Libya labelled too dangerous for citizens to visit by the U.S

The U.S State Department on July 16th issued the highest-level travel advisory for Libya, which warns all American citizens away from travelling to the nation and urges any Americans currently there to leave as soon as possible, according to Libya Review.

The State Department cited “crime, terrorism, unexploded landmines, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict” as reasons for this advice, and highlights the increasing risk of terrorist attacks in public spaces, which include government facilities.

U.S President Donald Trump has already enacted a travel ban preventing all Libyan people from entering the U.S from June 9th, arguing risks to national security.

Libya has faced widespread violent conflict since 2011, when a NATO-led operation overthrew and led to the killing of Muammar Gaddafi, splitting the nation into two rival governments with armed militias battling for the upper hand.

Clashes between the armed militias break out frequently and without warning, making the capital city of Tripoli an unpredictable environment, with the violence affecting the day-to-day life of residents. The U.S State Department stated in the advisory that attacks could arise “with little or no warning,” according to Libya Review.

In early May, fighting broke out in residential areas of the capital between two armed groups after the commander of one was killed, and more recently on July 6th the government made a demand of the Special Deterrence Force which triggered serious threats of war between the group and the government.

The new advisory also stresses the threat of kidnapping, suggesting that U.S citizens could be targeted for either ransom money or political leverage.

Kidnapping is far from an uncommon occurrence in Libya, and is not an unfounded fear for U.S citizens.

On July 14th the Attorney General announced that authorities had freed 104 migrants who were kidnapped by a human trafficking network and held for ransom payments.

Human rights organizations have called for investigations into the kidnapping of an activist on June 30th, which drew attention to the issue of anyone from regular civilians to humanitarian workers being at risk of kidnapping.

The U.S government warned its citizens that due to limited diplomatic operations in Libya, the government is not able to provide effective support for those in the country.

Foreign countries who do have stronger diplomatic ties with Libya even struggle to keep their citizens and representatives safe.

On June 26th a UK diplomatic convoy was attacked in Tripoli, with gunmen opening fire on their vehicles.

If more countries take similar steps to distance themselves from Libya, it will be difficult for the nation to make progress towards elections and political stability. Libya needs as many allies as it can get.

Libya Review/Maghrebi