French report indicates ISIS reemergence in Sabratha, Libya thanks to Turkish-backed factions

SABRATHA, Libya — A French report revealed the reemergence of the Islamic State (ISIS) in the city of Sabratha in western Libya, stressing the existence of a relationship between Turkey’s transfer of Syrian mercenaries to Libya and the reappearance of ISIS in those areas.

After ISIS’s defeat in Iraq and Syria, Radio France Internationale has reported the groups reemergence in the city of Sabratha, in western Libya, under the cover of the Turkish-backed militias in Tripoli.

Citing the testimonies of local residents, the report confirmed that ISIS began to take over control in Sabratha. According to the local testimonies, ISIS is no longer concealing their presence in the city. They have established two camps, Al-Talil and Al-Baraem, in the vicinity of the city.

The report also confirmed that the operations room established by the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) to fight ISIS includes fighters belonging to other extremist organizations.

The Libyan National Army (LNA) had confirmed more than once that it had seen many prominent leaders of ISIS in Sabratha, after the Syrian mercenaries entered the city.

The reemergence of ISIS in Libya is not surprising given the chaos of the country’s civil war. A recent study conducted by Azeem Ibrahim at the Strategic Studies Institute at the United States Army War College states that ISIS is, “regrouping, quietly expanding capacity … until [it] might once again be strong enough to be a challenger in Libya.”

The group still has the capacity to launch small-scale attacks in Libya, says the report.

“They engage in small-scale attacks and skirmishes necessary to establish themselves in the criminal smuggling network that link sub-Saharan Africa to the Libyan coast in the north.”

If allowed to maintain its activity on a small-scall, the possibility remains for ISIS reassert itself in the future.