Egyptian intervention in Libya (2015–2020)

Egyptian intervention in Libya (2015–2020)
Part of Libyan civil war (2014–2020) and the War against the Islamic State
The situation in June 2020
Date 12 February 2015-26 October 2020^[10] Location Libya, with spillovers in Egypt Result Ceasefire;^[10] ISIL ground targets destroyed by the Egyptian Air Force^[11]^[12] Khalifa Haftars failed attempt at capturing Tripoli^[13]
Belligerents
Egypt  United Arab Emirates^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]  Chad^[5] In Support of: Tobruk Government Supported by:  Greece^[6]  France^[7]	ISIL^[8]	Government of National Accord  Turkey^[6] Supported by:  Qatar^[9]
Units involved
Egyptian Armed Forces  Egyptian Army (from 20 July 2020)^[14]  Egyptian Air Force^[8]  Egyptian Navy United Arab Emirates Armed Forces  United Arab Emirates Air Force Chad National Army  Chadian Ground Forces	Military of ISIL	Libyan Ground Forces (GNA-aligned) Turkish Armed Forces  Turkish Land Forces  Turkish Air Force  Turkish Navy Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army

The Egyptian intervention in Libya has been substantial since the beginning of the civil war. The intervention started after ISIL released a video of the beheading of 21 Egyptians on 12 February 2015. In response, Egypt launched airstrikes on 16 February of the same year. After that incident, Egypt became increasingly involved with Libya's internal politics.

Timeline

2015

On 12 February 2015, ISIL released a video it of the group beheading Coptic Christians, all of which were Egyptians. Egypt, along with the Tobruk Government, launched airstrikes on 15 and 16 February, in Eastern Libya in response to the beheadings. Later on that year, on 19 July, at least 21 Egyptian troops were killed near the Libyan border by an Islamist group.^[15]

2018

Egypt and the UAE carried out multiple airstrikes in Derna in May, June, and September against ISIL.^[16][17] However, the Libyan Express released a video alleging that Egyptian soldiers were at the front line alongside the LNA.^[18]

2019

On 5 April, Egypt expressed its deep concern over a campaign in Tripoli and urged all sides to avoid escalation. Egypt also announced its commitment to UN efforts to find a political solution to the Libyan Crisis adding that a political solution is the only option.^[19] On 9 April, Egypt expressed support for the Libyan National Army and its push to dismantle all remaining militias, and also cautioned against foreign intervention in the conflict.^[20] On 14 April, President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, met with LNA Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Cairo^[21] and announced his support for the LNA's counterterrorism efforts, stating that "the fight toward terrorism"..."allows the establishment of a stable and sovereign civil state, and will start the reconstruction of Libya in various fields."^[22]

2020

On July 5, Egyptian warplanes hit a place where it was alleged that Turkey was building a military base.^[23]

On July 19, The Egyptian President made public threats to the GNA that Egypt would deploy troops if Sirte were to be captured, which was viewed by the GNA as a declaration of war.^[24] The next day, Egypt deployed an undisclosed number of troops into Libya. Many politicians and news sources say due to Turkish military intervention in Libya from earlier in 2020.

References

1. "UAE and Egypt behind bombing raids against Libyan militias, say US officials". The Guardian. 26 August 2015.
2. "Libya migrant attack: UN investigators suspect foreign jet bombed centre". BBC News. 6 November 2019.
3. "UAE drone strike on factory near Tripoli killed 8 civilians: HRW". Al Jazeera. 29 April 2020.
4. "UAE implicated in lethal drone strike in Libya". BBC News. 27 August 2020.
5. "Chad to send 1,500 troops to Libya in support of Marshal Haftar". Atalayar. 12 June 2020.
6. "Egypt announces international anti-Turkey alliance". al-monitor.com. 31 May 2020.
7. "France's Macron slams Turkey's 'criminal' role in Libya". Al Jazeera. 30 June 2020.
8. "Egypt 'bombs IS in Libya' after beheadings video". BBC News. 16 February 2015. from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
9. "Abdulrahman Sewehli thanks Qatari Emir for his support". 13 March 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
10. "Ceasefire in Libya". U.S. Embassy in Egypt. 26 October 2020.
11. Mostafa, Mahmoud (16 February 2015). "Airstrikes hit 3 coastal Libyan cities". Daily News Egypt. from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
12. Nader, Aya (16 February 2015). "Egypt strikes Islamic State in Libya". Daily News Egypt. from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
13. "UN-backed Libyan forces oust renegade general from Tripoli". the Guardian. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
14. Egypt's Sisi wins parliamentary approval for possible Libya intervention Reuters
15. Fitzgerald, Dylan (June 9, 2023). "Understanding Egypt's Strategy in Libya". Arab Center Washington DC.
16. . alnabaa.tv. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
17. "Egyptian warplanes conduct airstrikes on Libya's Derna". Libyan Express - Libya News, Opinion, Analysis and Latest Updates from Libya. 27 May 2017. from the original on 2018-12-28. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
18. "Video: Egyptian soldiers fighting in Derna alongside Haftar's armed groups".
19. "Egypt voices deep concern over new developments in Libya – Politics – Egypt – Ahram Online". english.ahram.org.eg.
20. "'Egypt committed to supporting Libyan national army in battle against armed militias,' parliament speaker – Politics – Egypt – Ahram Online". english.ahram.org.eg. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
21. "Libya crisis timeline: The battle for Tripoli, Sirte, and oil from November to today". 13 July 2020.
22. "Sisi stressed Egypt's support for counterterrorism efforts in Libya". Egypt Independent. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
23. "Jets hit Libya's al-Watiya airbase where Turkey may build base, sources say". Reuters. July 5, 2020 – via www.reuters.com.
24. Libya's GNA call Egypt's military threat as a 'declaration of war' Al-Jazeera