islamic State (ISIS) militants in eastern city of Derna 21 Jan. Local official 31 Jan said security forces arrested leading ISIS member Khalifa al-Barq in Sirte 30 Jan.

Tensions rose in capital Tripoli following 25 Dec Islamic State (ISIS) attack on foreign affairs ministry that killed at least six people including three assailants and injured 21. Infighting between Tripoli-based militias also continued: Tripoli militia leaders known as al-Aweinat and Salah al-Marghani killed in Tripoli 26 Nov and 15 Dec respectively. Wrangling among west and east-based politicians continued to stall political process. Referendum law and two constitutional amendments, passed by Tobruk-based parliament House of Representatives (HoR) in east late Nov, supposed to pave way for referendum on draft constitution and selection of new Presidency Council, angered politicians in Tripoli-based High State Council (HSC) in west and provoked criticism regarding alleged substantive and procedural flaws. Police and security officers from rival west and east-based govts 29 Dec met in eastern city of Benghazi in effort to unite security forces. Fezzan Rage, youth protest movement demanding better services in impoverished Fezzan region in south, backed by Petroleum Facilities Guards militia nominally loyal to PM Serraj’s govt, forced closure of country’s largest oil field Sharara 8 Dec. Internationally recognised Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation (NOC) 16 Dec declared force majeure on Sharara’s operations. PM Serraj 19 Dec visited oil field to negotiate with protesters, but NOC said oil field would remain closed until new security arrangements are set up. Chadian armed group 27 Dec attacked camp of forces loyal to Field Marshal Haftar, de facto commander in east, near town of Traghen in south west, reportedly killing one and injuring thirteen others.

UN unveiled revised political roadmap and participants in international conference in Palermo, Italy, endorsed it, but deep divisions between rival Libyan leaders and competing agendas emerged. At UN Security Council 8 Nov, UN envoy Ghassan Salamé said elections would take place in 2019, acknowledging for first time that they will not be held in Dec as planned. Salamé presented revised action plan consisting of National Conference in Jan 2019 and establishment of “electoral framework” by spring 2019. At international conference in Palermo, Italy 12-13 Nov, stakeholders expressed support for revised action plan but heads of delegations representing Tripoli-based UN-backed Presidency Council, Tripoli-based High State Council, Tobruk-based parliament House of Representatives (HoR) and Field Marshal Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) did not sit side-by-side. While nominally supporting UN efforts, delegations disagreed on which elections should be held and what powers, if any, National Conference should wield. Haftar refused to attend any conference event, instead took part in unscheduled and inconclusive meeting with Tripoli-based PM Serraj 13 Nov, alongside leaders from Russia, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, France, Italy, UN and EU. Disregarding new UN action plan, Tobruk-based HoR 27 Nov claimed that previous day it passed constitutional referendum law and constitutional amendment that recognises modified version of 2015 Libyan Political Agreement (which HoR never recognised) and requires appointment of new three-member Presidency Council and separate PM. Some HoR members and their political opponents in Tripoli contest legality of HoR vote and substance of approved legislation. Islamic State (ISIS) claimed 23 Nov attack in southern town of Tazerbo that killed nine police. Score-settling between militias in Tripoli continued: former head of Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades Haythem Tajouri allegedly killed three of group’s leaders. U.S. 30 Nov said its airstrike previous day near al-Uwaynat in south killed eleven al-Qaeda militants.

PM Serraj pursued cabinet reshuffle and began to implement new economic reforms and security measures in capital Tripoli, as violence flared in south. UN-backed PM Serraj 7 Oct appointed four new ministers (interior, economy, finance and sports) without consulting fellow members of Presidency Council (PC) or seeking approval from Tobruk-based parliament House of Representatives (HoR); spokesperson 22 Oct said cabinet reshuffle still ongoing. Serraj’s appointment of former militia leader and politician from Misrata, Fathi Bash Aga, as interior minister and Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Ali Issawi, suspected of involvement in 2011 killing of prominent eastern military commander, as economy minister triggered outrage in east. Consultations between Tripoli-based High State Council (HSC) and HoR to remove Serraj and change composition of PC he heads continued.  Unidentified gunmen 16 Oct killed leader of so-called Tripoli Brigade, Khairi al-Kikli, dubbed Hankoura, while other gunmen cut off supply of city’s drinking water. Serraj 23 Oct approved plan for new security arrangements in Tripoli, Greater Tripoli Security Plan, which is supposed to create joint police and army forces to secure city; UN political mission (UNSMIL) same day welcomed plan. Haftar’s east-based Libyan National Army (LNA) 7 Oct arrested former Egyptian army officer turned al-Qaeda affiliate and founder of al-Murabitun militant group Hisham al-Ashmawy in eastern city of Derna. Fighting flared in south near Chadian border mid-Oct reportedly between LNA and its auxiliaries on one side and gunmen whom LNA claimed were Chadian armed groups on other. LNA 13 Oct reportedly carried out airstrikes on alleged Chadian rebels near Tamassah oasis. Clashes between LNA-allied and Chadian militia 13-14 Oct reportedly left four Libyans and eleven Chadians dead. Haftar discussed insecurity in border area with Chadian President Déby in Chadian capital Ndjamena 16 Oct (see Chad). Islamic State (ISIS) militants attacked town of Fuqaha’ in Jufra region (centre) 28 Oct killing at least five people, kidnapping ten and setting fire to public buildings. (Updated 1 Nov)