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🛒 تسوق الآنLibyan National Army Launches Military Operation Against Southern Rebel Groups
Libyan National Army Launches Military Operation Against Southern Rebel Groups
LNA Forces Move to Neutralize Armed Groups in Libya's Southern Border Region
The Libyan National Army (LNA) has launched a major military operation across southern Libya targeting rebel armed groups operating near the borders with Chad and Niger, according to military sources who spoke to Libya Press on Thursday.
The operation, which began in the early hours of Thursday morning, marks the most significant military escalation in the region since the LNA consolidated control over southern Libya. Military commanders describe the mission as a sweeping effort to dismantle militant cells destabilizing the area.
Operation Details and Objectives
LNA forces have deployed heavily armed units to multiple sectors in the south, focusing on the border triangle where Libya, Chad, and Niger meet. This area has long served as a haven for armed groups trafficking weapons, fuel, and migrants across the porous Saharan borders.
The operation specifically targets groups loyal to Mohammed Wardqo, a rebel commander who has challenged LNA authority. Military officials said the operation aims to "clear the area of all hostile elements" and restore full state control over the southern frontiers.
- Multiple LNA battalions mobilized from bases in Sabha, Murzuq, and Ubari
- Air support deployed for reconnaissance and precision strikes
- Border crossing points placed under heightened security
- Supply routes from Chad and Niger targeted for disruption
Background: Rising Tensions in the South
The operation follows weeks of escalating tensions. Rebel groups recently claimed responsibility for kidnapping several LNA soldiers, drawing widespread condemnation and prompting military leadership to reconsider its strategy in the region.
According to reports from Asharq Al-Awsat, LNA Chief of Staff Khalifa Haftar convened a meeting with military and security commanders in the south in April 2026 to assess the growing threat. The meeting laid the groundwork for the current operation, with commanders developing a comprehensive security plan.
Local sources indicate rebel groups expanded their territorial control in recent months, taking advantage of the vast desert terrain to establish hidden camps near border areas.
Regional Implications
The southern border region remains a persistent challenge for Libyan authorities and international partners. It serves as a transit route for rebel movements and transnational criminal networks involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal migration toward Europe.
Chad and Niger are watching developments closely. The operation could disrupt cross-border networks, though analysts caution military action risks displacing militant activity deeper into neighboring territories rather than eliminating it.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has not yet issued a formal statement, but diplomatic sources indicate international stakeholders are monitoring the situation.
Strategic Significance for Libya
The LNA's decision to launch a large-scale southern operation signals a strategic shift toward asserting control over Libya's periphery. Since the 2020 ceasefire, the LNA focused primarily on securing its eastern strongholds. This operation marks renewed commitment to projecting power into the country's vast southern territories.
Security analysts note controlling the southern borders is critical for Libya's long-term stability. The region accounts for a significant share of the underground economy, with rebel groups profiting from smuggling operations. By targeting these networks, the LNA aims to weaken armed opposition and reclaim economic resources that have funded insurgency.
Humanitarian Considerations
The military escalation raises concerns for civilian populations in southern cities including Murzuq, Ubari, and Ghat. These areas experienced displacement during previous conflicts, and residents fear renewed instability.
Medical facilities in the south are under-equipped to handle potential casualties, and humanitarian organizations have called for safe corridors for civilian movement. The LNA stated the operation targets militant positions specifically and that every effort will be made to protect non-combatants.
Libya Press will continue monitoring developments and provide updates as new information becomes available.
— Libya Press / Security Desk
