After eruption of violence in capital Tripoli late Aug, fighting escalated despite UN-mediated ceasefires; end-month security situation in capital was calm but precarious. Armed groups from towns surrounding Tripoli maintained offensives early Sept in bid to oust Tripoli-based militias and pressure Prime Minister Faiez Serraj to step down. UN 3 Sept mediated ceasefire and in follow-up meeting 9 Sept most parties agreed to lay down arms and support formation of ceasefire monitoring mechanism. Long-range artillery fire struck Tripoli’s Maitiga airport 11 Sept and fighting broke out in capital’s south 18-19 Sept. Tripoli-based UN-backed Govt of National Accord 26 Sept announced new ceasefire, which took effect previous day, and two main armed groups reportedly retreated from city. But security in capital remained precarious end-month as most Tripoli armed groups refused to withdraw from state institutions they guard. At least 115 people killed since fighting erupted late Aug, at least half were civilians in residential areas. Attack by gunmen on National Oil Corporation headquarters in Tripoli 10 Sept killed two; govt said Islamic State (ISIS) behind attack. U.S. govt 12 Sept placed sanctions on militia leader Ibrahim Jedran for overseeing June attempt to seize control of Gulf of Sirte oil facilities. Govt and Central Bank 12 Sept announced economic reform package aimed at reducing black market speculation on foreign currency transactions that benefitted some Tripoli armed groups.

Violence erupted in capital Tripoli between armed groups linked to UN-backed Govt of National Accord (GNA) over control of territory and institutions, and could escalate further in Sept. Clashes broke out 26 Aug between fighters of Seventh Brigade, militia established by GNA’s defence ministry in 2017, and coalition of armed groups operating under GNA’s interior ministry. Clashes 26-31 Aug left at least 39 people dead, including at least eighteen civilians, and continued end month. Other armed groups, including some opposed to GNA from city of Misrata, threatened to join fight in Tripoli. UNSMIL 19 Aug said members of brigades nominally loyal to GNA’s interior ministry had in recent weeks attacked state institutions and prevented them from working, and called on GNA to prosecute those responsible; targeted institutions reportedly include internationally recognised Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation and GNA-managed sovereign wealth fund Libyan Investment Authority. 80 members of eastern Tobruk-based parliament House of Representatives (HoR) 28 Aug called on UN political mission (UNSMIL) to restart political dialogue to change composition of Presidency Council; western Tripoli-based High State Council and Misratan politicians issued similar statements. Progress along election roadmap remained stalled after HoR 27 Aug again failed to pass constitution referendum law. Suspected Islamic State (ISIS) militants 23 Aug attacked GNA checkpoint in Wadi Kaam area, east of Tripoli, killing at least six security personnel. U.S. airstrike in Bani Walid, about 150km south east of Tripoli, killed ISIS commander 28 Aug. Tripoli court of appeal 15 Aug sentenced 45 people to death for allegedly killing demonstrators in Tripoli during 2011 uprising against Colonel Qadhafi; 54 other defendants sentenced to five years in prison.

Under international pressure, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s east-based Libyan National Army (LNA) 11 July reversed decision made late June and returned oversight of oil sales from area under its control to internationally recognised Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation (NOC). Reversal came after Tripoli-based Govt of National Accord (GNA) said audit would be conducted of Central Bank of Libya branches in both east and west. GNA also sacked anti-Haftar Minister of Defence al-Mahdi al-Barghati 29 July, addressing one of LNA’s grievances. Eastern Tobruk-based House of Representatives held session 3o-31 July to vote on draft new constitution that would go to referendum, amid protests in city and divisions on new constitution’s current draft and referendum procedure; vote postponed by two weeks. Islamic State (ISIS) and other armed groups continued attacks on civilians, especially in south. Notably, in south east, suspected Islamist militants 7 July killed two workers and kidnapped two others at Tazirbu water plant. ISIS’s weekly newspaper al-Naba 6 July said ISIS had captured two air force officers from forces loyal to Haftar in Fezzan region in centre. ISIS-linked militants 24 July killed two policemen in eastern town of Agheila.

New fighting over oil export terminals in Gulf of Sirte and subsequent announcement by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s east-based Libyan National Army (LNA) that oil sales from area under its control would go through un-recognised east-based National Oil Corporation (NOC) escalated tensions and risks deepening economic crisis. Forces led by former Petroleum Facilities Guards militia commander Ibrahim Jedran 14 June took control of oil export terminals of Sidra and Ras Lanuf in east, forcing LNA to withdraw, at least 28 killed in fighting that also destroyed crude oil storage tanks. LNA 21 June retook control of terminals and 25 June said it would not surrender control of oil facilities to internationally-recognised NOC in Tripoli, claiming oil revenues accrued in Tripoli helped fund Jedran’s assault, but it would redirect sales via east-based NOC. LNA’s decision condemned by U.S., UK, France, Italy, EU, Arab League and UN sec-gen. Fighting also intensified in eastern city of Derna as LNA came closer to taking city from Islamist militants. Leaders of opposed political and military factions – despite verbally committing at Paris summit 29 May to hold parliamentary and presidential elections 10 Dec and reach agreement on legal framework for elections by mid-September – made no steps toward forming framework.

