The violence began in Libya back in 2011 after the dethronement of the then President, Gaddafi. Since then, the country has been in chaos. Attempts to establish a democratic government and restore peace in the country have failed. Instead, the nation has disintegrated into a war-prone environment with rival governments battling each other. The country has become a home to lawlessness. Like extremists like Islamic State, armed groups have evolved and happen to run the country’s violent operations.
Who is Currently Fighting in Libya?
Since 2014, Libya has reported surging violence cases, mainly between rival centers of politics in the east and west. I.e., the Tripoli administration, known as the Government of National Accord, governed by Sarraj, and the Tobruk administration, which operates from the east. The Tobruk Government appointed Haftar to be in charge of the Libyan National Army to restore sovereignty.
Even though the United Nations recognizes GNA as Libya’s official government, it holds very little power before the Libyans. GNA deals with distrust from Islamist politicians who are after it. Meanwhile, Haftar’s supporters believe that he has the potential to end extremist attacks in the country. However, others see Mr. Haftar as a possible military dictator if he becomes the country’s head of state.
International Community Reacts to Crises
Libya is an oil-rich country. As such, civil violence in the country has hindered the country’s oil production rate. Therefore, over the past years, foreign governments have tried to intervene in the situation in Libya. However, most of these countries have attempted to resolve Libya’s problem with their best interests at heart, i.e., economic strategy.
GNA, the country’s primary government, has support from Turkey, Qatar, and Italy, who are also its main allies. Meanwhile, LNA is backed by Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Jordan, etc.
Through taking sides, Foreign States are contributing to the worsening situation in Libya. They have flooded the country with drones, ammunition, ignoring the UN’s intention to restore peace. For instance, Russia has sent mercenaries to Libya, and Sudanese men have been recruited to fight alongside LNA. In January, Turkey sent Syrian recruits to protect the Tripoli government. Last year’s high profile talks did not result in any lasting truce.
Impacts of Civil War
Initially, while Gaddafi was the President, Libya had one of the highest living standards in Africa. Currently, the country’s economy has deteriorated. Costs of items have escalated, shortage of medicine, power cuts form part of a widespread problem the country is battling.
Death tolls have also increased in the country amid the surging conflicts. Recently, forensic research revealed ten bodies, which they exhumed from mass graves outside Tripoli, the epicenter of extremists. The Minister for the Government of National Accord stated that they also uncovered three blindfolded bodies and their wrists bound. Last year when the government first discovered the mass graves, the United Nations was shocked. Since then, forensics have exhumed about 120 bodies, which include both children and women.
Based in New York, Hunan Rights Watch also stated that they had received news of 300 people abducted in Turhuna. The latter is currently under GNA control. Witnesses reported that the militia abducted, detained, and tortured people.
More:
