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SEPTEMBER 2026: War In The Hinterlands

The drums of war beat louder within the hinterlands of Libya. While the urban sprawls of the north still lingers to the serenity of peace, the cries for blood brew ever stronger as the triumphant roars from both the marshal’s men and the white settlers echoes, fighting for the excess of glory and riches.

To the east, the Libyan National Army once again orchestrated their aspirations for reunification. Weeks after their victory at the Battle of Zelten, they set their sights to secure to the south - a land relatively unscathed by the tribulations of the civil war. In their design to consolidate the lawless desert, they sent an ultimatum to the Tebbou council residing in Al-Jawf: There, they demand their capitulation in exchange for limited autonomy. Knowing the futility of fending off their armoured spearheads, the elders agree to surrender and serve as officials of their respective lands. However, some aren’t keen on such compromise, and few are furious by what they consider to be a grievous act of betrayal. In response, some splintered from the authority of the council and wage skirmishes from the surrounding hills: raiding parties harassed convoys from the north and saboteurs disrupted the operation of basic infrastructure via welding or improvised explosives. Despite the meagre resistance, securing the region has enabled the LNA to requisition crop surpluses from its agricultural oasis and control a vital hub that connects Libya with neighbouring countries such as Sudan and Chad. With the entirety of the eastern hinterlands within their grasp, they can focus the entire might of their army north, with the stern and wise leadership of Khalid Ibn Khammas on their side.

In the depths of the Free State of Sabha, Martin Geoff faces his highs and lows. After months of facing the fierce incursion from Tuareg raiding parties, they were able to retake Ubari: A detachment of the Sabha Core Army slowly pushed them out through a meticulous barrage of mortars, and when the Tuareg made a retreat, the arrival of Ljubomir’s Iron Brigade provided them aerial coverage, sweeping down some of the scattered forces to prevent another possible incursion. Their victory at the city convinced the remaining parties harassing Murzuq to retreat as well, securing the western fringes of the Free State once again. However, taking back the city has cost their war effort against Khattuf’s Clique: Their narrow salient allows the defending force to surround a large detachment of the Core Army stationed in Madrusah and Al-Qatrumm, cutting them off from supplies vital to their operation. Facing the consequence of losing a chunk of his army and the possible backlash he might endure from his supporters, he was forced to confer for peace negotiations, forcing his army to withdraw and pay massive reparations in exchange for a prisoner exchange. Despite their failure against the Khattuf Clique, Geoff turned this blunder into a presentable triumph: he exacerbated the Core Army’s efforts against the Tuareg and renamed Ubari to Martinville in celebration of what Geoff considers to be an “olympian effort” to tame the savage lands.

At the edge of the west, the Confederation of the Tribes struggles over internal strife concerning their newest member - the Megarha. Despite being the largest of the four, some of their tribal elders are agitated over what they perceive to be an unequal balance of power. During the convene in Masqan, one of their representatives - Mahmoud Jibril Al-Megarha, addressed that only 4 of them have a seat within the Grand Council in comparison to the other tribe, which holds more seats. In retaliation, he threatened to deny them access to their roads leading to Sabha until they yield a fairer representation. However, the council lashed back against his reprisal: They reminded the Megarha tribe that they have yet to lift their tolling scheme against their caravans and threaten to withhold their next supply of water gallons in return. Some officials are rather sympathetic with the concerns addressed during the convening, with Mustapha Al-Saadi - the head speaker of the council, calling for reconciliation by giving them more seats. Despite his plea, both parties have yet to show any sign of compromise, which slowly succumbs the once optimistic union into a political fallout.

In contrast to the chaos plaguing the confederation, the Islamic State faced a streak of success with the neighbouring Fergiani. Once reluctant to join sides due to the tribe’s established neutrality, the diplomatic entourage personally assembled by the Caliph was able to convince the elder council into their sway, eventually forming a memorandum of understanding. The terms were considered fair by both parties: In return for protection against the encroaching Green Army and a monthly tribute of fish surplus, the Islamic States are exempted from paying tolls when crossing through their highway. Since then, many caravans from Sirte funnel south to trade their produce such as tuna and crustaceans, flourishing the local economy in the process.

And in a surprising turn of events, the announcement of a diplomatic conference between the Green Army and Mansur Clique shocked many foreign observers and correspondents. While Zaim established uneasy ties with his generalissimo counterpart since the partition of Zintan, it was to address the weariness of his followers after months of endless expansion since the Battle of Bani Walid. However, the Majlis Al-Khubara announced their attempts to officially convene with the clique in the neutral grounds hosted by the Werfalla tribe. Their delegates gathered at the central mosque in Ash Shuwayrif to discuss the terms and prospects of this potential cooperation. However, the initial results are lukewarm as neither parties seem capable of formulating terms of agreement or treaties, some sessions have devolved into political mudslinging. Despite their failure to compromise for the benefit of both factions, their diplomatic representatives have agreed to extend the talks for another week, hoping for better prospects in the next assembly.

And beyond the fringes of the Warring State, eccentric tales of corrupt sailors and unusual benefactors took the scenes. The Staffetta - an Italian patrol boat meant to safeguard its coast from piracy, is under investigation over allegations related to the corsairs, accused of smuggling oil and refugees and being accessories over recent kidnappings. In Ghana, over 37 U.S citizens posing as Ukrainian tourists were arrested after their attempts to reach the Free State of Sabha were revealed, later extradited to the United States. And consistent with past rumours, The Mediterranean reported allegations of Israel smuggling 7 UAVs to the Libyan National Army days after their takeover of the southern hinterlands.

