By Ashley Repp
News Desk Reporter, Africa
Misrata, Libya-
Since the over throw of Mommar Guddafi in 2011, during the rash of international uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, often referred to as the Arab Spring, Libya has struggled to remain stable, and civil war has permeated the nation. The internationally recognized government of Libya was forced out of Tripoli in August by an Islamist militant group called Fajr Libya, which translates from Arabic to English as Libya Dawn. Since August, the recognized government has been operating out of Tobruk, a city over 800 miles away from Tripoli.
Forces loyal to the internationally recognized government launched a missile strike on Misrata, an important port city that remained largely untouched by the civil war and conflict. The city has become a stronghold for Islamist militia groups. Among the sites in the city attacked, was an air force academy in the city, as well as the airport. The attack has been cited as a retaliatory response to the attacks on December 25th attack carried out by Islamist militia Fajr Libya that killed 22 government soldiers, in an attempt to gain control of an oil port. The government affirmed its role in the attack on Misrata, and at least one government official asserted that the attack brings Libya, “a step closer to victory.”
The country’s inability to re-stabilize will likely present further challenges to peace and security in Libya, as government loyal groups and Islamist militant factions vie for control of the country. Oil ports have already begun to close in response to the civil violence, which in turn, has led to drastically reduced oil production. Indeed, the closing of these ports have already reduced production by 300,000 barrels of oil each day. Despite calls for peaceful resolution to the current civil war, it does not seem that peace will be a likely, or attainable outcome without serious attempts by both sides to reduce violence as a means to securing control of Libya.
For more information, please see:
The Telegraph- Libya descends into chaos as air strikes hit Misrata– 28 Dec. 2014
Al Jazeera- First air strikes hit Libyan city of Misrata– 28 Dec. 2014
Reuters- New air strike on Libyan city Misrata, clashes near oil port– 3 Jan. 2015
