Western countries need to formulate a more coherent and effective strategy to fight the Islamic State in Libya as the militants are expanding their operations in the country. The issue has acquired urgency due to Libya’s geographical proximity to Europe. If the IS is allowed to expand at the current pace and if Libya further weakens with the strengthening of militias which are ruling its large swathes, the situation could spin out of control.
Italy yesterday refused to send troops to Libya to fight the IS after a suggestion from the US ambassador in Italy that Rome could send up to 5,000 troops. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi made a statement explaining his country’s stance after two
Italian hostages freed in Libya (two fellow captives were allegedly killed by the Islamic State militants) were flown back home. “As long as I am prime minister, Italy will not go to Libya for an invasion with 5,000 men,” Renzi told Canale 5 television.
Five years after the revolution that ousted Muammar Gaddafi, Libya is deeply divided, with rival governments based in Tripoli and the east and efforts to form a national unity government failing despite intense efforts and accords. Militants loyal to Islamic State have taken advantage of a security vacuum after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi to expand their presence, establishing control over the coastal city of Sirte last year.
The government in Tripoli is trying to weaken the IS, but its efforts haven’t been successful. For example, Libyan forces based in the city of Misrata are carrying out air strikes against Islamic State militants in their stronghold of Sirte. As many as 18 people were killed in the strikes, including senior Islamic State members, according to government officials. Such airstrikes are carried out regularly, but the militants have been entrenched enough to be uprooted by such attacks.
Italy is unlikely to be interested in a military involvement in its former colony and its focus so far has been on finding a solution inside Libya. Rome is working with other Western powers and the United Nations to try to convince two rival Libyan governments to create a single, unity coalition and focus their energy on the fight against Islamic State. But this strategy isn’t working as the rival governments in Libya remain as divided as ever.
Americans have launched air strikes on Islamic State outposts in Libya and the French have conducted surveillance flights. US, French and British special forces are also in the country. This coalition needs to be broadened and the Libyan rival governments must be persuaded to form a unity government so that the fight against the militants can be ratcheted up and won.
Western countries need to formulate a more coherent and effective strategy to fight the Islamic State in Libya as the militants are expanding their operations in the country. The issue has acquired urgency due to Libya’s geographical proximity to Europe. If the IS is allowed to expand at the current pace and if Libya further weakens with the strengthening of militias which are ruling its large swathes, the situation could spin out of control.
Italy yesterday refused to send troops to Libya to fight the IS after a suggestion from the US ambassador in Italy that Rome could send up to 5,000 troops. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi made a statement explaining his country’s stance after two
Italian hostages freed in Libya (two fellow captives were allegedly killed by the Islamic State militants) were flown back home. “As long as I am prime minister, Italy will not go to Libya for an invasion with 5,000 men,” Renzi told Canale 5 television.
Five years after the revolution that ousted Muammar Gaddafi, Libya is deeply divided, with rival governments based in Tripoli and the east and efforts to form a national unity government failing despite intense efforts and accords. Militants loyal to Islamic State have taken advantage of a security vacuum after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi to expand their presence, establishing control over the coastal city of Sirte last year.
The government in Tripoli is trying to weaken the IS, but its efforts haven’t been successful. For example, Libyan forces based in the city of Misrata are carrying out air strikes against Islamic State militants in their stronghold of Sirte. As many as 18 people were killed in the strikes, including senior Islamic State members, according to government officials. Such airstrikes are carried out regularly, but the militants have been entrenched enough to be uprooted by such attacks.
Italy is unlikely to be interested in a military involvement in its former colony and its focus so far has been on finding a solution inside Libya. Rome is working with other Western powers and the United Nations to try to convince two rival Libyan governments to create a single, unity coalition and focus their energy on the fight against Islamic State. But this strategy isn’t working as the rival governments in Libya remain as divided as ever.
Americans have launched air strikes on Islamic State outposts in Libya and the French have conducted surveillance flights. US, French and British special forces are also in the country. This coalition needs to be broadened and the Libyan rival governments must be persuaded to form a unity government so that the fight against the militants can be ratcheted up and won.
