Since 2011, Libya has suffered greatly from the control of smugglers, contraband traffickers and terrorists on its borders.
It has also been struggling politically since the unabated events of 2011, with Libya witnessing government divisions over power.

Targeting airstrikes

Recently, new drone strikes targeted smugglers’ positions in western Libya, as part of a large-scale military operation by the Libyan government against smugglers’ positions, and Libyan airstrikes targeted the town of Zuwara near the border with Tunisia, a port of departure for boats of illegal migrants to Europe, where those from Africa travel to Europe by illegal boat.

The government of Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, who wields influence in western Libya, is seeking to demonstrate its ability to control the situation and combat human, drug, and fuel smuggling, portraying himself as a strongman.

Launching large-scale military operations

In May, the Tripoli-based Defense Ministry of Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh’s government announced the launch of a major military operation against the nests of fuel smuggling, drug trafficking, and human trafficking gangs in the West Coast.

The operation, which has so far been limited to marching strikes, initially targeted the coastal town of Zawiya, later targeting other cities such as Al Mayah and Al Ajaylat.

Dbeibeh, who is also Minister of Defense, praised the precision of drone strikes, writing on his Facebook page: “We will strike with an iron fist the dens of crime everywhere we reach.”

Drone strikes are the first phase of the operation, he said, adding that the second phase is aimed at “capturing all wanted individuals”; This means a ground operation could be launched.

Civilian casualties

Areas of western Libya’s cities are being pounded by airstrikes at the direction of Dbeibeh and his government, says Libyan political analyst Hussein Muftah; This has resulted in numerous civilian casualties.

It indicates instability, and Dbeibeh wants to rule the Libyan West in agreement with whoever governs the east, so it becomes easy to unify the army.

He said more than 7 million people could not control the 160 people now in power in Libya, and the Libyan people could not take to the streets and impose their opinion.