Libya: Drone Wars and an Underground Peace Movement

Just to provide some a high level view of the current situation in Libya. Libya is basically divided into two main factions: in the east you have the Libyan National Army (LNA), which is ruled by Khalifa Haftar. To the west, in Tripoli, you have the U.N. backed government, known as the Government of National Accord (GNA).

With that:

It looks like both the LNA and GNA are using drones. The LNA is using their drones to attack their enemies while it is unclear exactly what the GNA is using their drones for. I came across two articles that discussed the LNA use of drones. Interestingly, I think there is a bit of plagiarism by the Express UK journalist. Here's what I mean:

Express UK:

In its statement, the LNA said the strike had targeted “Chadian opposition fighters” which is typically used to refer to Tebu tribesmen opposing them in the area. Khalifa Haftar’s organisation is allied to a parallel government based in eastern Libya. The LNA said it would begin heavy air strikes after “traditional means” of war had been exhausted.



Reuters:

The LNA said in a statement its strike had targeted “Chadian opposition fighters,” a phrase that usually refers to Tebu tribesmen opposing them in the area.Haftar’s LNA, allied to a parallel government based in eastern Libya, has seen its advance on Tripoli held up by robust defenses on the outskirts of the capital, and said it would start heavy air strikes after “traditional means” of war had been exhausted. 

Wow, kind of interesting.

Anyways, per the article, the LNA has carried out two recent attacks via drone strikes. There is the attack in Southern Libya where both articles report that 43 people have died. This strike indicates that after Haftar's forces took control of the south and then moved their focus to Tripoli, that the Chad rebel forces came back to claim at least some control over the south. There was also a strike that hit a detention center in Tripoli.

What this also indicates to me is that Haftar is stretched and is having to fight a two front battle. He's on the offense against Tripoli and playing defense in the south.

The Jerusalem Post states that three Israeli made drones were given to the GNA via Turkey. Two of those drones have since been shot down by the LNA. Since no mention is made of drone strikes, I would assume that these drones were used more for surveillance purposes. Or it is possible that The Jerusalem Post just doesn't want to state that Israeli drones were used for drone strikes.

The Independent has an interesting article up about a group that is attempting to bring peace to Libya. (One side note is that the article mentions that Haftar's attack on Tripoli has cost the lives of 1,100 individuals.)

They oppose both Haftar’s militaristic vision and the Islamist-leaning armed groups he is fighting. “We reject the rule of militias in our capital, Tripoli,” Sharksi says. “And we are also opposing the attempt by Haftar to impose a military state. We are a third voice.” They include lawyers, labourers, students, and engineers. They hold quiet meetings with each other and try to spread the word, occasionally appearing on one of Libya’s satellite television channels.

One thing here is that Haftar's argument that the GNA is supported by "Islamist-leaning armed groups" is repeated by those seeking peace. But though the GNA is supported by Islamist, the article also points out the following about the LNA:

Some were from random trolls. But others came from Facebook accounts with postings and religious sentiments suggesting they were tied to the Saudi-influenced armed extremist militias partnered with Haftar. 

It would seem that both sides are willing to take support from extremist.