Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Security Update Libya. Security Update Libya.
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Trans Sahara Routes.

Like Tree6Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Jun 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Posts: 193
Security Update Libya.
For those who might be interested, the security situation in Sirte on the coastal route has just taken a turn for the worse. Rumours are rife in the town of an impending battle here between various katiba brigades and the coming to head of differences between the NTC and Security Council (who are assumed to have Al Qaeda links). All foreign organisations (at least the demining outfits) are leaving the town tomorrow (11-06-12) as we have been advised that our safety cannot be guaranteed.

Reports are circulating of large numbers of technical vehicles converging on the town especially from the Benghazi direction. This is the third time we have had this kind of warning and nothing has come of previous warnings. However, last week 5 'rebels' were reported to have been killed at a check point on the outskirts of town in mysterious circumstances.

Travelers wishing to use the coast road in the coming days should be aware of this and make any decisions accordingly. Will update if anyone needs further info.

Cheers,
CJ.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Jun 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: F
Posts: 856
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam Johnson View Post
For those who might be interested, the security situation in Sirte on the coastal route has just taken a turn for the worse. Rumours are rife in the town of an impending battle here between various katiba brigades and the coming to head of differences between the NTC and Security Council (who are assumed to have Al Qaeda links). All foreign organisations (at least the demining outfits) are leaving the town tomorrow (11-06-12) as we have been advised that our safety cannot be guaranteed.

Reports are circulating of large numbers of technical vehicles converging on the town especially from the Benghazi direction. This is the third time we have had this kind of warning and nothing has come of previous warnings. However, last week 5 'rebels' were reported to have been killed at a check point on the outskirts of town in mysterious circumstances.

Travelers wishing to use the coast road in the coming days should be aware of this and make any decisions accordingly. Will update if anyone needs further info.

Cheers,
CJ.
Thanks Cam for the info even if it is a bad one...

RR.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Jun 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 297
Thanks Cam. Still in Misrata? I was surprised to see many salafists in Sirte in march. They were taking care of the university, among others. I spoke to commander Ali Safrani. Do you know this guy? Liker many other in Sirte he was openly supporting al Qaida.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Jun 2012
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,991
Thanks for the update

Looks like it may have started already
BBC News - Libya unrest: UK ambassador's convoy attacked in Benghazi

Plus more of the same in Kufra
BBC News - At least 16 killed in two days of Libya clashes

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Jun 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Posts: 193
Not looking too good at the moment here in Libya. Apart from the events taken place in Sirte over the last few days, there has been a marked increase in general criminality this year. We've had 4 vehicles stolen in the last 3 months, thankfully 2 were recovered. This is more prominent in the east, especially in Benghazi.

Here is the local coverage of the events in Sirte;

Foreign NGOs ordered out of Sirte | Libya Herald

Definitely there is a power struggle brewing and it's epicentre may turn out to be the Sirte area.

Gert, we're all back at 'home' in Misurata which is the most stable area on the coast. There is support of AQ in Libya, but a lot more against their activities, but as you can imagine their support is rooted in the belief that AQ has the strong arm necessary to bring all the different factions into line. I may have met commander Ali, but Libya has as many commanders as South Sudan has brigadiers: a lot!

We were stopped at a checkpoint and asked way we were leaving Sirte when there was so much work to do. We produced our Get Out of Town, Now! letter from the Security Council, which I'll probably have framed when I get home.

Safe travels all.
CJ.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22 Jun 2012
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,991
recent Libya transit
I've just been notified of another recent overlanders' transit of Libya, about a week ago so they were either lucky or it's not as bad as was predicted despite this report and this near Ghadames. It's still far from plain sailing.

New Tunisian reg: no foreign vehicles can pass out of Rad Ajdir into Libya, but with persuasion it got done at the Dehibat-Wazin crossing to the south (even though visa collection was at Ras).

The recently announced tourist visas are now only available at airports. A business visa cost 500 LD. A guide was not mandatory, but wisely the couple above chose one one anyway.

RAC carnet does not include Libya at present, but there's no office at Wazin to issue the local Libyan version.

An update on Egyptian entry from Libya coming soon. A new border post has been built and may open soon (which curiously, matches the news with the Sudan border on Lake Nasser).

