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🛒 تسوق الآنLibya's Armed Forces: A Nation's Military Torn Between Unity and Division
Libya's Armed Forces: A Nation's Military Torn Between Unity and Division
The Libyan Armed Forces stand as one of the most complex military institutions in the Middle East and North Africa, reflecting the state of political division that has gripped Libya for over a decade. Since the fall of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, the country has failed to rebuild a unified national army capable of bringing all Libyans under one institutional umbrella.
Roots of the Libyan Armed Forces
The roots of Libya's military establishment trace back to 1951, when the country gained independence and the Kingdom of Libya was established under King Idris I. The nucleus of the army was formed from the remnants of the Libyan Arab Force, which had fought alongside the British during World War II. Britain and the United States took charge of training and equipting the fledgling Libyan military in its early years.
Following the September 1969 coup that brought Gaddafi to power, Libya pivoted toward the Soviet Union for military assistance. The Libyan military fought in several conflicts, most notably the Libyan-Egyptian War of 1977 and the Chadian-Libyan conflict that raged from 1978 to 1987.
Collapse and Division
With the 2011 Libyan revolution and the fall of the Gaddafi regime, the armed forces completely disintegrated. Multiple armed militias with varying loyendas and agendas emerged, making the rebuilding of a coherent military institution an extraordinarily difficult task.
Following the second civil war, the armed forces split into two main camps: the western camp in Tripoli led by Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed al-Menfi and Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, and the eastern camp commanded by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, leader of the self-styled Libyan National Army.
The Libyan National Army in the East
The Libyan National Army (LNA), headquartered in Ar Rajma in eastern Libya, is estimated to number around 85,000 personnel as of 2020. Its ranks include a regular core of approximately 7,000 trained soldiers alongside Salafist militias and foreign mercenaries. Field Marshal Haftar, who was appointed supreme commander by the House of Representatives in Tobruk in 2015, maintains overall command.
The eastern camp enjoys the backing of several nations, including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, and maintains ties with the Russian Wagner Group. In contrast, this camp faces opposition from the internationally recognized government in Turkey, and Qatar.
Government Forces in the West
The internationally recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli retains formal control over the so-called Libyan Army, which is in reality an alliance of armed militias from key western cities including Misrata and Zuwara. The government also controls most naval and coast guard forces, while air force units remain divided between the two camps.
The Government of National Unity formed in March 2021 under Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh sought to unify the military establishment, yet division persisted with the emergence of the rival Government of National Stability led by Fathi Bashagha in 2022.
Current Challenges
The Libyan Armed Forces face serious challenges today, including the absence of unified leadership, a vacant Chief of General Staff position, the continued presence of armed militias operating outside state authority, and multifaceted foreign interventions that complicate the security landscape.
Hope remains pinned on ongoing political efforts to unify Libya's military establishment, which is widely regarded as an essential prerequisite for achieving lasting stability in a country rich in natural resources and strategic position on the Mediterranean coast.
With approximately 32,000 active personnel across various factions, the path toward a truly unified Libyan military remains fraught with obstacles. Yet the imperative for unity has never been greater, as Libyans across all regions yearn for peace, stability, and a functioning state that can harness the nation's considerable potential.
