Ensuing chaos in Libya
- Don Juice
- Mar 27, 2017
- 2 min read
A lot of news coverage has been put on Syria but people in the same breath forget about the conflict in Libya that is still currently going on. I would have to do a second article to go in depth of the conflict there with the major power players. Ever since Gadhafi was overthrown, Libya has not been able to get back on its feet and there are 3 situations that I want to talk about which are the Oil fight, Battle of Benghazi and Tripoli clashes.
Oil Fight
It’s called the Libyan Oil Crescent and there have been battles to own this strip of land because of the oil reserves and power and money involved. Recently renegade Libyan general Khalifa Haftar controlled them but his forces were pushed out by the Benghazi Defense Brigades on March 3rd. But on March 14th his forces backed by airstrikes were able to gain back control of the oil terminals reasserting his influence in the area.
Battle of Benghazi
In the Battle of Benghazi Haftar again comes back in as his forces have been battering the city trying to get rid of Islamic militants who are embedded in the area. So far he has been successful at doing that largely in the city and now he has eliminated the last resistance in the Ganfouda’s 12 Apartments complex leaving only two northern neighborhoods left before full liberation. The militants that are left are ansar al-sharia fighters who were also implicated in the 2012 Benghazi attack on the American consulate.
Tripoli Clashes
In Tripoli the GNA or Government of National Accord led by Faiez Serraj were able to take control of the Rixos complex which was the headquarters for the National Salvation Government headed by Khalifa Ghwell. It was also reported that he was injured in the fighting. While there was a fragile ceasefire agreement implemented, there are still some militias not abiding by the agreement and last year in October just to note, the National Salvation Government took over government institutions attempting a coup against the GNA.
The Libyan situation is very complex and the fight continues from competing factions for control of the country through its national resources and seats of power.
Comments