The escalating tensions in Libya, led by General Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA), are causing global concern. This unfolds as they launch an offensive on the capital, Tripoli. The LNA already occupies a significant portion of eastern Libya, including several oilfields. Allegedly backed by countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, some West Asian nations, Russia, and France, General Haftar’s influence threatens to deteriorate the already fragile state of the North African nation.
Origins of the Current Conflict
The initial seeds of discord were sown on February 15, 2011, when anti-government protests spiraled into a full-fledged civil war. These were between opposing forces, one led by Muammar Gaddafi loyalists, and the other by rebels seeking to overthrow the regime. Capturing the capital city, Tripoli, and toppling Gaddafi’s government was made possible due to military intervention from western powers. Subsequently, an internationally recognized, UN-backed government, known as the Government of National Accord (GNA), was established.
However, Libya today is a nation without a single unified government. The LNA supports the Tobruk-based parliament and controls the East of Libya, while the GNA governs the western regions from Tripoli. Unfortunate as it may be, the UN-backed GNA failed to stabilize Libya, with the West Libyan areas under its control being riddled with inter-militia wars and kidnappings. Moreover, the GNA commands no security forces, public administration is nearly nonexistent, and shortages of water, petrol, and power are rampant. The functioning of banks too becomes challenging in such circumstances.
International Response to the Crisis
The GNA has reached out to the UN Security Council, asking for help to protect Tripoli. The United Nations subsequently issued a call for a temporary ceasefire to enable evacuation of the wounded. Many European countries, along with the US, have asked the warring factions to cease hostilities and de-escalate tension. The US evacuated its troops stationed in Tripoli, while India not only evacuated its peacekeeping forces, comprised of 15 CRPF personnel, from Tripoli but also issued a warning to its citizens to exercise extreme caution.
Key Facts About Libya
| Capital | Tripoli |
|---|---|
| Population | 6.4 million |
| Area | 1.77 million sq km (685,524 sq miles) |
| Major Language | Arabic |
| Major Religion | Islam |
| Currency | Libyan dinar |
Potential Impact of the Civil War
The ongoing civil war in Libya could trigger a new migrant crisis from Africa to Europe. As one of the world’s largest oil producers and home to the most significant oil reserve in Africa, any instability in Libya could cause global oil prices to skyrocket. This could have a direct impact on countries like India and others that rely heavily on oil imports.
