Oorlog in Libië #117 Libië wil Gadaffi terug

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The Fight for Benghazi Heats Up

OCTOBER 15, 2014 - 06:59 PM Two government officials in Cairo anonymously declared today that Egyptian warplanes have been bombing Islamist militias in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. Shortly after that the spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency dismissed the reports as false. Just to make matters even more complicated, some reports are claiming that the planes in question are being flown by Libyan pilots.

The reports of airstrikes come not long after a new bout of fighting broke out in Benghazi earlier today. The clashes started a few hours after a televised statement by ex-general Khalifa Haftar in which he vowed to capture the city from a coalition of Islamist groups called The Benghazi Shura Revolutionaries Council, which is dominated by the extremist group Ansar al-Sharia. Both sides are deploying artillery and other heavy weapons in the fighting. (So far airstrikes are being conducted only by Libyan air force units loyal to Haftar, with possible support from sympathizers in Egypt and elsewhere; the Benghazi Islamists have no air power.)

The city of Benghazi, Libya's second largest, has endured a two-year assassination campaign targeting army and police personnel as well as judges, journalists, and civilian activists. Many Libyans blame the attacks on extremist Islamist groups. The Libyan authorities have been unable to establish control in the city and its people have become correspondingly disillusioned with government institutions. Last May, General Haftar decided to seize the initiative by deploying units of the National Army in a military offensive against the militias in the city. His efforts have met with widespread support across the country. Within eastern Libya, the main tribes and several cities have contributed both money and fighters. As a result, Haftar's campaign became the most serious challenge to the power of the militias in eastern Libya since the 2011 revolution. For the last few months, Haftar's "Operation Dignity" campaign has mainly conducted air strikes against Islamist militias targets in Benghazi and Derna. The five-month-long operation appears to have had a significant effect on the militias' sources of supply, cutting off smuggling routes and destroying arms and ammunition depots.

In his televised statement on Tuesday night, Haftar declared the start of a new attempt, which he called "Operation Benghazi," to seize control from the militias. "In the coming hours the national army will start a military operation to liberate the city of Benghazi from terrorist groups," the general said. He promised that "liberating" Benghazi would mark the end of his military career. Ansar al-Sharia responded by quickly issuing a statement vowing to fight back and warning anyone who might consider taking part in the operation. Indeed, Ansar al-Sharia carried out an apparent suicide attack against a military barracks shortly after their statement. (The photo above shows members of the Libyan Red Crescent removing the body of a man killed in the fighting in Benghazi earlier today.)

General Haftar's announcement came as an embarrassment to both the Libyan government and the recently elected parliament, which is currently based in the city of Tobruk. Members of parliament I spoke with today declined to endorse Haftar's action and instead opted for vague statements of support for the people of Benghazi and the army. It remains unclear if this recent military offensive was authorized by the army's chief of staff and if there was any coordination between him and Haftar.

Prime Minister Abdul al-Thini said during a TV interview this afternoon that "we will fight those who fight us and those who do not recognize the democratic process in Libya." Al-Thini's remarks seemed to imply government support for Operation Benghazi: "We offer our appreciation to the sons of the military establishment and the sons of Benghazi who are battling the terrorist groups that took refuge in the city." Army Chief of Staff Abdul Razaq al-Nadori, who was recently appointed to the job by parliament, has yet to make a statement. Al-Nadori played a prominent role in Haftar's earlier campaign against the militias. The Libyan government issued a vague statement of its own about the latest developments, declaring its support for the action of Benghazi's people against "terrorist groups" while calling for restraint and urging medical facilities to prepare for possible casualties.

The House of Representatives has remained silent. Parliamentary spokesman Farag Bo Hashim posted an "offer of prayers and support for the national army in Benghazi" on his personal Facebook page. When I contacted him by phone, Bo Hashim told me that "what is happening in Benghazi is a popular movement, and we support the people of Benghazi."

The battle for Benghazi is an integral part of the broader struggle for power and resources under way among various factions in the country today. According to the country's Interim Constitutional Declaration (the political road map for the transitional phase), the House of Representatives was supposed to convene in Benghazi after its election earlier this year. But the dire security situation meant that it had to move to Tobruk. The decision to convene in Tobruk is being contested in Libya's Supreme Court by Islamists and some members of parliament from the city of Misrata who are boycotting the assembly. Both groups say the session in Tobruk is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict on the matter on Oct. 20.

Power on the ground in Libya is now more or less divided between two sides. Tripoli, the capital, is under the control of a coalition of Islamist fighters and Misrata militias that have established their own government there. They are opposed by the democratically elected and internationally recognized House of Representatives and the official Libyan central government (which is currently residing in the city of al-Baida). If Haftar's forces can capture Benghazi, that would put parliament and the government in a stronger position. But that looks unlikely. This latest push to capture Benghazi probably won't result in a dramatic change on the ground after months of stalemate. Among other issues, the Islamist militias are taking refuge in residential areas, making it difficult for Operation Dignity forces to take full control of the city of the city.

