Libya faces a precarious future after a Central Bank takeover and an oil blockade, igniting fears of potential conflict and further economic collapse. With key stakeholders divided, this article examines what happened and what's next for Libya.
Belgasim Haftar's rise as Director General of Libya's Development and Reconstruction Fund positions him as a key player in Libya's reconstruction efforts and marks a shift in political dynamics, with important implications for infrastructure projects across the country.
The recent Cairo meeting between Libya's HoR and HCS has sparked renewed hope for a unified government, gaining support from various stakeholders. As Misrata pushes for political reconciliation, the UN emphasizes an inclusive electoral process, while distrust remains towards the current leadership.
Violent clashes involving light and medium weaponry have become a staple in the western coastal city of Zawiya, most of the time in densely populated neighborhoods. The presence of organised crime looms large, with rampant instances of assassinations, kidnappings, and torture.
The situation in Zawiya continues to deteriorate as political and security authorities in western Libya turn a blind eye to the city’s distress.
Last year, civil disobedience erupted as residents demanded the removal of armed groups and smuggling gangs, and accountability from the municipal council and joint security forces. This unrest spurred the Government of National Unity (GNU) into action, leading Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbaiba to initiate a military operation that included the deployment of combat drones.
According to the UN Independent Experts Committee report, covering April 2020 to July 2023, the airstrikes predominantly targeted forces opposing the GNU in Zawiya. Key targets included sites linked to Mohammed Kashlaf, a local leader of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) who is believed to be involved in fuel smuggling, and Hassan Bouzriba’s Stability Support Authority.
In contrast, locations linked with Mohammed Bahron, also known as “Al-Far” (or “the Mouse”), a GNU ally in Zawiya, were notably spared. Although the civil disobedience subsided after the military intervention, the fundamental issues that sparked it remain unresolved.
Zawiya, located 45 kilometers west of Tripoli, has become a nexus for criminal networks involved in a range of illicit activities along Libya's northwestern coast. These networks thrive with the backing of armed groups, which have been legitimized by successive transitional governments in Libya.
Libya faces a precarious future after a Central Bank takeover and an oil blockade, igniting fears of potential conflict and further economic collapse. With key stakeholders divided, this article examines what happened and what's next for Libya.
Belgasim Haftar's rise as Director General of Libya's Development and Reconstruction Fund positions him as a key player in Libya's reconstruction efforts and marks a shift in political dynamics, with important implications for infrastructure projects across the country.
The recent Cairo meeting between Libya's HoR and HCS has sparked renewed hope for a unified government, gaining support from various stakeholders. As Misrata pushes for political reconciliation, the UN emphasizes an inclusive electoral process, while distrust remains towards the current leadership.
Western Libya's security crisis continues to deepen with escalating clashes, targeted killings, and government indifference. Zawiya faces chaos as officials admit lack of control, while violence in Tripoli and border tensions with Tunisia threaten overall stability.
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