Libyan Army
{{Short description|Military forces in Libya}}
{{See also|Libyan Army (1951–2011)|Libyan National Army}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Libyan Army
| native_name = {{lang|ar|الجيش الليبي }}
| image = File:Flag of the Libyan Ground Forces.svg
| caption = Libyan Army Flag
| dates = 1951 (Cyrenaica Liberation Army)
2016 (current form)
| country = {{LBY}}
| type = Army
| role = Land warfare
| allegiance =
Formerly
| size =
- {{val|6000}} (Greater Tripoli, Aug 2019){{cite web | last1 =Lacher | first1 =Wolfram | author1link = Wolfram Lacher | title= Who is fighting whom in Tripoli? How the 2019 civil war is transforming Libya's military landscape | website = Security Assessment in North Africa Briefing Paper |trans-title = |year = 2019 | url = http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/T-Briefing-Papers/SAS-SANA-BP-Tripoli-2019.pdf | access-date = 11 November 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191110232900/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/T-Briefing-Papers/SAS-SANA-BP-Tripoli-2019.pdf |archive-date= 10 November 2019 |url-status=dead}}{{rp|7}}
- {{val|2200}}–{{val|2400}} (Sirte, Aug 2019){{rp|8}}
| command_structure = Libyan Armed Forces
| garrison = Tripoli
| motto =
| colors = Black, red
| anniversaries =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| battles =
| commander1 = Mohamed al-Menfi
| commander1_label = Commander-in Chief
| commander2 = Mohammad Ali al-Haddad
| commander2_label = Chief of General Staff
| notable_commanders =
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_label =
| identification_symbol_2 =
| identification_symbol_2_label =
| website =
}}
The Libyan Army{{cite news | last1= Assad | first1= Abdulkader | title= Al-Sarraj orders military support for Libyan Army forces on frontlines |trans-title = | date= 8 October 2019 |newspaper= The Libya Observer | url= https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/al-sarraj-orders-military-support-libyan-army-forces-frontlines |access-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191115002052/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/al-sarraj-orders-military-support-libyan-army-forces-frontlines |archive-date= 15 November 2019 |url-status=live }} ({{langx|ar|الجيش الليبي}}) is the brand for a number of separate military forces in Libya, which were under the command of the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Since December 2015 the groups of the Libyan Army has been nominally subordinated to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli. Due to the instability in the country in 2011 civil war and the outbreak of a new conflict in 2014, the Libyan ground forces remain structurally divided, with components constituting the Tobruk-based Libyan National Army (LNA) under the command of Khalifa Haftar.Ali H. M.Abo Rezeg (20 March 2018). [https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/cairo-eyes-unification-of-libyan-military-establishment/1094591 Cairo eyes unification of Libyan military establishment]. Anadolu Agency. The forces loyal to the GNA have been fighting against various other factions in Libya, including the Islamic State.Nicholas Norbrook (22 June 2016). [https://www.theafricareport.com/1282/libyan-army-gains-ground-against-is-in-sirte/ Libyan army gains ground against IS in Sirte]. The Africa Report. Some efforts have been made to create a truly national army, but most of the forces under the Tripoli government's command consist of various militia groups, such as the Tripoli Protection Force, and local factions from cities like Misrata and Zintan.Wehrey, Frederic (19 March 2019). [https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/03/19/a-minister-a-general-militias-libyas-shifting-balance-of-power/ A Minister, a General, and the Militias: Libya's Shifting Balance of Power]. The New York Review of Books.[https://www.france24.com/en/20180831-libya-dozens-killed-days-clashes-near-capital-tripoli-militias Dozens dead after days of clashes near Libyan capital]. France24. Published 31 August 2018.
Organization
There are two main warfare organizations in Libya: GNA Libyan army and LNA. The other major military force in Libya is the Libyan National Army (LNA), which in 2014 evolved from what was originally called the LNA in 2011 following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. In 2014, the LNA came under the control of Marshal Khalifa Haftar and the House of Representatives, whose geographical location is in the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk.
