The 106th Brigade (or Awlia Aldem, Arabic: أوليء الدم)[1][2] is a military unit of the Libyan National Army, loyal to Field marshal Khalifa Haftar. It was established as a brigade in 2018.
| 106th Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2018 |
| Country |  Libya |
| Allegiance | House of Representatives |
| Branch | Libyan National Army |
| Size | Brigade |
| Engagements | Battle of Derna (2018–2019) Western Libya campaign (2019) |
History
editThe 106th Battalion was created in 2016, from militias serving as Haftar's personal guard in 2014. It became the 106th Brigade in 2018, through incorporation of various other units.[3][4]
The 106th Battalion first saw combat in the 2018 Battle of Derna.[4][5]
The brigade participated in the capture of Sabha in January 2019.[6] It fought in the failed Tripoli offensive, beginning hostilities on the night of April 4 by seizing a checkpoint between Tripoli and Zawiya.[7] The brigade then performed poorly in the offensive around Zawiya.[3] Many of the brigade's soldiers were captured by the Government of National Accord forces.[4][5]
On 17 July 2019, according to witnesses cited by The Independent and a family member cited by CNN, 25–30 masked, uniformed 106th Brigade members abducted member of the Libyan House of Representatives Seham Sergiwa in Benghazi.[1][2]
In May 2022, the 106th Brigade was deployed to the Chad–Libya border.[8][9]
Commander
editThe 106th Battalion was commanded by Haftar's son, Saddam. He was replaced by his brother Khalid.[10] Major General Salem Rahil took command in mid-2019 but Khalid Haftar remains the de facto leader of the unit.[3]
Equipment and fighters
editDue to its link with Haftar's family, the Brigade has received many modern equipement,[3][7] such as Emirati Nimr and Jordanian Al-Wahsh APCs, and Kornet ATGM.[5] It also received TAG Terrier LT-79 APCs in December 2019.[11]
The Brigade is more professional than previous units of the LNA.[5] The brigade received officers from the new NLA military academy.[3] However, the induction of poorly trained recruits in 2019 reduced the military potential of the brigade.[5]
Composition
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Lister, Tim; Bashir, Nada (20 July 2019). "She's one of the most prominent female politicians in her country. A few days ago she was abducted from her house". CNN. Archived from the original on 22 July 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
- ^ a b Sengupta, Kim (29 July 2019). "Libyan MP and rights campaigner dragged away by masked gunmen after criticising warlord: 'Don't cross the line of the army'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 November 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "02 Inside the LAAF's armed networks". Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank. Archived from the original on 2021-09-12. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ a b c d Larcher, Wolfram (November 2020). "A Most Irregular Army: The Rise of Khalifa Haftar's Libyan Arab Armed Forces" (PDF). Working Paper Research Division Middle East and Africa. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ a b c d e Harchaoui, Jalel; Lazib, Mohamed-Essaïd (2019-07-24). "Proxy War Dynamics in Libya". doi:10.21061/proxy-wars-harchaoui-lazib.
- ^ "Libya: Haftar Forces Take Control of Sabha Citadel". Asharq Al-Awsat. Archived from the original on 2021-01-18. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ a b Lacher, Wolfram (August 2019). "WHO IS FIGHTING WHOM IN TRIPOLI?: How the 2019 Civil War is Transforming Libya's Military Landscape". Small Arms Survey Briefing Paper.
- ^ "Libya Army Deploys Extra Troops Near Chadian Borders". LibyaReview. 2022-05-24. Archived from the original on 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ "Libyan Army: Military Operations Continue Against Terrorists". LibyaReview. 2022-06-13. Archived from the original on 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ Lacher, Wolfram (2021-12-20). "Social Cleavages and Armed Group Consolidation: The Case of Khalifa Haftar's Libyan Arab Armed Forces". Studies in Conflict & Terrorism: 1–25. doi:10.1080/1057610X.2021.2013757. ISSN 1057-610X.
- ^ "Libya brigade gets new armoured vehicles". Janes.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.