ISIS’ terrorists flee Libya to neighbouring countries

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sounded the alarm of the possibility that ISIS’ elements would flee pressure in Libya to reach neighbouring countries.

France News Agency (AFP) reported citing a confidential report that recent pressure on the so-called ISIS in Libya may push its elements including foreign fighters to go into smaller cells through Libya and neighbouring countries.

The report shows that between 2,000 and 5,000 ISIS’ fighters come from Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Mali, Morocco and Mauritania. They operate in a number of Libyan cities such as Sirte, Tripoli and Derna.  

Ban Ki-moon expressed fears about the possibility that activists would flee the Libyan government to reach the south where countries are weak and can not face security challenges.

The report also says the leader of Merabitoune group in the Sahel region Mokhtar Belmokhtar can move easily in Libya. Eyad Agh Ghali, the leader of Ansar Eddine group in Mali has a base in southern Libya as well.

Millions of arms spread after the Gaddafi regime had been toppled. This enabled Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and a number of similar organizations to have control over northern Mali. 

According to observers, Algeria is not an “easy” country for terror organizations thanks to its army experience.

Terrorist groups underwent unprecedented losses in the last few months. Because of that, ISIS’ elements who fled the Libyan government will take this in consideration.