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| Libya Dawn militias have allegedly attacked the city of ], which is allied to the Egyptian-backed parliament in ], possibly in response to the Egyptian air raids, forcing the cancellation of a flight scheduled to take off from the city's airport. The plane was carrying Egyptian and Libyan citizens for their safety.<ref name="DNE Zintan">{{cite web | url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2015/02/18/militias-respond-egyptian-airstrikes-attack-libyan-airport/ | title=Militias respond to Egyptian airstrikes, attack Libyan airport | publisher=''Daily News Egypt'' | date=18 February 2015 | accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref> | Libya Dawn militias have allegedly attacked the city of ], which is allied to the Egyptian-backed parliament in ], possibly in response to the Egyptian air raids, forcing the cancellation of a flight scheduled to take off from the city's airport. The plane was carrying Egyptian and Libyan citizens for their safety.<ref name="DNE Zintan">{{cite web | url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2015/02/18/militias-respond-egyptian-airstrikes-attack-libyan-airport/ | title=Militias respond to Egyptian airstrikes, attack Libyan airport | publisher=''Daily News Egypt'' | date=18 February 2015 | accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref> | ||
| ==Reactions== | |||
| The ] supported Egypt's bombing of Libya, expressing its "full understanding" of the Egyptian government's position. The body also called for the lifting of an arms embargo on the Libyan national military, which was imposed by the United Nations and the European Union in 2011, during an emergency meeting in Cairo.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/180447/arab-league-39-understands-39-egypt-airstrikes-in-libya.html | title=Arab League 'understands' Egypt airstrikes in Libya | publisher=''Journal of Turkish Weekly'' | date=19 February 2015 | accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150218/1018437242.html | title=Arab League Urges Global Community to Lift Ban on Arms Sales to Libya | publisher=Sputnik | date=18 February 2015 | accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref> However, a diplomatic row evolved between Egypt and ] over the airstrikes. During the Arab League meeting, a Qatari foreign ministry official expressed his government's reservations over unilateral military action by Egypt, adding that this could "give an advantage to one side in Libya's conflict". The tensions culminated with Qatar recalling its ambassador from Cairo for "consultations", and Egypt's envoy to the Arab League, Tareq Adel, accusing Qatar of "supporting terrorism".<ref name="Reuters Qatar">{{cite web | url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/19/us-mideast-crisis-egypt-qatar-idUSKBN0LN07520150219 | title=Egypt, Qatar trade barbs in dispute over Libya strikes | publisher=Reuters | date=19 February 2015 | accessdate=20 February 2015 | author=Tolba, Ahmed}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://egyptianstreets.com/2015/02/19/egypt-accuses-qatar-of-supporting-terrorism-qatar-recalls-ambassador/ | title=Egypt Accuses Qatar Of ‘Supporting Terrorism’, Qatar Recalls Ambassador | publisher=Egyptian Streets | date=19 February 2015 | accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref> ], Secretary-General of the ] (GCC), allegedly came in Qatar's defense and criticized Egypt's labeling of Qatar as a terrorism sponsor. He described the Egyptian diplomat's remarks as "a false accusation that defies the truth and ignores the sincere efforts that Qatar exerts to fight terrorism and extremism at all levels".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/20/world/middleeast/gulf-cooperation-council-backs-qatar-in-dispute-with-egypt.html?_r=0 | title=Gulf Leaders Back Qatar in Its Feud With Egypt | publisher=''The New York Times'' | date=19 February 2015 | accessdate=20 February 2015 | author=Kirkpatrick, David D.}}</ref> Hours later, however, Zayani denied releasing such statement, which was later removed from the GCC's website, and reiterated his support for the Egyptian government. Bahrain's state media reported that the "false statement attributed to Al Zayani" was due to Qatar's control over the website.<ref name="Reuters Qatar"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://egyptianstreets.com/2015/02/20/gulf-countries-declare-full-support-for-egypt-after-false-gcc-statement-supporting-qatar/ | title=Gulf Countries Declare ‘Full Support’ For Egypt After ‘False’ GCC Statement Supporting Qatar | publisher=Egyptian Streets | date=20 February 2015 | accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 11:25, 20 February 2015
 | It has been suggested that 2015 kidnapping and beheading of Copts in Libya be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2015. |
| February 2015 Egyptian airstrikes in Libya | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Global War on Terrorism, the Military intervention against ISIL, and the Second Libyan Civil War | |||||
| |||||
| Belligerents | |||||
 Egypt Libya |
 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant | ||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||
|
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Sedki Sobhi Younes Hamed Khalifa Haftar Saqer al-Joroushi |
Abu Nabil Al Anbari (ISIL commander of North Africa) File:Wilayat Barqa.JPG Muhammand Abdullah (Top ISIL Judge in Derna) Ali Al Qarqaa(ISIL Emir of Nofaliya) | ||||
| Units involved | |||||
 Egyptian Air Force Libyan Air Force | ISIL military | ||||
| Strength | |||||
| Six F-16 jets | 1,100 fighters in Libya | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
| 40–64 militants killed (Egyptian and Libyan claims) | |||||
|
7 civilians killed by airstrikes (Al Jazeera claim) 35 Egyptian citizens allegedly kidnapped | |||||
Egyptian military intervention in Libya refers to Egyptian bombing raids on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) positions in Libya, triggered by a video released by ISIL in Libya on February 15 depicting the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians from Egypt. Within hours, the Egyptian Air Force responded with airstrikes against ISIL training camps and weapons stockpiles in retaliation for the killings. Warplanes acting under orders from the Libyan government also struck targets in Derna, reportedly in coordination with Egypt.