Description

SEPTEMBER 2026: War In The Hinterlands

The drums of war beat louder within the hinterlands of Libya. While the urban sprawls of the north still lingers to the serenity of peace, the cries for blood brew ever stronger as the triumphant roars from both the marshal’s men and the white settlers echoes, fighting for the excess of glory and riches.

To the east, the Libyan National Army once again orchestrated their aspirations for reunification. Weeks after their victory at the Battle of Zelten, they set their sights to secure to the south - a land relatively unscathed by the tribulations of the civil war. In their design to consolidate the lawless desert, they sent an ultimatum to the Tebbou council residing in Al-Jawf: There, they demand their capitulation in exchange for limited autonomy. Knowing the futility of fending off their armoured spearheads, the elders agree to surrender and serve as officials of their respective lands. However, some aren’t keen on such compromise, and few are furious by what they consider to be a grievous act of betrayal. In response, some splintered from the authority of the council and wage skirmishes from the surrounding hills: raiding parties harassed convoys from the north and saboteurs disrupted the operation of basic infrastructure via welding or improvised explosives. Despite the meagre resistance, securing the region has enabled the LNA to requisition crop surpluses from its agricultural oasis and control a vital hub that connects Libya with neighbouring countries such as Sudan and Chad. With the entirety of the eastern hinterlands within their grasp, they can focus the entire might of their army north, with the stern and wise leadership of Khalid Ibn Khammas on their side.

In the depths of the Free State of Sabha, Martin Geoff faces his highs and lows. After months of facing the fierce incursion from Tuareg raiding parties, they were able to retake Ubari: A detachment of the Sabha Core Army slowly pushed them out through a meticulous barrage of mortars, and when the Tuareg made a retreat, the arrival of Ljubomir’s Iron Brigade provided them aerial coverage, sweeping down some of the scattered forces to prevent another possible incursion. Their victory at the city convinced the remaining parties harassing Murzuq to retreat as well, securing the western fringes of the Free State once again. However, taking back the city has cost their war effort against Khattuf’s Clique: Their narrow salient allows the defending force to surround a large detachment of the Core Army stationed in Madrusah and Al-Qatrumm, cutting them off from supplies vital to their operation. Facing the consequence of losing a chunk of his army and the possible backlash he might endure from his supporters, he was forced to confer for peace negotiations, forcing his army to withdraw and pay massive reparations in exchange for a prisoner exchange. Despite their failure against the Khattuf Clique, Geoff turned this blunder into a presentable triumph: he exacerbated the Core Army’s efforts against the Tuareg and renamed Ubari to Martinville in celebration of what Geoff considers to be an “olympian effort” to tame the savage lands.

At the edge of the west, the Confederation of the Tribes struggles over internal strife concerning their newest member - the Megarha. Despite being the largest of the four, some of their tribal elders are agitated over what they perceive to be an unequal balance of power. During the convene in Masqan, one of their representatives - Mahmoud Jibril Al-Megarha, addressed that only 4 of them have a seat within the Grand Council in comparison to the other tribe, which holds more seats. In retaliation, he threatened to deny them access to their roads leading to Sabha until they yield a fairer representation. However, the council lashed back against his reprisal: They reminded the Megarha tribe that they have yet to lift their tolling scheme against their caravans and threaten to withhold their next supply of water gallons in return. Some officials are rather sympathetic with the concerns addressed during the convening, with Mustapha Al-Saadi - the head speaker of the council, calling for reconciliation by giving them more seats. Despite his plea, both parties have yet to show any sign of compromise, which slowly succumbs the once optimistic union into a political fallout.

In contrast to the chaos plaguing the confederation, the Islamic State faced a streak of success with the neighbouring Fergiani. Once reluctant to join sides due to the tribe’s established neutrality, the diplomatic entourage personally assembled by the Caliph was able to convince the elder council into their sway, eventually forming a memorandum of understanding. The terms were considered fair by both parties: In return for protection against the encroaching Green Army and a monthly tribute of fish surplus, the Islamic States are exempted from paying tolls when crossing through their highway. Since then, many caravans from Sirte funnel south to trade their produce such as tuna and crustaceans, flourishing the local economy in the process.

And in a surprising turn of events, the announcement of a diplomatic conference between the Green Army and Mansur Clique shocked many foreign observers and correspondents. While Zaim established uneasy ties with his generalissimo counterpart since the partition of Zintan, it was to address the weariness of his followers after months of endless expansion since the Battle of Bani Walid. However, the Majlis Al-Khubara announced their attempts to officially convene with the clique in the neutral grounds hosted by the Werfalla tribe. Their delegates gathered at the central mosque in Ash Shuwayrif to discuss the terms and prospects of this potential cooperation. However, the initial results are lukewarm as neither parties seem capable of formulating terms of agreement or treaties, some sessions have devolved into political mudslinging. Despite their failure to compromise for the benefit of both factions, their diplomatic representatives have agreed to extend the talks for another week, hoping for better prospects in the next assembly.

And beyond the fringes of the Warring State, eccentric tales of corrupt sailors and unusual benefactors took the scenes. The Staffetta - an Italian patrol boat meant to safeguard its coast from piracy, is under investigation over allegations related to the corsairs, accused of smuggling oil and refugees and being accessories over recent kidnappings. In Ghana, over 37 U.S citizens posing as Ukrainian tourists were arrested after their attempts to reach the Free State of Sabha were revealed, later extradited to the United States. And consistent with past rumours, The Mediterranean reported allegations of Israel smuggling 7 UAVs to the Libyan National Army days after their takeover of the southern hinterlands.