“In June the IS affiliate seized the coastal city of Sirte, 450 kilometers east of Tripoli, vanquishing in the process one of strongest battalions, the 166th, from the militia-rich town of Misrata, a key backer of the Tripoli government.” But don’t be concerned: Barack Obama says they’re losing!
“Islamic State Launches Attack on Libyan Airport,” by Jamie Dettmer, Voice of America, September 19, 2015:
Militants loyal to the extremist Islamic State group managed to penetrate an air base Friday on the outskirts of Tripoli that serves as the Libyan capital’s only working airport and launch an attack on the headquarters of an Islamist militia that is opposed to them.
The attack by a suicide squad composed of at least four militants is one of the most aggressive forays the Islamic State has made on the Libyan capital. Four assailants were killed, according to a spokesman for the mainly Islamist upstart Tripoli-run government — the rival to the internationally recognized administration now in exile in the eastern Libyan towns of Tobruk and Beida.
At least three members of the Special Deterrence Force, a 700-member militia loyal to the Tripoli government, were killed, rebuffing the assault. The Tripoli government issued a statement expressing condolences to the families of the SDF fighters killed and emphasized its determination “to fight and eliminate terrorism.”
The attack comes as the U.N.’s special envoy to Libya, the Spanish diplomat Bernardino Leon, is seeking to hammer out a complicated power-sharing deal to rid fractious Libya of its parallel rival governments. Under the Leon deal the factions would form a government of national accord, but talks are faltering ahead of a September 20 deadline.
Leon has said his announced deadline is the “very last moment” for Libyans to come together.
The Islamic State has exploited the turmoil in Libya and has been striking in territory controlled by both the upstart government in Tripoli and the internationally recognized one in the east of the North African country. In June the IS affiliate seized the coastal city of Sirte, 450 kilometers east of Tripoli, vanquishing in the process one of strongest battalions, the 166th, from the militia-rich town of Misrata, a key backer of the Tripoli government….

Don McKellar says
Barrack Obama is responsible for this. He is responsible for enabling the creation of the Islamic State, responsible for inspiring the Arab Spring, responsible for overthrowing Qaddafi (who kept this place under control and was conducting himself decently for once), responsible for the horrific slaughter at the embassy. Obama is completely responsible. He has thrown this and a half-dozen countries into the chaos and horror of all-out Islamic jihad. Why is the mainstream media not holding him to account?
Angemon says
Not to worry – the “secular”, “moderate” muslims in Libya are sure to take up arms and fight the “extremists” who “hijacked islam”. Any minute now…
Any minute…
Wait for it…
Keep waiting…
Incek Mahallesi says
Allow me to shed some truth on the whole matter.
Spencer writes these articles, but I am quite sure that he has never been to Libya, and has no first-hand knowledge of what’s going there.
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I do. And what Spencer and all of the rest of who you think what’s going on, is not anywhere near the truth.
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ISIS may be attacking Tripoli, but I doubt it – since Zintan is the militia in Tripoli…Ansar Al Sharia in Tobruk and Benghazi`.
Something is amiss – those Zintan dudes in Tripoli have kept ISIS out for a year – and longer, since I got out of there.
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Don’t believe what you hear on the Internet…I’m not completely sure what the hell is going on, but I don’t think ISIS is ready to occupy Tripoli, despite Spencer’s efforts to plug his new book.
Robert Spencer says
Incek
I don’t know if you’re careless or dishonest or both, but as is clearly indicated above, the info about the Islamic State attacking in Tripoli comes from the Voice of America, not from me. Nor is there any mention of my book in this post, contrary to your gratuitous little swipe.
Incek Mahallesi says
Oh – wow – so Spencer deigns to speak to the hoi-poloi.
Seems you’re actually monitoring the site – that’s a good thing…thank you.
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“I don’t know if you’re careless or dishonest or both, but as is clearly indicated above, the info about the Islamic State attacking in Tripoli comes from the Voice of America, not from me.”
Well, you admit that you don’t know – but let me tell you Sir – as you well know from my many email contacts with you from Iraq and Libya – I DO KNOW.
And your quoting of the Voice of America is a sham. I have been there, done the time and paid the dues, and I stand with my statements. Have you been to Tripoli?
How dare you accuse me of dishonesty! You – who purport to be a defender of free speech!
And you – who I sent my contracts from Iraq and Libya? Did you forget those too? Don’t try to deny it – I have the “sent” emails saved.
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https://www.facebook.com/pages/Global-Knowledge-School-Ein-Zara-Tripoli-Libya/572924442744599?rf=192957217543090
“Nor is there any mention of my book in this post, contrary to your gratuitous little swipe.”
Why should you need to mention it, when it’s clear that your recent book deals with ISIS -wherever it may be?
That’s a very weak response, Robert – I admire your ten books – I’ve read them all and paid for every one of them but, your knowledge of Libya/Iraq and ISIS is limited, to say the least.
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I offered you my posts from Iraq, and you said – “Absolutely – send them to me”.
Did you forget that? You never responded after I hounded you for awhile. How does that wash, Robert? Have some integrity now, and respond to me like a gentleman, instead of banning me for a few bad words.
Your site actually hangs in the balance with posts like these.
Think like Trane. Improvise a bit – let your hair down. Expound. Grace us with your thoughts.
Robert Spencer says
Ah, now I know who you are, and that explains your abusive tone, which would otherwise be mystifyingly gratuitous. I banned you for your out-of-control behavior and language, and am just about to do so again. As for the Tripoli report, take it up with the VOA — I didn’t originate it. Goodbye.
Angemon says
Huh, Incek? The article was written by Voice of America. Mr. Spencer’s input is limited to a sentence (“But don’t be concerned: Barack Obama says they’re losing!“), and he doesn’t mention his book (which is about ISIS’s driving ideology and how they work, not about what’s happening in Libya today).
Incek Mahallesi says
Hi A!
Did you read all of my post? I don’t give a rat’s ass what the Voice of America says – it’s second-hand news, and the person that quotes it in his blog posts ought to be responsible for it.
But that’s not the real issue – don’t reflexively defend Spencer – when his base of knowledge is questionable…up to and to the point ofi gnoring first-hand reports from Erbil, Kurdistan, among others that I offered him, and to which he said, “Absolutely – I want them.” …then studiously ignored.
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Look, A – I’m not out to get Spencer on this or his books, but for him to question my honesty is simply beyond the pale – and despicable.
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Angemon:
“…and he doesn’t mention his book (which is about ISIS’s driving ideology and how they work, not about what’s happening in Libya today).”
Oh, stop it now – friend! The title of the article is all about Libya! Don’t be a toady – and respond intelligently, as you usually do.
Robert Spencer says
Oh, and for the record, this clown promised firsthand reports but never actually sent any.
Angemon says
I read the whole thing, Incek, but I’m not privy to the emails exchanged between you and Mr. Spencer, so I can’t comment on them.
bobm says
how the HELL is any corporate entity that deals with these cockroaches not driven into oblivion by the world market bosses.?.. how do they get these trucks and HOW do the travel openly without being turned into chip scrap and bad burger?
RCCA says
The healthy young men who should be stepping up and defending Libya/Syria/Iraq/Afghanistan are mostly leaving for Europe these days. They know better than anyone what is happening around them and their prospects for the future.