Libya Update: March 2018

The last time I posted on Libya was back in January. I figured it was time to see what is going on in that country. Reuters has an article up about Sabha, what they call a southern city. Honestly, when I looked up the city on the map, it appears to be more in the middle of the country versus the south of the country. Based on Wikipedia, the city has a population of 130,000. Fighting has occurred in the city between forces loyal (Sixth Division) to the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Tebu ethnic group.

A reminder is that the LNA is the government in Eastern Libya. There is also the Government of National Accord (GNA), which is the internationally recognized government in Tripoli.



As per the quote from the article:

The fighting has led to fears of an escalation of violence in Libya’s impoverished south, where the LNA has been trying to expand its influence and has clashed with groups aligned with the internationally recognized government in the capital, Tripoli.

Al Jazeera has more about this area of Libya. As a quote:

One of the groups that are active in this region is a Chadian rebel group called the Front for Alternation and Concord in Chad (FACT), which is believed to be fighting alongside local groups opposed to Khalifa Haftar. But Haftar has also relied on the support of foreign armed groups in the Fezzan region. For example, fighters from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a Sudanese opposition group, are believed to be fighting alongside forces loyal to Haftar in this region.

Essentially, you have rebel forces from Chad and Sudan that are fighting against each other in Libya. Since both sides are supporting opposition Libyan forces, you have to wonder what they hope to get out of this. Why would they fight in another country if it wasn't go gain leverage of some sort. It should also be noted how deep these foreign forces are within Libya.

It should be noted that the Libya Herald has a different take on loyalties versus Reuters and Al Jazeera. Per that article:

The Faiez Serraj-led Presidency Council (PC) finally broke its silence yesterday, accusing “mercenaries” and “foreigners” of attacking the government-backed Sixth Brigade, which is largely comprised of Awlad Suleiman.

The Presidency Council is the GNA.

I'm thinking there are at least three forces aligned against each other, all fighting in a city of 130,000.

A. From what I can tell, the LNA is involved in the fighting around Sabha. They are being supported by a Sudanese opposition group.

B. The Sixth Division may be loyal to either the LNA (Reuters/Al Jazeera) or the GNA (Libya Herald).

C. Chad forces are supporting the Tebu ethnic group. Since the Presidency Council/GNA wants foreign forces out of the area, I'm guessing that the Tebu ethnic group is not aligned with either the LNA or the GNA.

Essentially, this part of Libya, like other parts of Libya, is in a state of confusion and violence.