In 2017, there was no truly unified army or air force under the Presidential Council's command, and only the Libyan Navy was fully operating under the GNA's control.[https://www.libyaherald.com/2017/09/01/serraj-appoints-chief-of-staff/ Serraj appoints military chief of staff]. Libya Herald. Published 1 September 2017. The Tripoli government aimed to integrate many different militia groups into a regular command structure,Lewis, Aidan (31 August 2016). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-idUSKCN1162RO Libyan forces prepare for last push against Islamic State in Sirte]. Reuters.Szuba, Jared (5 April 2019). [https://thedefensepost.com/2019/04/05/libya-haftar-lna-advances-tripoli/ Haftar's Libyan National Army advances on Tripoli as western militias mobilize]. The Defense Post.[http://www.libyatimes.net/news/112-pro-karah-officer-tipped-for-top-military-post Pro-Karah Office Tipped for Top Military Post]. The Libya Times. Published 14 March 2018. and created a Presidential Guard. Prime Minister Sarraj hold the role of supreme commander of the army.[https://www.libyaobserver.ly/inbrief/pc-president-forms-joint-military-operations-room-war-rocks-tripoli-yet-again PC President forms joint military operations room as war rocks Tripoli yet again]. Libya Observer. Published 6 April 2019. The Libyan Army is commanded by the GNA Defense Ministry, which was initially led by Colonel Al-Mahdi Al-Barghathi from 2016Ayyub, Saber.[http://www.marsad.ly/en/2016/01/21/opposing-reactions-to-appointment-of-unity-governments-defence-minister/ Opposing reactions to appointment of unity government’s defence minister] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818011837/http://www.marsad.ly/en/2016/01/21/opposing-reactions-to-appointment-of-unity-governments-defence-minister/ |date=18 August 2016 }}. Libya Herald. Published 21 January 2016. until he was removed in July 2018, at which point GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj took on the role of defense minister.[https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/libyan-presidential-council-gives-its-defense-minister-sack Libyan Presidential Council gives its Defense Minister the sack]. Libya Observer. Published 29 July 2018. The Chief of the General Staff was Major General Abdel Rahman al-Taweel, from September 2017 until his removal in February 2019, being replaced by Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Shareef.[https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/lieutenant-general-mohammed-al-sharif-takes-office-libyas-chief-staff Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Sharif takes office as Libya's Chief of Staff]. Libya Observer. Published 14 March 2019.
=2017–2018=
Since the establishment of the Government of National Accord in 2016 clashes continued to occur between different factions in Tripoli nominally loyal to the new UN-backed unity government, leaving hundreds dead. Khalifa al-Ghawil proclaimed the creation of a new government consisting of the former General National Congress.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-concerned-about-use-of-force-in-libyas-capital/2016/10/16/a26658c4-9386-11e6-9cae-2a3574e296a6_story.html |title=Clashes erupt in Libyan capital |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016175054/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-concerned-about-use-of-force-in-libyas-capital/2016/10/16/a26658c4-9386-11e6-9cae-2a3574e296a6_story.html |archive-date=16 October 2016 |url-status=dead }} Elements of the Presidential Guard defected to the rebels and took over key buildings in the capital.{{cite web |url=http://www.trtworld.com/mea/rival-group-seizes-libyas-un-backed-government-offices-207539 |title=Rival group seizes Libya's UN-backed government offices |access-date=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022054456/http://www.trtworld.com/mea/rival-group-seizes-libyas-un-backed-government-offices-207539 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.libyanexpress.com/presidential-guard-defects-and-pledges-allegiance-to-al-ghweil-salvation-government/|date=16 October 2016|title=Presidential Guard defects and pledges allegiance to Al-Ghweil Salvation Government}} Pro-GNA forces eventually were able to defeat the GNC coup attempt.