ConflictBarometer_2016

MIDDLE EAST AND MAGHREB
and April 19 respectively.
Few skirmishes erupted over the year in the west of Libya between
forces aligned to one of the governments. For example,
on January 1, LNA-affiliated tribal forces clashed with local
then-GNC aligned fighters near Sabratah, Nuqat al-Khams.
On May 22, confrontations allegedly involving local pro- and
anti-PC militias, left one dead and two injured in Sorman, al-
Zawiya district.
Starting on December 1, in two days of encounters in Tripoli,
featuring the use of heavy weapons, between several militias
loosely affiliated with PC and others linked to the camp
of Ghwell and al-Sadiq Abd-Alrahman Ali al-Ghariani, at least
seven people were killed. Al-Ghariani, a senior cleric who had
officially been dismissed by HoR as Grand Mufti in November
2014, called for fighting Haftar and his LNA.
Armed Islamist groups and coalitions fiercely opposed to Haftar
and ideologically-linked to al-Ghariani, clashed with LNA
and affiliated forces especially in the eastern cities of Derna,
Ajdabiya, and Benghazi in the course of the year.
The Derna Mujahideen Shura Council (DMSC) in control of
Derna, eponymous district, engaged in fighting Haftar's LNA.
The latter laid siege to the city, and its recurrent air raids
killed a number of DMSC fighters and civilians. For instance,
airstrikes between June 9 and 15 left seven civilians dead.
Ground forces occasionally engaged in skirmishes, especially
after LNA announced ''Operation Volcano.” For example, between
June 4 and 5, DMSC killed six LNA fighters, who employed
fighter jets and helicopters. Between August 4 and 5,
DMSC killed at least twelve pro-HoR personnel and wounded
19. Clashes ensued after DMSC had attacked a 20-vehiclestrong
LNA convoy around 20 km outside of Derna. LNA
stated it had sent reinforcement troops in 40 vehicles and
targeted DMSC positions with airstrikes.
In January and February, pro-Haftar forces confronted the
Ajdabiya Revolutionaries Shura Council (ARSC) in and around
Ajdabiya, al-Wahat district. LNA repeatedly conducted air
raids on ARSC positions and aligned ground forces attacked
the group. For instance, clashes on January 12 left one person
of the LNA-affiliated 21st Border Guard Battalion and at
least two ARSC fighters dead. Violence erupted on February
18 between ARSC on the one hand and Tawhid al-Salafiya
Battalion as well as neighborhood defense groups supported
by LNA, on the other, leaving several fighters dead. The latter
had driven out ARSC of its two strongholds al-Qalouz Street
and the industrial area before February 21, gaining full control
of the city.
In Benghazi, the offensive by LNA and affiliated forces against
the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council (BRSC) continued
throughout the year. Warplanes and military helicopters frequently
hit BRSC controlled neighborhoods while pro-HoR
ground forces gradually advanced, employing heavy artillery
and leaving BRSC forces encircled in few areas at the end
of the year. On January 4, a warplane crashed on Benghazi.
While both BRSC and IS claimed to have shot it down, LNA
attributed the incident to a technical failure. Similar claims
were raised by LNA and BRSC when planes crashed on February
12, and July 6. On February 20, LNA launched ''Operation
Martyr's Blood” and attacked Islamist-controlled neighborhoods
with T-55 tanks and vehicles mounted with heavy machine
guns and mortar launchers. Three days later, according
to LNA, their forces killed 15 fighters and captured the neighborhoods
of Buatni and al-Laithi, major BRSC strongholds as
well as Marisa port. The offensive left at least 20 LNA personnel
dead and 45 wounded. In early April, LNA aircraft targeted
at least six vessels suspected of carrying weapons and ammunition
supplies for BRSC from Misrata to Benghazi. On May 26,
LNA declared to have killed 25 Islamist fighters in the course
of ''Operation Blue Whale” in Sabri and Souq al-Hout areas.
While LNA claimed to have killed an IS figure, BRSC stated
that the latter was their local leader. More than 27 pro-HoR
forces were killed and more than 40 wounded in two days of
fighting following the start of LNA's ''Operation Badr al-Kubri”
on June 22. BRSC admitted the death of ten fighters as a
result of airstrikes and clashes. On August 2, BRSC claimed
responsibility for a suicide car bomb attack on Gwarsha Gate,
that killed at least 22 members of the LNA Special Forces
and left another 20 wounded. An LNA airstrike on BRSC in
Ganfouda neighborhood killed a group of BRSC commanders
on October 6. Fighting again intensified in November. While
LNA warplanes shelled Ganfouda, BRSC launched Grad rockets
at Benina airport. Pro-HoR forces started a new offensive
on November 14, attacking BRSC positions in Ganfounda and
Gwarsha neighborhoods with aircraft, heavy artillery, and
tanks. LNA claimed to have seized Gwarsha, killing at least
seven militants. Until November 17, more than 40 pro-Haftar
forces were killed in clashes and by the explosion of mines as
well as booby traps. Further combat action concentrated on
the areas of Bosneeb and Ganfouda. LNA attacked the latter
area with more than 20 tanks on November 30 while vessels
struck the area from the sea. Pro-HoR forces also claimed to
have destroyed the only BRSC tank with an RPG that day. On
December 17, LNA stated to have killed dozens of militants
and gained control over Ganfouda. With both BRSC and IS
present in Benghazi, it often remained unclear whether IS or
BRSC or both engaged in combat action [→ Syria, Iraq et al.
(IS)].
An armed group under the command of Ziyad Belaam clashed
with LNA-aligned forces west of Zilla al-Jufra district on May 3.
In support of Belaam's militia, aircraft from Misrata targeted
LNA fighters. In the beginning of June, Belaam – previously
commanding BRSC's Omar al-Mukhtar Brigade – emerged as
the leader of the newly formed Benghazi Defense Brigades
(BDB) to support BRSC and ARSC. NSG said the BDB was part
of its Libyan Army and BDB stated to be operating under the
authority of al-Ghariani. On June 18, BDB clashed with pro-
HoR forces on the outskirts of Ajdabiya. The fighting that
continued the following day left several people dead and
injured. Reportedly, after an initial BDB advance, pro-HoR
troops backed by warplanes repelled the assault and forced
BDB to retreat. On July 10, LNA and BDB clashed between
Ajdabiya and Benghazi. A week later, BDB claimed to have
shot down an army helicopter, using an SA-7 shoulder-fired
missile and heavy machine guns 70 km south of Benghazi,
in the eponymous district. At least six people were killed
in the crash, among them three French intelligence personnel.
Designated GNA Prime Minister Fayez Mustafa al-Serraj
claimed that France had not informed the government about
the presence of French personnel. On July 19 and 20, aerial
bombardment on a BDB position in the same area caused
the death of at least 13. Whereas BDB claimed it had been
targeted by foreign aircraft, France denied any involvement.
LNA forced BDB to retreat, saying they found the bodies of
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