News Content

UN makes Libyan deal, ISIL falls back, 30 warships crowd Yemeni coast

THE UN has brokered a peace deal with its preferred regime in Tobruk and surrounding municipalities, but not necessarily with the rival regime that holds the nation's capital Tripoli, reports maritime security firm MAST.

"There remains a question mark over whether the Tripoli-based government will become part of the new peace deal," said MAST chief operations officer Gerry Northwood.

The Tobruk regime has also retaken the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) held town of Derna, but the insurgents remain in control of Sirte and the surrounding region.

It appears that "force majeure" (an unavoidable circumstance) still exists over Ras Lanuf. The National Oil Company (NOC) has two different branches, the original headquarters and board of directors still sits in Tripoli, but a rival branch is established in Tobruk.

Said Mr Northwood: "While the Tripoli branch rescinded force majeure, they do not actually have control over the port and have been unable to enforce the move. The Tobruk based NOC representative has stated force majeure still stands and threatened a tankers destined for Ras Lanuf with detention by security forces if berthed in port.

In Yemen, coastal waters are congested with 30 naval assets involved in Yemen operations. Djibouti is already at capacity handling humanitarian cargo as UN agencies look to expand operations to Jeddah, Salalah and possibly Berbera.

"Aden is the [pro-Saudi] coalition's priority port to be secured for the delivery of aid. The coalition operations appear to have been successful in ensuring the Bab El Mandeb and southern Red Sea have remained secure to international shipping.

In Aden, pro-Saudi Southern Resistance fighters have made gains yesterday, recapturing the airport and an adjacent military base from Iranian-backed Houthi forces, who hold the capital Sana'a.

Southern Resistance forces, were aided by Saudi combat aircraft, and have continued to push farther south into Aden's Khormaksar district. Houthi forces are said to be surrendering and withdrawing from the city.