{{cite web |url=http://www.libyanexpress.com/ceasefire-reached-in-tripoli-after-three-days-of-bloody-fighting/ |publisher=Libyan Express |title=Ceasefire reached in Tripoli after three days of bloody fighting |date=15 March 2017 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821050431/http://www.libyanexpress.com/ceasefire-reached-in-tripoli-after-three-days-of-bloody-fighting/ |archive-date=21 August 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1068906/middle-east |work=Agence-France Presse |publisher=Arab News |title=Libya govt forces overrun Tripoli militia headquarters |date=15 March 2017 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430222910/http://www.arabnews.com/node/1068906/middle-east |archive-date=30 April 2017 |url-status=live }} Around mid-2017, militias allied to the GNA fully secured the capital. In August 2018 fighting broke out between different groups in Tripoli that were all nominally subordinated to the GNA's defense ministry, forcing Prime Minister Sarraj to call in other militias from different towns outside the capital. A unit called the 7th Brigade had rebelled, leading to its dissolution.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/notorious-militia-leader-returns-to-ignite-libya-conflict-1.764924|title=Notorious militia leader returns to ignite Libya conflict|date=30 August 2018 |access-date=22 April 2019}}
=2019=
On 6 April 2019, a joint operations room was formed in response to Khalifa Haftar's attack on Tripoli to coordinate their military forces. It is led by Western military zone commander Osama al-Juwaili and includes the heads of the Tripoli and Central military zones, the Counter-Terrorism Force, and representatives from the Presidential Guard and Military Intelligence Bureau.
In response to a common interest in defending Tripoli against the LNA, the armed militias that in mid 2019 composed the armed forces of the GNA coordinated with one another mainly by agreement among armed group commanders rather than by the official command structure. The militias remained mostly autonomous in decision-making while formally being integrated into the GNA chain of command. Lacher Wolfram, writing in a Security Assessment in North Africa publication, described this as "bottom-up integration" and a "remarkable development" that "could potentially serve as a starting point for the creation of properly integrated forces ... [with] loyalty to a unified command structure".
= Military zones =
On 1 June 2017, the GNA announced the creation of seven military zones throughout Libya. They include Tripoli, Benghazi, Tobruk, Sabha (Southern), Kufra, Central (from Misrata to Zuwetina), and Western (west of Tripoli to Jebel Nafusa) . The commanders of each zone were responsible for training and preparation of the forces in their area and answered to the Libyan army chief of staff. Not all of the territories accounted for were under the GNA's control at the time.[https://www.libyaherald.com/2017/06/01/pc-decides-to-divide-the-country-into-seven-military-zones/ PC decides to divide the country into seven military zones]. Libya Herald. 1 June 2017.[https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170602-libya-to-be-divided-into-7-military-zones/ Libya to be divided into 7 military zones]. Middle East Monitor. Published 2 June 2017.
The leaders of the military zones are as follows.
- Tripoli: Maj. Gen. Abdel Basset Marwan (from 14 March 2018) – Militia leader from Tripoli.Mahmoud, Khalid (27 May 2018). [https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1281651/libya-sarraj-discusses-situation-south Libya: Sarraj Discusses Situation in South]. Asharq al-Awsat.
- Western: Maj. Gen. Osama al-Juwaili (from 4 June 2017) – Zintan military council leader.[https://www.libyaherald.com/2017/06/04/pc-appoints-military-commanders/ PC appoints military commanders]. Libya Herald. Published 4 June 2017.
- Central: Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Haddad (from 4 June 2017) – Halbous Brigade leader from Misrata.
- Southern (Sabha): Ali Kanna (from 6 February 2019) – Tuareg militia leader.[https://www.panapress.com/Fayez-al-Sarraj-parleys-with-som-a_630577245-lang2-free_news.html Fayez al-Sarraj parleys with some Libyan military commanders]. PanaPress. Published 4 March 2019.[https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/libya-al-sirraj-appoints-ali-kanna-commander-sabha-military-zone Libya: Al-Sirraj appoints Ali Kanna commander of Sabha military zone]. Libya Observer. Published 6 February 2019.
