Libyan Gazette Weekly News Digest 08/22: Is Western Intervention Prolonging the Existence of ISIS

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News Digest
Aug 22, 2016

Your top stories from the past week:

War On ISIS

A Review of the War on ISIS: Is Western Intervention Prolonging the Existence of ISIS?

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) ISIS has survived in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq even though a range of anti-ISIS forces have been fighting them for over two years to no end. Such forces include the Iraqi army, Kurdish and sectarian militias and the Western armies such as the US, France, Germany, Britain and others. The offensive effort …

ISIS Attacks Libyan Checkpoint in Sirte with Two Car Bombs

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) Ten Government of National Accord (GNA) troops were killed on Thursday after two car bombs exploded. The attack was committed by ISIS suicide bombers in a desperate attempt to hold their position in Sirte, the extremist group’s only stronghold in Africa. Ahmed Hadia, a spokesperson for the Libyan forces, said the attack happened in the …

GNA Troops Continue to Liberate Sirte From ISIS

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) On Tuesday, Libyan forces loyal to the UN-backed unity government in Tripoli said that the last districts in central Sirte, where ISIS fighters were hiding, are now under their control. Libyan forces have been battling against ISIS since May and have recently made significant gains against the extremist group in their stronghold of Sirte after …

Libya Warns Italy of ISIS Fighter in Milan

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) Libyan authorities have warned Italy that an ISIS fighter is currently in Milan. The fighter, who has connections with an ISIS commander from Tunisia known as Abu Nassim, is said to be located in San Siro, a neighbourhood in the Italian city. Abu Nassim, who is also known as Moez Ben Abdelkader Fezzani, used to …

Libya’s Head of Intelligence Says ISIS Has No Room To Escape

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) Forces loyal to the UN-backed unity government (GNA) in Tripoli said they are nearing the end to their fight against ISIS in Sirte. As of yesterday, one of three districts that were controlled by ISIS was liberated by Libyan forces said a security official on Wednesday. Colonel Ismail Shukri, head of the GNA’s intelligence in …

Sirte Could be Just the Beginning for ISIS in Africa

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) Libyan forces have been making significant advancements against ISIS in Sirte as a result of support from the US who have led an airstrike campaign that began earlier this month. ISIS has since been desperate to establish a new base, and there are reports that ISIS fighters have been escaping Sirte and heading towards other …

Politics:

Western Superpowers Support Appointment of Panel to Manage Libya’s State Fund

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) On Thursday, the governments of the US, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the UK said that they support the decision of the Government of National Accord (GNA) to appoint a panel that will direct the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) in its management of Libya’s state funds. The objective of the LIA is to protect Libya’s …

Canadian Federal Police to Assess Streit Group’s Violation of UN Arms Embargo on Libya

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) The Canadian government told the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada’s federal police force, to look into a UN report which stated that a Canadian owned company violated a UN arms embargo by sending dozens of armoured personnel carriers to war-torn Libya. On Monday, the Canadian Global Affairs Department said that the RCMP has been …

Denmark Willing to Destroy Chemical Weapons in Libya

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) On Monday, Denmark announced it is prepared to offer its support to an international operation intended to rid Libya of chemical weapons. The Danish government said it is ready to send a container vessel, a support ship and 200 staff to rid Libya of chemical weapons. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemicals Weapons (OPCW) which …

Migration:

Bodies of Two Young Syrian Refugees Uncovered Off Libyan Coast

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) Two Syrian girls died in the Mediterranean after their boat which was carrying 27 Syrian refugees on route to Europe capsized off the shores of Libya. The girls, who were eight months and five years old, were among six of the 27 passengers on the boat who drowned, said the humanitarian organization Migration Offshore Aid …

Business

Greek Vessel Loads Oil From Zueitina Oil Port Despite Hostile Environment

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) An Oil tanker sent by the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) began to load a shipment of oil on Thursday from the Zueitina oil port after forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar allowed the tanker to dock, said an official from the port. Earlier this month, concerns were expressed by the NOC regarding potential clashes …

GNA Appoints Committee to Take Care of Libyan National Fund Worth $67 Billion

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) Hassan Bouhadi submits his resignation from the LIA. On Monday, the UN-backed unity government (GNA) formed a five-member committee to look after Libya’s $67 billion sovereign wealth fund. The committee is not meant to discard the assets of the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), said the GNA in a statement, instead its purpose is to protect …

Haftar’s Forces Provoke Petroleum Facilities Guards in Zueitina

(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff) General Khalifa Haftar’s forces have made their way into Zueitina and have camped close to 10 kilometers away from the Zueitina oil port. The Zueitina oil port is controlled by the Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG), who are loyal to the UN-backed unity government (GNA), and continues to be under force majeure. Last Thursday, Ahmed Mismari, …