The first round of Egyptian air strikes had allegedly killed up to 64 ISIL militants, including three of the leadership, in the coastal cities of Derna and Sirte. Libyan media reported that at least 35 more Egyptians had been rounded up by ISIL in retaliation for the air raids.
As the intervention began, Egypt's Foreign Ministry called on the US-led coalition striking Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets in Syria and Iraq to broaden its scope to North Africa and take action against the extremist group in Libya.
Casualties
The first wave of Egyptian airstrikes killed, according to the Libyan military, up to 64 ISIL fighters. Libya's air force chief, Saqr Geroushi, claimed that 40 to 50 people had been killed.
Al Jazeera reported that seven civilian were killed during the airstrikes, including three children. Human Rights Watch called on the Egyptian and Libyan authorities to carry out an investigation into the civilian casualties resulting from the raids, stating that "any military engagement with ISIS should take all possible steps to spare civilian lives".
Aftermath
Local media reports from Libya, which emerged the day the airstrikes were conducted, claimed that 35 more Egyptians, mainly farm workers, have been kidnapped in areas controlled by groups such as Ansar al-Sharia and ISIL. Libya Herald reported that seven Egyptians initially went missing, but that the number later rose to thirty-five.
Libya Dawn militias have allegedly attacked the city of Zintan, which is allied to the Egyptian-backed parliament in Tobruk, possibly in response to the Egyptian air raids, forcing the cancellation of a flight scheduled to take off from the city's airport. The plane was carrying Egyptian and Libyan citizens for their safety.
Reactions
The Arab League supported Egypt's bombing of Libya, expressing its "full understanding" of the Egyptian government's position. The body also called for the lifting of an arms embargo on the Libyan national military, which was imposed by the United Nations and the European Union in 2011, during an emergency meeting in Cairo. However, a diplomatic row evolved between Egypt and Qatar over the airstrikes. During the Arab League meeting, a Qatari foreign ministry official expressed his government's reservations over unilateral military action by Egypt, adding that this could "give an advantage to one side in Libya's conflict". The tensions culminated with Qatar recalling its ambassador from Cairo for "consultations", and Egypt's envoy to the Arab League, Tareq Adel, accusing Qatar of "supporting terrorism". Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), allegedly came in Qatar's defense and criticized Egypt's labeling of Qatar as a terrorism sponsor. He described the Egyptian diplomat's remarks as "a false accusation that defies the truth and ignores the sincere efforts that Qatar exerts to fight terrorism and extremism at all levels". Hours later, however, Zayani denied releasing such statement, which was later removed from the GCC's website, and reiterated his support for the Egyptian government. Bahrain's state media reported that the "false statement attributed to Al Zayani" was due to Qatar's control over the website.
See also
- Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant occupation of Derna
- Second Libyan Civil War
- American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present)
- American-led intervention in Syria
References
- "Libyan air force joins air strikes - more bombings planned". ITV News. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- "Egypt: Six F-16s Used in Libya Airstrikes - Egyptian Military Source". allAfrica. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
- Cruickshank, Paul; Robertson, Nic; Lister, Tim; Karadsheh, Jomana (18 November 2014). "ISIS comes to Libya". CNN. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Masi, Alessandria (16 February 2015). "Egypt Warplanes Hit ISIS Militants In Libya In Second Round Of Airstrikes". International Business Times. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Egypt bombs Islamic State targets in Libya after beheading video". Washington Post. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Egypt 'bombs IS in Libya' after beheadings video". BBC News. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- "Libyan air force loyal to official government bombed targets in eastern city of Derna". Ynetnews. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- Fahmy, Omar; Bayoumy, Yara (16 February 2015). "Egypt strikes back at Islamic State militants after beheading video, killing dozens". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "Civilians killed as Egypt launches air strikes in Libya". Al Jazeera. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
- Nader, Emir; Zaki, Menna (17 February 2015). "HRW calls for investigation into civilian deaths from Egyptian airstrikes". Daily News Egypt. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Mezzofiore, Gianluca (16 February 2015). "Libya: More Egyptians 'kidnapped by IS or Ansar al-Sharia' after Egypt airstrikes". International Business Times. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "35 more Egyptians 'detained' in Libya: State media". Daily News Egypt. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Militias respond to Egyptian airstrikes, attack Libyan airport". Daily News Egypt. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Arab League 'understands' Egypt airstrikes in Libya". Journal of Turkish Weekly. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Arab League Urges Global Community to Lift Ban on Arms Sales to Libya". Sputnik. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ^ Tolba, Ahmed (19 February 2015). "Egypt, Qatar trade barbs in dispute over Libya strikes". Reuters. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- "Egypt Accuses Qatar Of 'Supporting Terrorism', Qatar Recalls Ambassador". Egyptian Streets. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- Kirkpatrick, David D. (19 February 2015). "Gulf Leaders Back Qatar in Its Feud With Egypt". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Gulf Countries Declare 'Full Support' For Egypt After 'False' GCC Statement Supporting Qatar". Egyptian Streets. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
