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Libyens eingefrorener Krieg infographic
Grafik zeigt den jüngsten Situationsbericht zum libyschen Bürgerkrieg.
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MILITARY

Libyens Bürgerkrieg ist seit sechs Jahren eingefroren

By Duncan Mil

July 7, 2020 - Nach sechs Jahen Bürgerkrieg ist Sirte -- strategisches Tor Libyens zu den großen Ölvorkommen -- das letzte Bollwerk zwischen der Zone unter türkischem Einfluss im Westen und der russisch beeinflussten Region im Osten.

Sirte is a crucial theatre of conflict because Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) militias control the area to the immediate east. In contrast, the Tripoli-based, internationally-backed, Government of National Accord (GNA) controls the region to the immediate west.

The LNA’s 14-month offensive to take control of the capital, Tripoli, backed by Russia, Egypt, France and the United Arab Emirates, collapsed in early June.

Since May, Turkey-backed GNA has achieved significant military success against Haftar’s LNA. On May 18, the GNA seized control of the Al-Watiya airbase, and on June 6 the GNA launched an offensive to take Sirte.

In response on June 20, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi warned the GNA to stop their advances towards Sirte and Jufrah airbase describing Sirte as a “red line” that if crossed, would prompt a “direct intervention” by Egyptian armed forces.

Five days later, Russian mercenaries from the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group entered Sharara oil field in an attempt to block production -- the area can produce one-third of Libya’s crude output.

On July 3, during a two-day visit to Tripoli, Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj discussed Turkish use of two military bases in Libya -- Misrata naval base and the al-Watiya airbase. On June 5, warplanes bombed al-Watiya airbase. The jets, identified as French-made Rafales, suggests the identity of the attacking power was France or Egypt -- the only countries within the range of the base that possess this type of aircraft.

As of now, no final solution to the Libyan crisis looks possible.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 07/07/2020; STORY: Graphic News
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