Ch
Last edited by Chris Scott; 25 Jun 2012 at 11:11. Reason: fixed the link
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Posts: 104
Our local media reports: In Libya, three Europeans working for Italian construction company disappeared in city of Zuwara west from Tripolis. Libyan media speculate that they the Italian, Macedonian and Bosnian citizen were kidnapped. Government in Italy and Bosnia already confirmed this news.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Posts: 104
It seems that the security situation in Libya worsens. A few days ago Libyan smugglers attacked and killed 21 Egyptian border guards: Gunmen kill 21 Egyptian military border guards near Libya | Reuters

and now fighting at the Tripoli airport: Heavy clashes erupt over Tripoli airport, at least four dead | Reuters
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 27 Jul 2014
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,991
Leave Libya now warning
BBC News - Leave Libya now, Foreign Office tells Britons
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 28 Jul 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Portugal
Posts: 75
All hell is breaking loose, it seems. Worst every day!

Western governments tell nationals to leave Libya; Germans and Dutch closing embassies |

Great people and beautiful country (was there back in 98)!
Let's hope they get their act together sooner than later!

RN
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 29 Jul 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Tallinn
Posts: 404
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whiskey View Post
It seems that the security situation in Libya worsens. A few days ago Libyan smugglers attacked and killed 21 Egyptian border guards: Gunmen kill 21 Egyptian military border guards near Libya | Reuters
This incident had nothing to do with Libya, Egypt has its fair share of homegrown loonies too. The attack was at the checkpoint on the Oasis road half-way between Bahariya and Farafra, about 350 kilometres to the East of the border. Official statements say the attackers were 'smugglers' not 'terrorists', but I don't really see what the Bahariya lot (who have been involved in the lucrative migrant smuggling trade for over a decade, mainly supplying logistics (fuel/water) for the Libyan run operation with a blind eye from the authorities) would have had to gain by making this, in the granded scheme of things minor and insignificant but very embarrassing attack on the Egyptian military.

That being said, the situation within Libya does not look too promising, unlikely things will get any better until one side or both runs out of firecrackers, but that will take awhile...
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 1 Aug 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Posts: 104
Thank you both, Chris and Andrasz, for the detailed explanation. Basically, I was confused by the information of the local media which reported that the incident took place on the border between the two countries. I was looking for the exact location, but I did not find it. In particular, I forward information within the meaning, warning travelers to avoid the above-mentioned areas. Well, now the security situation in Libya is disastrous.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 1 Aug 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,466
Algeria and Egypt are planning to send troops into Libya.
The Algerians are already there from what I hear.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 17 Feb 2016
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,991
Libya's Quiet War: The Tuareg Of South Libya [Video link]
https://news.vice.com/video/libyas-q...of-south-libya

Libya's Quiet War: The Tuareg Of South Libya

In remote southwest Sahara, the indigenous Tuareg tribe — variously used and discriminated against by former strongman Muammar Qaddafi — fight for their place in a post-revolutionary Libya.
Living deep in Libya's desert near large oil fields and lucrative smuggling routes, hundreds of miles from Libya's capital, the Tuareg find themselves impoverished and isolated on this prized land.
Nowhere is this felt more than in the oasis town of Ubari. Here the Tuareg are pitted against former neighbors in a proxy battle for assets and power, backed by government and international interests.
VICE News travels to meet the Tuareg on the front lines of Ubari and the border town of Ghat, to find out what is really happening in this rarely visited land.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 18 Feb 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,466
Algeria preparing for foreign intervention along the 1232 kms border with Libya
Alerte rouge à la frontière algéro-libyenne - Actualité - El Watan
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 4 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 4 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
PAKISTAN: an update + new info re visas at Sost luckro SE Asia 25 2 Jan 2016 06:39
Security Egypt and Ferries from Europe to Egypt Lalli North Africa 7 13 Feb 2012 14:49
Liberia + Cote d'Ivoire Security stevo52 sub-Saharan Africa 1 24 Jan 2012 07:35
Update on going north from Egypt - Nov 2011 rupertu Ride Tales 0 28 Nov 2011 10:02
Niger Update danielsan North Africa 4 24 Nov 2011 12:44

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:46.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top