At summit in Paris hosted by French President Macron 29 May, rival leaders committed to holding parliamentary and presidential elections 10 Dec; meanwhile violence continued in capital Tripoli in west, Derna and Benghazi in east and Sebha in south. In Tripoli, two Islamic State (ISIS) militants 2 May attacked electoral commission, killing thirteen staff and three security officers; some Tripoli militias pushed govt-aligned Presidential Guard out of two bases 26 May. Head of Tripoli-based UN-backed Presidency Council (PC) Faiez Serraj 9 May passed decree giving more autonomy and legal authority to Special Deterrence Force, Salafi-dominated Tripoli-based armed group loyal to him. Eastern commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar 7 May oversaw large military parade in Benghazi in east; 8 May announced Libyan National Army (LNA) would launch new operation to wrest control of eastern city of Derna from coalition of Islamist militants recently renamed Derna Protection Force (DPF); LNA airstrikes 15 May reportedly killed five DPF members; LNA commander killed and two fighters wounded 22 May; UN 31 May said indiscriminate shelling on city had killed at least five civilians, including two children, since 22 May, described violence there as “unprecedented”. Also in east, ISIS claimed car bombing at checkpoint in Ajdabiya that killed at least two LNA troops and kidnapping of police officer in Awjila, both 22 May. Car bombing in Benghazi 25 May killed at least seven civilians. Fighting restarted in early May in southern city of Sebha between militias composed of Awlad Suleiman Arabs and affiliated with Haftar’s LNA, and Tebu ethnic minority militias affiliated with Tripoli-based Govt of National Accord (GNA), at least 30 killed by late-May including civilians. PC 13 May called for immediate ceasefire and deployment of neutral force in Sebha. Human traffickers trying to prevent some 200 captive Eritreans, Ethiopians and Somalis from escaping reportedly killed at least twelve in Bani Walid, about 180km south east of Tripoli 23 May.

Hospitalisation of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar prompted fears of fragmentation in his military coalition and possible mobilisation of his enemies in both western and eastern Libya seeking to reverse status quo in Benghazi in east; election of Khaled Mishri, member of party linked to Muslim Brotherhood, as president of Tripoli-based High State Council (HSC) strengthened opposition to dialogue among eastern constituencies. Field Marshal Haftar, commander of Libyan National Army (LNA), hospitalised in Paris 9-24 April, allegedly after suffering stroke. His opponents in west launched misinformation campaign claiming he was incapacitated or even dead. Haftar returned to Benghazi in east 26 April and addressed supporters, dispelling false rumours. Khaled Mishri, member of Justice and Construction Party (JCP), linked to Muslim Brotherhood, 8 April elected president of HSC, body loyal to UN-backed Presidency Council and rival to Tobruk-based parliament House of Representatives (HoR). Mishri and HoR President Aghela Saleh met in Morocco 23 April, but eastern constituencies remained opposed to overtures to HSC and Muslim Brotherhood, which they see as terrorist organisation. In east, LNA commander Salah Bulgheib 8 April survived assassination attempt and LNA chief of staff 18 April survived car-bomb attack in Benghazi, one civilian killed. LNA 21 April said it had killed and injured dozens of “terrorists” in Sdada area near Misrata, 200km east of Tripoli. In south, inter-tribal clashes fuelled by national rivalries continued, albeit more sporadically; mortar attack on Sebha airport set civilian aircraft on fire 24 April. Pipeline carrying crude oil from Waha oil field into country’s biggest export terminal Es Sider shut down for several days after it was set on fire 21 April. Unidentified militants fired rockets at Mitiga airport in capital Tripoli 19 April, damaging arrivals hall and passenger aircraft belonging to state-run Libyan Airlines. Two armed groups aligned with Presidency Council’s Interior Ministry, Central Security Brigade (Ghaniwa Brigade) and Eighth Force (al-Nawasi Brigade), clashed in Tripoli 30 April, several reportedly wounded. UN political mission 5 April launched series of preparatory meetings for national conference, one pillar of UN Action Plan for Libya.