Those mysterious airstrikes remain the subject of widespread speculation. The Libyan parliament has also dismissed the reports of the strikes as "unfounded." Parliamentary spokesman Bo Hashim told me that "only Libyans are involved in the fight against extremist militias in Libya." But even if he's right, the direct or indirect involvement of neighboring Egypt and other regional actors such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, or Turkey, is already complicating matters in Libya significantly. Among other things it could potentially endanger the dialogue initiative currently being led by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). In the worst-case scenario, it could lead to a prolonged regional proxy war in Libya, something like the civil war in Lebanon in the 1970s and 80s. The prospect is horrifying, but unfortunately it can't be entirely dismissed. Perhaps considering the magnitude of the stakes will help to focus the minds of those involved before it's too late.

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Op maandag 20 oktober 2014 15:14 schreef Weltschmerz het volgende:

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Ik heb tot op heden weinig verantwoordelijkheidsbesef kunnen bespeuren bij de humanitaire bommengooiers van toen. Het is ook niet zo dat ze tot verantwoording worden geroepen door kritische media of zo. Een ingrijpen zal dan ook afhankelijk zijn van directe belangen die in het geding zijn.

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Op vrijdag 24 oktober 2014 16:12 schreef Frikandelbroodje het volgende:

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Het lijkt mij een beter idee om landen zoals Noord-Soedan, Qatar en Saoedie-Arabië tot verantwoording te roepen, zodat ze eens ophouden met stoken.

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Op zaterdag 25 oktober 2014 11:19 schreef Weltschmerz het volgende:

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Wie heeft ook alweer met de luchtmacht gezorgd voor de val van Khadaffi?

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Toen waren de leugens van de Quatarese staatszender zeer welkom, maar de daders kwamen toch echt uit het Westen.

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Op vrijdag 14 november 2014 13:07 schreef Frikandelbroodje het volgende:
Enkele kaarten die de recente ontwikkelingen in Benghazi laten zien.

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Het schijnt dat het Libische leger nu ook is begonnen met het omsingelen van Derna.

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Op vrijdag 14 november 2014 13:10 schreef UpsideDown het volgende:

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Het leger maakt dus progressie, dat is goed nieuws.

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A Way Out for Libya

The Libyan quagmire has worsened. Last week, the country’s Supreme Court compromised the standing of portions of the elections law that led to the instituting of Libya’s elected parliament, the House of Representatives. Much controversy surrounded the vague decision and the circumstances in which it took place, exacerbating tensions between forces aligned with the Tobruk-based House and those aligned with the Islamist-backed Tripoli-based Operation Dawn alliance. The two sides have engaged in a violent power struggle for the future of Libya. The decision puts the international community in an awkward position, given its recognition of the House as the country’s legitimate government.

This development comes as Libya faces increased attacks from radical armed groups. Ansar al-Shari’a and its allies in Benghazi are currently engaged in hostilities with other residents and forces loyal to the elected parliament. The alignment of hardline elements in the Dawn coalition with the alliance in Benghazi—which includes extremists such as Ansar al-Shari’a—is particularly worrisome. Meanwhile in Derna, many radical Islamists have also sworn allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

Libya needs an internationally assisted roadmap to lead it out of this disaster and bring about national consensus, in order to allow the country to combat the radical security threats it faces, and begin the reconstruction process. This roadmap should include the following elements:

1. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) should pursue with full force the mediation process brokered by the UN Special Envoy, with full support from all international actors.

2. A national unity government composed of elements supported by the House of Representatives and moderate factions aligned with Tripoli should be formed. A national partner for this part of the process may include the Constitutional Assembly, which faces no legal quandary. This government should be headed by an interim prime minister. Parties that pose a liability to the formation of this government, including Khalifa Haftar on the House’s side, and Abdel Hakim Belhadj of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, should leave the political scene.

3. All militias should be disarmed or integrated into the Libyan National Army, which should immediately work to establish nationwide security. The Libyan National Army should expel radical forces from Benghazi and Derna, and should implement immediate security sector reform, applicable to all Libyan security forces. This cannot be overestimated as crucial.

4. An interim national constitution should be approved by the constitutional assembly as soon as possible. This constitution should define presidential and parliamentary powers.

5. Elections for a head of state and the parliament should be held simultaneously. Elections should incorporate transferable voting to provide officials the widest possible mandate.

6. A new national unity government should be formed following elections. This government would work with the constitutional assembly to create a permanent constitution.

The international community is critical to this entire process—particularly the United Nations and the UN Support Mission to Libya, headed by Bernardino Leon, who has proven apt at building alliances. The role of a prime minister who can maintain unity is likewise vital.

