Libya: 11 beheaded in IS attack in Al-Jufra August 23

Event

According to a spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA), on Wednesday, August 23, Islamic State (IS) militants beheaded 11 people in an attack on the "400 Checkpoint" located near Fuqaha in the Al-Jufra district. Two of the individuals killed were reportedly civilians, while the others were soldiers.

Context

Al-Jufra is located approximately 300 km (185 mi) south of Sirte, a coastal city that IS held control of until it was taken back by Libyan forces in late 2016.

The security situation in Libya remains precarious, and there is little to no sign of a return of relative stability in the near-term. Following the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has been divided into rival governments and factions with their own militias and political parties.

Advice

The security environment in Libya remains complex. Although travel is permissible in some areas, other areas should be considered strictly off limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.