Inter-tribal fighting fuelled by national rivalries continued in south, while security and humanitarian situation worsened in Derna in east. Fighting resumed early March in southern city of Sabha between militias composed of Awlad Suleiman Arabs and affiliated to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) and Tebu ethnic minority militias affiliated with Tripoli-based Govt of National Accord (GNA); clashes 6 March left three dead. Delegation from south, including members from Sabha, 12 March met UN envoy Ghassan Salamé in Tripoli to try to end violence and protect civilians. LNA’s 21-month siege on Derna in east to wrest control of city from coalition of Islamist militants known as Derna Mujahideen Shura Council (DMSC) sparked further violence. LNA 4 March shelled Sayeda Khadija neighbourhood, wounding four civilians. DMSC 19 March attacked LNA’s Kersa checkpoint in western Derna, killing two. Suicide car bombings claimed by Islamic State (ISIS) on LNA checkpoints near Ajdabiya in east reportedly wounded one LNA and two civilians 9 March and killed at least eight, including civilians, 29 March. U.S. airstrike in coordination with GNA in outskirts of Ubari city in south west 24 March killed two, including Musa Abu Dawud, described by U.S. Africa Command as high-ranking figure in jihadist group al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb. Al-Feel oil field in south east remained shut after National Oil Corporation imposed force majeure 23 Feb because guards had withdrawn from site to demand better pay and other benefits. Gunmen 29 March briefly detained Tripoli Mayor Abdelraouf Beitelmal in what general prosecutor’s office said was legal arrest but others described as militia abduction.

UN envoy Ghassan Salamé 8 Feb said many requirements, including developing “constitutional framework”, still to be met before legislative and presidential elections can be held. Supreme Court 14 Feb blocked legal challenges from lower courts to draft constitution voted by Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) in July 2017, paving way for possible referendum on draft and move toward elections. Members of eastern Tobruk-based parliament House of Representatives 19 Feb rejected CDA, calling instead for creation of expert committee to amend 1951 constitution. Forces allied with Libyan National Army (LNA) of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, de facto ruler in east, clashed with suspected Islamic State (ISIS) militants near Dhahra oil field in south east 2-3 Feb, two LNA-allied fighters and three suspected militants killed. LNA commander Mahmoud Warfalli, under International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged summary execution of dozens of people, handed himself in to Haftar’s military police 7 Feb. LNA fighters in Benghazi in east protested against his detention 8 Feb; Warfalli released same day. Twin bomb blasts struck mosque in Benghazi 9 Feb, killing at least two. Suicide bombing targeted LNA checkpoint 22km west of Waddan city in centre 21 Feb, three soldiers killed; ISIS claimed responsibility 22 Feb. Heavy clashes took place in Sabha 27-28 Feb after month of tensions between LNA-affiliated militia composed of members of Arab tribe Awlad Suleiman and militias, composed of Tebu ethnic minority, affiliated with Tripoli-based Govt of National Accord – reversal of both groups’ previous loyalties. Tensions mounted after Awlad Suleiman fighter shot dead Tebu in café 1 Feb. Mediation attempts by western and eastern govts have stalled, and fighting could endanger fledgling Tebu-Tuareg peace agreement, amid allegations that Chadian mercenaries have joined Tebu in fighting.

Armed groups aligned with UN-backed Govt of National Accord (GNA) clashed in Tripoli around Maitiga airport 15 Jan, at least twenty people killed and flights cancelled for five days; GNA subsequently said it would dissolve armed group known as 33rd Infantry Brigade, which attacked Maitiga. Unidentified attackers carried out double car bombing outside mosque in Benghazi in east 23 Jan killing at least 35. Next day video footage released appearing to show Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Mahmoud Warfalli (under International Criminal Court arrest warrant since Aug 2017) outside same mosque executing ten people dressed in blue prisoner uniforms. Unidentified attackers 3 Jan killed local education official who had declared interest in running in parliamentary elections in eastern town of al-Abiyar. Member of influential Awaghir tribe in eastern town of Suluq escaped targeted car bomb 6 Jan. Election commission 10 Jan said over 1.9mn people had registered to vote in elections planned for 2018. Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, LNA head and de facto ruler in east, 7 Jan said Libya was not ready for democracy, and that he would “take action” if elections failed and if wider UN process did not deliver.

Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, de facto ruler in east, 17 Dec publicly rejected 2015 Libyan Political Agreement (LPA), raising risk of new fighting between his allies in west and forces aligned with UN-backed Govt of National Accord (GNA). In response to claims by Haftar supporters that LPA’s two-year validity would expire 17 Dec, UN Security Council 14 Dec emphasised continuity of LPA, rejecting what it said were incorrect deadlines and declaring unacceptable any attempt to undermine UN-facilitated political process. Haftar 17 Dec in televised speech declared LPA and all institutions emanating from it (including GNA) obsolete. Tensions rose in Tripoli and around Sirte between GNA-aligned militias and those supporting Haftar; GNA-affiliated Nawasi armed group in Tripoli rejected Haftar’s remarks. Unidentified gunmen 17 Dec killed mayor of Misrata Mohammed Eshtewi. French FM 21 Dec met UN-backed PM Serraj in Tripoli and Haftar in Benghazi in bid to revive stalled UN-led talks. Unidentified assailants blew up crude oil pipeline about 130km south of Es Sider terminal in east 26 Dec. In east, Haftar’s forces 28 Dec retook last district of Benghazi under control of Islamist fighters. UN 19 Dec said it plans to move up to 10,000 illegal migrants from Libya to African countries and possibly European countries and Canada in 2018.