Tuareg militias of Ghat

Tuareg militias of Ghat are ethnic Tuareg tribal militias, operating in South-West Libya desert areas during the Second Libyan Civil War. The militias rose to prominence in the district of Ghat, which has a Tuareg majority. Gradually, the Tuareg forces expanded their hold also into neighbouring districts. The Libyan Tuaregs are supported by Tuaregs of Mali and groups like Ahmed al-Ansari, with support from the Misratan Libyan Dawn forces.[1] Tuareg militias often utilize the Berber flag.[2]

Tuareg Tribe of Ghat
Dates of operation2014–Present
Active regionsFezzan (mainly Ghat District), Libya
IdeologyBerberism
Allies Libyan Ground Forces (GNA)
Toubou Front for the Salvation of Libya (Since 2019)
Opponents Libyan National Army (HoR)
Battles and warsSecond Libyan Civil War

Tuareg militias are one of a number of factions vying for power in southern Libya, which from 2012 onward has suffered from conflict among Arab, Tabu, and Tuareg tribes.[3][4]

Operations
Military situation in Libya as of April 2019.
  Under the control of the Tobruk-led Government and Libyan National Army
  Under the control of the Government of National Accord and Allies
  Under the control of the National Salvation Government/General National Congress
  Controlled by the Mujahedeen Councils of Derna, Benghazi and Adjabiya
  Controlled by local forces
  Controlled by Tuareg forces

(For a more detailed map, see military situation in the Libyan Civil War)
Further information: Ubari conflict

2014

Clashes between Tuareg and Tebu tribal militias have repeatedly flared in Ubari at various times during October 2014.[5] The Tebu tribes are affiliated with the Tobruk government in East Libya. On November 5, 2014, a Tuareg militia reportedly seized control of the El Sharara oil field in Fezzan.[6]

2015

In July 2015, clashes between Tuaregs and Tebu tribes reached Sebha, the biggest city in southern Libya, forcing hundreds of families to flee their homes.[7]

Efforts to negotiate a truce between Tuaregs and Tebu in September 2015 halted because the ceasefire was violated.[7]

On 23 November 2015, the Tuareg and Tebu tribal representatives signed a cease fire deal in Doha, Qatar, in the attempt to end the 14 month-long conflict over Obari.[7] Libya Tripoli government welcomed the signing of the ceasefire deal in a statement and thanked Qatar for mediating the process.[7] The ceasefire agreement ended more than a year of violent clashes between the two groups in which more than 300 people had been killed and some 2,000 injured, according to medical sources.[8]

2016

Due to renewed tensions in Ubari, a task force of the Hasawna tribe was dispatched to Ubari in early February 2016 with a mandate to end ongoing clashes between Libya’s Tebu and Tuareg ethnic groups.[8] Reportedly, the move came in line with a ceasefire agreement signed on November 2015 in Doha by Tebu and Tuareg representatives.[8]

2019
Further information: 2019 Southern Libya offensive

In February 2019, both the Tuareg and Tubu temporarily united under the GNA and its Tuareg commander Gen. Ali Kanna to defend against advances by the LNA under General Khalifa Haftar in Fezzan.[9]

References
  1. Jazeera, Al. "A fierce battle for control in Libya's desert".
  2. "Libya's badlands". 10 January 2014 – via Financial Times.
  3. Libya: Who controls what, Al Jazeera (March 22, 2017).
  4. Frederic Wehrey, Insecurity and Governance Challenges in Southern Libya, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (March 30, 2017).
  5. "Fresh Tribal Clashes Kill 7 In S. Libya". Haberler. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  6. "UPDATE 2-Libya's El Sharara oilfield shut after armed group seizure -sources". Reuters. 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  7. "Rival Libyan tribes sign ceasefire deal in Doha".
  8. "Taskforce deployed to S. Libya to end tribal clashes".
  9. "Feuding tribes unite as new civil war looms in Libya's south". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
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