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IS takes advantage of discord among Libyan military powers

Xinhua, May 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

Libyan observers feared on Friday that the Islamic State might benefit from the current discord among the Libyan military powers regarding the fight to restore the IS-dominated Sirte.

Armed rival parties announced this week the start of the battle of Sirte against the IS, with the UN-backed unity government objecting to the competition to lead the internationally-supported battle.

A few days ago, the parliament's army announced in a statement that it is ready to launch a military campaign to free Sirte from the IS. "The Supreme Commander of the Army, Major General Khalifa Haftar, has put a plan to free Sirte and he is following up the implementation of the plan."

On the other hand, forces loyal to Libya Dawn militias announced the start of the "battle to free Sirte from the IS by launching airstrikes on sites of the organization in the city and its outskirts."

The unity government warned, in a statement last week, against the "competition to initiate the battle against the IS in Sirte."

"As the supreme commander of the army, any party that violates the commands of the Presidential Council of the Government of the National Accord will be punished," the statement said.

The government explained that "the battle of Sirte could become a confrontation between these military forces that might lead to a civil war, which the IS will benefit from the most."

Agila Saleh, speaker of the parliament, issued a statement condemning the unity government's Presidential Council for "claiming the position of the supreme commander of the army."

No'man Al-Bori, a Libyan professor of political science, told Xinhua that the unity government's fears are legitimate. "There are two rival military forces in one place which can be very dangerous."

It is very likely that they will end up fighting each other instead of IS, Al-Bori explained.

"Any division among the military forces will benefit the IS. The terrorist organization will attempt to increase division in any way possible between the rival forces that plan to enter the Sirte battle," he added.

Naji Al-Fitori, a Libyan writer, told Xinhua that the reason the different military forces in Libya announced a war on IS in Sirte is "the desire to lead the battle that will be supported by the international community logistically and politically."

Al-Fitori said that the international community, during the Libyan political negotiations between the rivals factions, promised to provide full support to fight the IS. "Whoever fights the IS will have the control over the international support."

IS took over the city of Sirte, some 450 east of the capital Tripoli, almost a year ago. The city is an important location for the IS after the loss in Darna and Benghazi in eastern Libya. Endit