24 Mar 2021 | 08:04 PM UTC
Libya: Unidentified gunmen assassinate senior Libyan National Army commander in Benghazi on March 24
Unidentified gunmen assassinate senior Libyan National Army in Benghazi, Libya, March 24. Increased security likely.
Event
Mahmoud al-Werfalli, a senior commander with the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) in eastern Libya, was assassinated on March 24. According to initial reports, al-Werfalli was killed when unidentified gunmen attacked his convoy as it was traveling along the Third Ring Road in Benghazi.
A heightened security presence is likely near the affected area through at least March 25. Additional patrols and checkpoints are possible. Extra security measures may prompt ground travel disruptions.
Context
Al-Werfalli was the commander of the LNA's elite Sai'qa force. He had been under indictment and was the object of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for war crimes, including allegedly personally executing more than 30 prisoners in several separate incidents. His death comes amid an extremely fragile security situation in Libya, compounded by the continued inability of the rival warring factions to reconcile.
Advice
Avoid the impact area until authorities give the all-clear. Seek alternative routes to circumvent the scene of the incident. Heed instructions of local security officials.