Libya is far too fragile to withstand internal and external pressures. All regional and international actors involved must support the UN initiative without covertly interfering with Libya. The UN Security Council and its member states must support this initiative and empower the process with all means at their disposal.

This is a very delicate time, and the opportunity to initiate positive change before Libya goes beyond the brink is shrinking fast. Libya can recover and rebuild, or it can go over the precipice. The choice must be made now.

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Op zaterdag 25 oktober 2014 13:55 schreef Frikandelbroodje het volgende:

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Khadaffi met zijn eigen luchtmacht toen hij steden begon te bombarderen.

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borzou twitterde op donderdag 27-11-2014 om 11:13:52 Extremist militias (including one embraced by #Libya Dawn "govt") unleash "reign of terror" in Derna, reports @hrw http://t.co/QQEtMcZk5y reageer retweet

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dovenews twitterde op zaterdag 29-11-2014 om 02:30:10 Libya's former General, Haftar, said Friday he has given himself two weeks to take Benghazi & three months to recapture the capital Tripoli. reageer retweet

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Eljarh twitterde op zondag 30-11-2014 om 15:23:51 More visits from Gov officials &HoR members to war stricken #Benghazi as Army continues its push against "pockets" of resistance. #Libya reageer retweet

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Morning_LY twitterde op maandag 01-12-2014 om 01:28:38 The #Libya-n National Army in #Benghazi rescued y'day a Canadian man trapped behind #AnsaralSharia lines for 12 days. http://t.co/svcWq79mLp reageer retweet

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FlorianNeuhof twitterde op maandag 01-12-2014 om 13:43:50 #Libya 's elected gov moots new NOC & Central Bank to win battle for legitimacy & gain resources to fight Islamists. http://t.co/wMAWKo6Lu9 reageer retweet

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Op zondag 16 november 2014 14:32 schreef JaJammerJan het volgende:

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Dat deed hij pas toen Nederland chemische wapens gebruikte in Tripoli.

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Op maandag 1 december 2014 20:54 schreef koosfransoos het volgende:
Aan welke kant staan Misrata/Tripoli nou eigenlijk?

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Op maandag 1 december 2014 20:54 schreef Gulmez het volgende:
is tripoli al veilig genoeg er heen te reizen?

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Op maandag 1 december 2014 20:09 schreef JCats het volgende:
Muammar Gaddafi inherited one of the poorest nations in Africa . However, by the time he was assassinated, Libya was unquestionably Africa 's most prosperous nation. Libya had the highest GDP per capita and life expectancy in Africa and less people lived below the poverty line than in the Netherlands . Libyans did not only enjoy free health care and free education, they also enjoyed free electricity and interest free loans. The price of petrol was around $0.14 per liter and 40 loaves of bread cost just $0.15. Consequently, the UN designated Libya the 53rd highest in the world in human development.

http://www.countercurrents.org/chengu120113.htm

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Op dinsdag 2 december 2014 15:57 schreef Frikandelbroodje het volgende:

Myths of the Gaddafi regime Explained

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Op dinsdag 2 december 2014 17:58 schreef Weltschmerz het volgende:

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Dat stuk slaat evenmin nergens op.

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Op dinsdag 2 december 2014 15:57 schreef Frikandelbroodje het volgende:

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Tripoli is met geweld overgenomen door de Fajr alliantie(Libya Dawn). Een bondgenootschap van verschillende islamistische milities en partijen, met name het moslimbroederschap. Misrata is leidend in het bondgenootschap. In Tripoli heeft Libya Dawn inmiddels een soort rivaliserende overheid opgezet met haar eigen parlement, ministeries etc.

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Reizen naar Tripoli worden sterk afgeraden en ook wel terecht. Tripoli is inmiddels weer redelijk stabiel en 'genormaliseerd' maar dat komt omdat Dawn de stad in zijn geheel heeft overgenomen. Libya Dawn is nu ook een campagne begonnen van intimidatie, ontvoering en zelfs moord op politieke tegenstanders. Dus nee echt veilig wil ik het niet noemen. Bovendien heeft het leger(olv Haftar) aangekondigd in drie maanden de stad te willen heroveren. Gezien het leger momentum heeft acht ik de kans groot dat er weer gevochten gaat worden in de stad.

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Myths of the Gaddafi regime Explained

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Op dinsdag 2 december 2014 19:15 schreef Gulmez het volgende:

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Bedankt voor deze bijdragen erg interessant
De militie die er zit , is wel minder radicaal als IS en Boko haram nee ik aan? Want zoals je had vermeld had je verteld dat het op dit moment redelijk rustiger is qua geweld.

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En over isis is er dagelijks nieuws en over Libie hoor je echt weinig in de NL media

iig bedankt, ik ken iemand die er woont, jaren geen contact mee gehad en maak me wel zorgen,