Egyptian intervention in Libya (2015–2020)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2022) |
| Egyptian intervention in Libya (2015–2020) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Libyan civil war (2014–2020) and the War against the Islamic State | ||||||||
 The situation in June 2020 | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Belligerents | ||||||||
|
 France[7] |
 ISIL[8] |
 Qatar[9] | ||||||
| Units involved | ||||||||
|
Military of ISIL |
| ||||||
Egyptian intervention in Libya has been substantial since the outbreak of the Libyan civil war. It began after the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) released a video on 12 February 2015 of the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians (20 of which were Egyptian). In response, Egypt launched airstrikes on 16 February. Following this incident, the country became increasingly involved in Libya’s internal affairs.
Timeline
[edit]2015
[edit]On 12 February, ISIL released a video of the beheading of Coptic Christians, all of whom were Egyptian nationals. On 16 February, Egyptian F-16s struck weapons caches and training camps belonging to ISIL in Libya. The airstrikes killed 64 ISIL fighters, including three leaders in Derna and Sirte.[15] A further 55 militants were captured in ground assaults.[16] Seven civilians were also killed in the strikes.[17]
2018
[edit]In May, June, and September, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates conducted multiple airstrikes in Derna targeting ISIL.[18][19] The Libyan Express, however, released a video alleging that Egyptian soldiers were present on the front lines alongside the Libyan National Army (LNA).[20]
2019
[edit]On 5 April, Egypt expressed deep concern over renewed fighting in Tripoli and urged all parties to avoid escalation. It also reaffirmed its commitment to UN-led efforts to find a political solution to the Libyan Crisis, stressing that a political settlement was the only viable option.[21] On 9 April, however, Egypt voiced support for the LNA and its efforts to dismantle remaining militias, while also warning against foreign intervention in the conflict.[22]
On 14 April, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with LNA Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Cairo, where he declared his support for the LNA’s counterterrorism operations.[23] He stated that such efforts, along with improved stability, would pave the way for reconstruction in several areas of Libya.[24]
2020
[edit]On 5 July, Egyptian warplanes struck a site allegedly being developed by Turkey as a military base.[25]
On 19 July, President el-Sisi publicly threatened to deploy Egyptian troops if the Government of National Accord (GNA) captured Sirte, remarks that the GNA interpreted as a declaration of war.[26] The following day, Egypt deployed an undisclosed number of troops into Libya. Many analysts attributed this escalation to the Turkish military intervention in Libya earlier in the year.
References
[edit]- ^ "UAE and Egypt behind bombing raids against Libyan militias, say US officials". The Guardian. 26 August 2015.
- ^ "Libya migrant attack: UN investigators suspect foreign jet bombed centre". BBC News. 6 November 2019.
- ^ "UAE drone strike on factory near Tripoli killed 8 civilians: HRW". Al Jazeera. 29 April 2020.
- ^ "UAE implicated in lethal drone strike in Libya". BBC News. 27 August 2020.
- ^ "Chad to send 1,500 troops to Libya in support of Marshal Haftar". Atalayar. 12 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Egypt announces international anti-Turkey alliance". al-monitor.com. 31 May 2020.
- ^ "France's Macron slams Turkey's 'criminal' role in Libya". Al Jazeera. 30 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Egypt 'bombs IS in Libya' after beheadings video". BBC News. 16 February 2015. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ "Abdulrahman Sewehli thanks Qatari Emir for his support". 13 March 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Ceasefire in Libya". U.S. Embassy in Egypt. 26 October 2020.
- ^ Mostafa, Mahmoud (16 February 2015). "Airstrikes hit 3 coastal Libyan cities". Daily News Egypt. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
- ^ Nader, Aya (16 February 2015). "Egypt strikes Islamic State in Libya". Daily News Egypt. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
- ^ "UN-backed Libyan forces oust renegade general from Tripoli". the Guardian. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
- ^ Egypt's Sisi wins parliamentary approval for possible Libya intervention Reuters
- ^ Chris Stephen (17 February 2015). "Egyptian air strikes in Libya kill dozens of Isis militants". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Libya: Egyptian troops launch ground attack in Isis-held Derna 'capturing 55 militants'". International Business Times UK. 18 February 2015. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ^ "Seven killed in Egyptian air strikes on Libyan city: Amnesty". Reuters. 23 February 2015. Archived from the original on 17 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "UAE drone air attacks Derna in east Libya". alnabaa.tv. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- ^ "Egyptian warplanes conduct airstrikes on Libya's Derna". Libyan Express - Libya News, Opinion, Analysis and Latest Updates from Libya. 27 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
- ^ "Video: Egyptian soldiers fighting in Derna alongside Haftar's armed groups".
- ^ "Egypt voices deep concern over new developments in Libya – Politics – Egypt – Ahram Online". english.ahram.org.eg.
- ^ "'Egypt committed to supporting Libyan national army in battle against armed militias,' parliament speaker – Politics – Egypt – Ahram Online". english.ahram.org.eg. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
- ^ "Libya crisis timeline: The battle for Tripoli, Sirte, and oil from November to today". 13 July 2020.
- ^ "Sisi stressed Egypt's support for counterterrorism efforts in Libya". Egypt Independent. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ "Jets hit Libya's al-Watiya airbase where Turkey may build base, sources say". Reuters. 5 July 2020 – via www.reuters.com.
- ^ Libya's GNA call Egypt's military threat as a 'declaration of war' Al-Jazeera