Rival Libyan military leaders set to collaborate for first time
Rival military leaders from east and west Libya are preparing for joint military exercises sponsored by the United States, according to Asharq Al-Awsat on October 16th.
The drills will mark the first formal military collaboration between the rival factions in Libya since Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime was toppled in 2011. The initiative seeks to reunify a national military institution that has been fragmented for over 10 years.
According to a statement released by the US embassy in Libya, US Africa Command Deputy Lieutenant General John Brennan announced in Sirte that security forces from all regions of the country, alongside some from Italy and other partners, will participate in what has been dubbed ‘Flintlock 2026.’
Flintlock 2026 will be US Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) first annual special forces exercise. Speaking about the initiative, Brennan said that “we are honoured that a spoke of this important event will take place in Sirte, Libya, a city that has previously witnessed strong US-Libya security collaboration in countering terrorism.”
While the initiative is ostensibly driven by security concerns, some analysts argue that the US is using it to heighten its regional military presence and activity to counter steadily growing Russian influence in Libya and the Sahel.
Libyan security expert Najy Bouseif holds such a view, explaining that “Sirte lies opposite NATO’s southern flank and near Russian activity in the central desert. Turning it into a training hub signals a subtly US return to the field”, according to The New Arab plus agencies on October 16th.
Unsurprisingly, Brennan did not allude to any underlying strategic incentives whilst outlining the purpose of the initiative.
Instead, he described it as part of a wider effort to strengthen “regional stability, peace, and prosperity.” He then went on to thank security forces from both east and west Libya, alongside the Italian government for its role in setting up the joint operation.
Italy has recently collaborated extensively with Libya’s Tripoli-based internationally recognised Government of National Unity (GNU) to tackle increasing irregular migration through the North African country.
In September, the GNU met with Italian officials to bolster military ties in an effort to stabilise the region. It would be safe to assume that a secondary function of such a move is to establish a robust deterrence against migrant smuggling, which often has Italy as the optimal destination due to its close proximity.
An EU-backed anti-migration pact has been in place between the two governments since 2017. However it has come under recent scrutiny amid allegations that the Libyan coastguard habitually fires upon charity vessels and that EU-funded detention centres are run by human traffickers, according to France24 via AFP on October 3rd.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Maghrebi.org, The New Arab plus agencies, France24 via AFP
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