- Kufra: Brig. Belgasim al-Abaj – tribal leader from Kufra.[https://www.libyaherald.com/2018/05/02/kufra-tribes-gather-for-peace-and-vow-support-to-lna/ Kufra tribes gather for peace and vow support to LNA]. Libya Herald. Published 2 May 2018.
= Known units =
- Tripoli Protection Force
- Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries
- Libya Shield Force
- Petroleum Facilities Guard
- Tuareg militias in FezzanCarlino, Ludovico (7 February 2019). [https://www.janes.com/article/86223/appointment-of-anti-lna-commander-in-southern-libya-indicates-tripoli-s-intent-to-recover-territory-taken-by-the-lna Appointment of anti-LNA commander in southern Libya indicates Tripoli’s intent to recover territory taken by the LNA]. Jane's.[http://www.addresslibya.com/en/archives/41192 Dabbashi: Ali Kanna wanted to grant Libyan nationality to Malian Tuaregs in 2011]. Address Libya. Published 7 February 2019.
- Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade{{cite web|url=http://www.libyanexpress.com/tripoli-revolutionaries-brigade-seizes-hadba-prison-kills-two-guards-as-fighting-intensifies/|title=Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade seizes Hadba Prison, kills two guards as fighting intensifies|publisher=Libyan Express|date=27 May 2017}}
- Abu Saleem Central Security Force{{cite web|url=https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/12/16/renewed-militia-clashes-shake-tripoli/|title=Renewed militia clashes shake Tripoli|date=16 December 2016|work=Libya Herald|access-date=14 January 2017}}
- Omar Mukhtar force: 2000 Syrian National Army mercenaries funded at {{currency|2000|USD}} per month arriving in December 2019/January 2020; 650 arrived in Libya by 29 December and deployed to frontline positions in East Tripoli.{{cite news | last1= McKernan | first1= Bethan | last2= Akoush | first2=Hussein | title= Exclusive: 2,000 Syrian fighters deployed to Libya to support government | date= 2020-01-15 |newspaper= The Guardian | url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/15/exclusive-2000-syrian-troops-deployed-to-libya-to-support-regime |access-date=2020-01-17 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200115054635/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/15/exclusive-2000-syrian-troops-deployed-to-libya-to-support-regime |archive-date= 2020-01-15 |url-status=live |url-access = }}
- Turkish military advisory personnel: 35 {{as of|2020|01|15|lc=yes}}
Allies
One of the GNA main allies is Turkey. Turkey had deployed weapons and equipment to GNA troops even before the Government of National Accord (GNA) requested Turkish military support in December 2019.{{Citation|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Turkish parliament approves sending troops to Libya {{!}} DW {{!}} 02.01.2020|url=https://www.dw.com/en/turkish-parliament-approves-sending-troops-to-libya/a-51862889|language=en-GB|access-date=2022-01-15}} Turkey's engagement for the GNA is linked to its broader strategic interests in the Eastern Mediterranean: in November, Turkey and GNA leader Fayez al-Serraj signed a defense cooperation deal. At the same time GNA and Turkey agreed one on maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey is locked in a dispute with regional rivals Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel over access to sea regions rich in natural gas.
Equipment
=Weapons=
{{More citations needed section|date=January 2020}}
{{Unreliable sources|1=section|date=January 2020}}
=Artillery=
=Vehicles=
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{cite news | title= Libya's GNA forces announce 'counteroffensive' to defend Tripoli |trans-title = | date= 8 April 2019 |newspaper= Al Jazeera English | url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/04/libya-gna-forces-announce-counteroffensive-defend-tripoli-190407121535177.html |access-date=14 November 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191114233618/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/04/libya-gna-forces-announce-counteroffensive-defend-tripoli-190407121535177.html |archive-date= 14 November 2019 |url-status=live }}
{{Military of Libya}}