2016 in Libya
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following lists events that happened during 2016 in Libya.
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Incumbents
- President of the House of Representatives (Tobruk-based government): Aguila Saleh Issa (since 5 August 2014)
- Prime Minister (Tobruk-based government): Abdullah al-Thani (since 11 March 2014)
- Chairman of the Presidential Council and Prime Minister (Government of National Accord): Fayez al-Sarraj (since 12 March 2016)
Events
January
- 4 January – The Islamic State seized control of Bin Jawad before militants in twelve vehicles attacked the city of Sidra, killing two Petroleum Facilities Guard militants in a suicide bomb attack at a checkpoint.[1]
- 7 January – At least 65 people were killed when a truck bomb hit a police training center in the Libyan town of Zliten.[2]
March
- 12 March – Fayez al-Sarraj and members of the UN-backed Presidential Council arrived in Tripoli by sea to establish the Government of National Accord, despite opposition from rival factions.[3]
May–December: Battle of Sirte
- 12 May – Forces loyal to the GNA launched an offensive against the Islamic State in Sirte.[4]
- 1 August – The United States launched airstrikes in support of GNA forces fighting Islamic State in Sirte.[5]
- 6 December – The Libyan Prime Minister announced that Sirte had been liberated from Islamic State after months of fighting.[6]
September
- 11 September – General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army seized control of key oil ports in the Oil Crescent, including Ras Lanuf, Es Sider, Zueitina, and Brega.[7]
December
- 23 December – Afriqiyah Airways Flight 209 was hijacked en route from Sebha to Tripoli and diverted to Malta. The hijackers surrendered after all passengers were released unharmed.[8]
Deaths
- Mohammed Najm, military officer and political figure (date of death unknown)[9]
- Mokhtar Belmokhtar, Algerian jihadist and militant leader, reported killed in U.S. airstrikes in Libya in June (though unconfirmed).[10]
- Abdel Rahman al-Qarawi, senior IS commander in Sirte, killed during fighting.[11]