Many people may not be aware of the current political unrest
in Libya, and the militant fight for power since 2014. Libya has been in a
state of civil war since 2014, with multiple rival parties fighting for control
of Libya and its resources. Most recently however, there has been a battle over
the highly lucrative oil terminals located in Libya. The terminals were
originally under the control of Field Marshal Khalid Haftar. Haftar is the
leader of the Libyan National Army (LNA), and gains his support from Eastern
Libya as well as countries like Russia and Egypt. The “attackers” who took
control of the oil terminals were led by the Benghazi Defense Brigades (BDB).
The BDB is made up mostly of Libyans who were forced to leave their homes as a
result of Haftar’s takeover of Benghazi. This week the BDB both took over
control of the Al Sidra and Ras Lanuf oil ports, but also launched multiple air
raids on many cities in Eastern Libya.
Since there is a split government ruling body, there are
constant conflicts from armed militant groups. Countries like Egypt are calling
for a cease-fire and have condemned these attacks on Libya’s oil terminals,
however both parties are reluctant to come to a compromise. Libya currently
produces approximately 700k barrels per day, however this number may be subject
to change due to the geopolitical issues in Libya. The Libyan National Oil
Corporation (NOC) has not released an official statement, however oil production
in Libya is suspected to decrease throughout 2017.
- Allison Kosic
Sources:
Did the pursuit of control over the oil terminals incite these struggles, or have they been a result of the already festering struggles?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's the combination of greed and political strife within the Libyan community.
DeleteWould decreases in oil production further destabilize the region? or, Might they lead to an easing of the conflict?
ReplyDeleteI would think the production of oil would be something both sides would be in favor of.
ReplyDeleteAre these oil terminals "state-owned" by the faction that controls them, or are they in any way privatized? Either way, a business would not want to risk losing expensive facilities during a war, so it makes sense that Libya's oil production is expected to decline as long as there is conflict.
ReplyDeleteWhy did Haftar take over Benghazi, and since he did why are Egypt and Russia supporting him?
ReplyDeleteOlive McKay