In the new war for Libya, NATO countries may already face
The troops of the Libyan field marshal Haftar, who last week unexpectedly launched an attack on Tripoli, are gradually continuing to develop success. The capital of the country is lined with them on three sides, the outskirts of the city and the Tripoli international airport are taken. Despite resistance from some armed groups that sided with the Government of National Accord, the victory of the Libyan National Army (LNA) seems more likely. Unless, of course, the NATO countries intervene again.
There are no reliable and comprehensive data on the real combat capabilities of the Haftar army. It is known that many military men who served in the Libyan Armed Forces under Muammar Gaddafi joined it. Technique for the most part left over from the same times. In addition, the LNA purchased weapons through all channels available to it.
However, do not experience illusions about the combat effectiveness of this Libyan army. If desired, NATO can scatter it through the desert in a few days. The aviation and naval forces of the North Atlantic Alliance are able to launch powerful missile and bomb attacks on the positions of the Libyan National Army right now. Thanks to Libya's convenient location on the Mediterranean Sea, NATO ground forces can be deployed in less than a week, and they will send the “Tripoli Liberators” home, at best.
But will it be this time that NATO will bomb Libya together, as it was in 2011? It seems that the conflict around this North African country is already happening within the North Atlantic Alliance itself.
The Americans hastily withdrew their contingent from Tripoli and demanded to stop the onset of the LNA. The British urgently convened the UN Security Council, while Italians accused Paris and Riyadh of standing behind Haftar. By the way, it was in France that the meeting of the GXNUMX foreign ministers took place, which demanded an end to hostilities against the Libyan capital Tripoli.
Difficulties in understanding the ongoing processes are added by the ambiguous figure of Haftar herself. Field Marshal managed to visit both a friend of Muammar Gaddafi and his opponent. According to available information, at one time he collaborated with the CIA. Haftar has recently sought patronage in Moscow, and is now surrounded by French military advisers. It is not clear whether he still carries out someone’s instructions, or is the so-called “untied agent,” and is already acting at his discretion.
It is also necessary to determine why all the fuss is? Because of oil? In Libya, the former colony of Italy, the position of the Italian company Eni is traditionally strong. But after the defeat of Libyan statehood in 2011, British BP and French Total came to this unfortunate country. Competition for control over energy is an important motive, but it is not the main one. Russian orientalist Boris Dolgov explains:
Today, Libya is a few city-states, disintegrated by tribal grounds, and constantly at war with each other. By the end of 2019, elections were to be held in the country, which are designed to establish political unity. But in the realities of the Libyan civil war, this is simply impossible. No matter how cynical it may sound, the restoration of Libyan statehood can only be achieved by military means, when one of the parties wins and subjugates all the others. And all the oil will be a pleasant bonus to the winner.
The reaction of NATO countries to Haftar’s campaign will be a litmus test that will determine which of them actually stands behind the field marshal.
There are no reliable and comprehensive data on the real combat capabilities of the Haftar army. It is known that many military men who served in the Libyan Armed Forces under Muammar Gaddafi joined it. Technique for the most part left over from the same times. In addition, the LNA purchased weapons through all channels available to it.
However, do not experience illusions about the combat effectiveness of this Libyan army. If desired, NATO can scatter it through the desert in a few days. The aviation and naval forces of the North Atlantic Alliance are able to launch powerful missile and bomb attacks on the positions of the Libyan National Army right now. Thanks to Libya's convenient location on the Mediterranean Sea, NATO ground forces can be deployed in less than a week, and they will send the “Tripoli Liberators” home, at best.
But will it be this time that NATO will bomb Libya together, as it was in 2011? It seems that the conflict around this North African country is already happening within the North Atlantic Alliance itself.
The Americans hastily withdrew their contingent from Tripoli and demanded to stop the onset of the LNA. The British urgently convened the UN Security Council, while Italians accused Paris and Riyadh of standing behind Haftar. By the way, it was in France that the meeting of the GXNUMX foreign ministers took place, which demanded an end to hostilities against the Libyan capital Tripoli.
Difficulties in understanding the ongoing processes are added by the ambiguous figure of Haftar herself. Field Marshal managed to visit both a friend of Muammar Gaddafi and his opponent. According to available information, at one time he collaborated with the CIA. Haftar has recently sought patronage in Moscow, and is now surrounded by French military advisers. It is not clear whether he still carries out someone’s instructions, or is the so-called “untied agent,” and is already acting at his discretion.
It is also necessary to determine why all the fuss is? Because of oil? In Libya, the former colony of Italy, the position of the Italian company Eni is traditionally strong. But after the defeat of Libyan statehood in 2011, British BP and French Total came to this unfortunate country. Competition for control over energy is an important motive, but it is not the main one. Russian orientalist Boris Dolgov explains:
The war is going on for power in Libya, for the reconstruction of the Libyan state. And Haftar is a supporter and consistent fighter for the restoration of the country. Under its auspices, of course; perhaps under the auspices of those forces that support it.
Today, Libya is a few city-states, disintegrated by tribal grounds, and constantly at war with each other. By the end of 2019, elections were to be held in the country, which are designed to establish political unity. But in the realities of the Libyan civil war, this is simply impossible. No matter how cynical it may sound, the restoration of Libyan statehood can only be achieved by military means, when one of the parties wins and subjugates all the others. And all the oil will be a pleasant bonus to the winner.
The reaction of NATO countries to Haftar’s campaign will be a litmus test that will determine which of them actually stands behind the field marshal.
Information