It is now called the “Western Offensive (2019) or “Flood of Dignity Operation” by General Haftar. The UN reports states:
Libya: Heavy shelling and civilian deaths ‘blatant violation’ of international law – UN envoy
I know this is not headline news. I could be commenting on the Mueller report or the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire.
The target is the Mitiga airport, in Tripoli, Libya, which is the only functioning international airport in Libya. Haftar doesn’t care about the UN resolution with an arms embargo to Libya. From the UN report:
The use of indiscriminate, explosive weapons in civilian areas constitutes a war crime,” Mr. Salame, who also heads the UN Support Mission (UNSMIL), said in a statement. He extended “with great sadness”, his “deepest condolences” to the victim’s families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. His statement pointed out that as of yesterday, there have been 54 confirmed civilian casualties, including 14 dead and 40 wounded, four of whom were health workers.“Liability for such actions lies not only with the individuals who committed the indiscriminate attacks, but also potentially with those who ordered them”, stressed the Special Representative.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Russia are backing General Haftar. There is no question these are authoritarian regimes. Haftar buys the support of local militias with money from the UAE and Saudi’s. There will be continual civil war, if he comes to power.
France is a bit more complicated. See Politico link:
France ostensibly supports the U.N.-mediated peace process, led by former Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salamé, a veteran Paris-based political scientist. It has never officially acknowledged providing weaponry, training, intelligence and special forces assistance to Haftar. The death of three undercover French soldiers in a helicopter accident in Libya in 2016 provided a rare recognition of its secret presence in operations against Islamist fighters at the time.
Since the fall of Gaddafi, the US has strongly supported efforts by the UN to bring together all sides in an unified government. By all accounts, the US is now, more than ever, is backing autocratic government. It is an enormous step backwards. Trump embraces autocrats much more than democratically elected leaders. Haftar promises stability in Libya and control of radical Islamists. This is the same thing as Qaddafi. Only problem is most the stability comes by suppressing their own people.
I think the Financial Times really got it right (see link below).
Stay tuned,
Dave
Links:
Politico, France’s double game in Libya
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