Egyptian intervention in Libya (2015–2020)

{{see also|2015 kidnapping and beheading of Copts in Libya|February 2015 Egyptian airstrikes in Libya}}

On 12 February, ISIL released a video of the group beheading Coptic Christians, all of which were Egyptians. On 16 February 2015, Egyptian F-16s struck weapons caches and training camps of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Libya. The air strikes killed 64 ISIS fighters, including three leaders in Derna and Sirte on the coast.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/egypt-air-strikes-target-isis-weapons-stockpiles-libya |title=Egyptian air strikes in Libya kill dozens of Isis militants |author=Chris Stephen |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 February 2015 |access-date=17 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202000126/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/egypt-air-strikes-target-isis-weapons-stockpiles-libya |archive-date=2 December 2016 |url-status=live}} 55 were captured in ground assaults.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/libya-egyptian-troops-launch-ground-attack-isis-held-derna-capturing-55-militants-1488522|title=Libya: Egyptian troops launch ground attack in Isis-held Derna 'capturing 55 militants'|work=International Business Times UK|date=18 February 2015 |access-date=25 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219004650/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/libya-egyptian-troops-launch-ground-attack-isis-held-derna-capturing-55-militants-1488522|archive-date=19 February 2015|url-status=live}} 7 civilians were also killed by the air strike.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-egypt-idUSKBN0LR28K20150223|title=Seven killed in Egyptian air strikes on Libyan city: Amnesty|work=Reuters|date=23 February 2015 |access-date=30 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717061003/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/23/us-libya-security-egypt-idUSKBN0LR28K20150223|archive-date=17 July 2015|url-status=live}}

Egypt and the UAE carried out multiple airstrikes in Derna in May, June, and September against ISIL.{{cite web|url=https://alnabaa.tv/en/news/view/20182|title=UAE drone air attacks Derna in east Libya|website=alnabaa.tv|accessdate=9 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141913/https://alnabaa.tv/en/news/view/20182|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=usurped}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.libyanexpress.com/egyptian-warplanes-conduct-airstrikes-on-libyas-derna/|title=Egyptian warplanes conduct airstrikes on Libya's Derna|website=Libyan Express - Libya News, Opinion, Analysis and Latest Updates from Libya|date=27 May 2017|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228174639/https://www.libyanexpress.com/egyptian-warplanes-conduct-airstrikes-on-libyas-derna/|archive-date=2018-12-28|url-status=live}} However, the Libyan Express released a video alleging that Egyptian soldiers were at the front line alongside the Libyan National Army.{{Cite web|url=https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/video-egyptian-soldiers-fighting-derna-alongside-haftar%E2%80%99s-armed-groups|title=Video: Egyptian soldiers fighting in Derna alongside Haftar's armed groups}}

On 5 April, Egypt expressed its deep concern over a campaign in Tripoli and urged all sides to avoid escalation. Egypt also announced its commitment to UN efforts to find a political solution to the Libyan Crisis, adding that a political solution is the only option.{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/329483/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-voices-deep-concern-over-new-developments-in.aspx|title=Egypt voices deep concern over new developments in Libya – Politics – Egypt – Ahram Online|website=english.ahram.org.eg}} On 9 April, Egypt expressed support for the Libyan National Army and its push to dismantle all remaining militias, and also cautioned against foreign intervention in the conflict.{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/329708/-.aspx|title='Egypt committed to supporting Libyan national army in battle against armed militias,' parliament speaker – Politics – Egypt – Ahram Online|website=english.ahram.org.eg|access-date=9 April 2019}} On 14 April, President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, met with LNA Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Cairo{{Cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2020/07/13/Libya-crisis-timeline-The-battle-for-Tripoli-Sirte-and-oil|title = Libya crisis timeline: The battle for Tripoli, Sirte, and oil from November to today|date = 13 July 2020}} and announced his support for the LNA's counterterrorism efforts, stating that "the fight toward terrorism"..."allows the establishment of a stable and sovereign civil state, and will start the reconstruction of Libya in various fields."{{cite web|url=https://www.egyptindependent.com/sisi-stressed-egypts-support-for-counterterrorism-efforts-in-libya/|title=Sisi stressed Egypt's support for counterterrorism efforts in Libya|date=14 April 2019|website=Egypt Independent|language=en-US|access-date=14 April 2019}}

On 5 July, Egyptian warplanes hit a site where Turkey was allegedly building a military base.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-idUSKBN24608H|title=Jets hit Libya's al-Watiya airbase where Turkey may build base, sources say|newspaper=Reuters |date=July 5, 2020|via=www.reuters.com}}

On 19 July, The Egyptian President made public threats to the Government of National Accord (GNA) that Egypt would deploy troops if Sirte were to be captured, which was viewed by the GNA as a declaration of war.[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/22/libya-gna-calls-egypts-military-threat-declaration-of-war/ Libya's GNA call Egypt's military threat as a 'declaration of war'] Al-Jazeera The next day, Egypt deployed an undisclosed number of troops into Libya. Many politicians and news sources say due to Turkish military intervention in Libya from earlier in 2020.

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Category:Libyan civil war (2014–2020)

Category:Egypt–Libya relations

Libya