Libya

Since the overthrow and killing of Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has been gripped by a military conflict. Libya is now divided between two governments, with the eastern part controlled by the The Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and the western part governed by the UN-backed Government of National Accord.

In April, the LNA began the offensive to fight against private militias and extremist groups loyal to the GNA’s Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. The army has already recaptured a number of settlements near the capital and Tripoli International Airport, located around 20 miles away from the city. The forces loyal to the GNA announced a counteroffensive, dubbed Volcano of Rage.

The situation is also complicated by Daesh attacks. Thus, the terrorist organization took responsibility for attacks in Derna and Sabha cities.

Foreign countries also engage in the conflict. The information about arms supply to the warring parties is regularly covered by world media. According to mass media, Turkey and Qatar supply weapons to GNA forces; France, UAE, Jordan and Egypt equip the LNA. Furthermore, both parties of the armed conflict try to enlist the support of world powers.

Today Libya is far from conflict resolution. But the warring parties must realize that no war in recent history has been decided on the battlefield and the warring parties ultimately sit on the negotiations table to settle the differences.