Libyan National Army Launches Operation to Secure Southern Border
The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Khalifa Haftar, has initiated a military operation to secure the country’s southern border. The move comes in response to renewed fighting near the area between the government of Chad and a rebel group known as the Chadian Front for Change and Concord (FACT).
Chad’s President, Mahamat Idriss Deby, announced on Sunday that the army was once again engaged in combat with the FACT group, which had broken a ceasefire agreement the previous week. The rebel group, based in Libya, had previously fought alongside the LNA during Libya’s civil war. However, they found themselves on opposing sides when Deby’s father was killed two years ago.
Ahmad Mismari, spokesperson for the LNA, stated that the operation would involve both land and air forces. Photographs distributed by an LNA media unit showed Saddam Haftar, son of Khalifa Haftar, overseeing the operation alongside other LNA officers. The media unit also reported that the LNA had expelled members of the Chadian opposition and their families from a residential area they were using in a desert town located 300 km north of the Chad-Libya border.
The security situation in Libya has been unstable since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that toppled Muammar Qaddafi. The country’s southern desert border has become a major transit route for trafficking networks, exacerbating the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining peace and security.
Capture of Daesh Leader Involved in Attacks on Tripoli
In a separate development, the Prime Minister of Libya announced that a leader of the terrorist organization Daesh had been captured. This individual is alleged to have planned and sponsored three deadly attacks in the capital city of Tripoli in 2018.
During a live television broadcast, Prime Minister Dbeibah stated, “Our forces apprehended on Tuesday a leader of the terrorist organization Daesh, involved in the planning and command of terrorist acts that targeted the institutions of our country and their fallen officials.” The government’s media office did not provide further details regarding the identity or nationality of the captured jihadist, but confirmed that the arrest was made during a joint military operation.
Dbeibah also reiterated his government’s commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms, prosecute those involved in terrorist acts, and strengthen stability throughout the country.
The attacks carried out by Daesh in Tripoli in 2018 resulted in significant loss of life and damage to key institutions. On May 2, a suicide attack on the headquarters of the Libyan High Electoral Commission claimed the lives of 14 people. Later, on September 10, a suicide attack targeted the headquarters of the Libyan National Oil Company, killing two and injuring 10 staff members. Finally, on December 25, an attack on the Foreign Ministry claimed the lives of three individuals, including a Libyan diplomat.
These recent developments highlight the ongoing security challenges faced by Libya and the importance of concerted efforts to combat terrorism and establish stability throughout the country. The capture of a Daesh leader involved in planning and sponsoring attacks is a significant achievement for the Libyan government and its security forces.
As the LNA launches its operation to secure the southern border and combat trafficking networks, it is hoped that peace and security can be restored to this troubled region. The international community must continue to support Libya in its efforts to combat terrorism and establish a stable and prosperous future for its people.