2nd Libyan Civil War

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Isgrimnur
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2nd Libyan Civil War

Post by Isgrimnur »

It's been going on for a while, apparently.

The Guardian
Residents of Tripoli have spoken of their fear and confusion as clashes between UN-backed government forces and troops loyal to the Benghazi strongman Khalifa Haftar continue in its southern suburbs.
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The escalation in violence on Monday came as the Tripoli based government announced on Sunday it was launching a counter-offensive against Haftar’s advance that it had named Operation Volcano of Anger.
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With the death toll from days of fighting reaching into several dozens, international organisations continued to evacuate non-essential staff, following the lead of the US which withdrew some of its troops over the weekend.
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One of the most severely affected locations appears to be the frontline town of Gharyan to the south of Tripoli, which Haftar’s forces seized last week, where residents have reported shortages of food and petrol.

The stress of the fighting is compounded by an already crumbling infrastructure. Since civil war broke out in 2014 Tripoli has been divided into a patchwork of militia fiefdoms, these militias fighting periodic street battles every few months. Well before Haftar’s forces launched their offensive, the city was replete with militia checkpoints and earth berms, with kidnappings and shootings common.
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The UN-backed government has no security forces of its own, and with much of the public administration in chaos, water, petrol and power shortages have been common for the past four years. Long lines regularly form outside the few banks still operating after a banknote shortage stretching back more than a year.
It's almost as if people are the problem.
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Isgrimnur
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Re: 2nd Libyan Civil War

Post by Isgrimnur »

War is Boring
The U.S. military has withdrawn its troops from Libya as a local military commander’s forces advanced on the capital for a showdown with militias holding the city.

“Due to increased unrest in Libya, a contingent of U.S. forces supporting U.S. Africa Command temporarily relocated in response to security conditions on the ground,” AFRICOM said in a statement.

The command did not elaborate on the size of the troop contingent or where they were moved to.
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AFRICOM, which led a 2016 bombardment campaign to dislodge Islamic State elements in the country, has maintained a special operations mission inside Libya that assists the government in counterterrorism efforts.
It's almost as if people are the problem.
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Max Peck
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Re: 2nd Libyan Civil War

Post by Max Peck »

Trump Endorses an Aspiring Libyan Strongman, Reversing Policy
President Trump on Friday abruptly reversed American policy toward Libya, issuing a statement publicly endorsing an aspiring strongman in his battle to depose the United Nations-backed government.

The would-be strongman, Khalifa Hifter, launched a surprise attack on the Libyan capital, Tripoli, more than two weeks ago. Relief agencies said Thursday that more than 200 people had been killed in the battle, and in recent days Mr. Hifter’s forces have started shelling civilian neighborhoods.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement a few days after Mr. Hifter’s militia began its attack that “the administration at the highest levels” had made clear that “we oppose the military offensive” and “urge the immediate halt to these military operations.” Most Western governments and the United Nations have also condemned the attack and demanded a retreat.

Mr. Trump, however, told Mr. Hifter almost the opposite, the White House said Friday.
Gosh, who could have guessed that this would happen... :coffee:

One wonders if Trump endorsed him because:
  1. he thinks he's going to win, and prefers to be on the winning side;
  2. he just can't say no to a good strongman;
  3. he misread "Hifter" as "Hitler"; or
  4. all of the above.
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Holman
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Re: 2nd Libyan Civil War

Post by Holman »

e. it shits on the United Nations.
Much prefer my Nazis Nuremberged.
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em2nought
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Re: 2nd Libyan Civil War

Post by em2nought »

Holman wrote: Sat Apr 20, 2019 3:14 pm e. it shits on the United Nations.
Well, that's always a plus.

We should have learned by this time that for our purposes in the middle east strongmen are preferable to zealots. :wink:
Technically, he shouldn't be here.
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Unagi
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Re: 2nd Libyan Civil War

Post by Unagi »

Analysts said Mr. Trump’s endorsement would embolden Mr. Hifter and hamper United Nations efforts to call for a cease-fire. It could also increase the likelihood that his regional sponsors like Egypt or the United Arab Emirates might intervene on his behalf, as each has in the past in Libya.
Oh, I see - I was wondering what even made Trump give a shit.
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