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Big development.
In an escalation, Egyptian president Sisi says Cairo is now prepared to intervene directly in Libya. He says an Egyptian intervention has become legal under international law to protect its borders, secure Libya & protect civilians there
In an escalation, Egyptian president Sisi says Cairo is now prepared to intervene directly in Libya. He says an Egyptian intervention has become legal under international law to protect its borders, secure Libya & protect civilians there
This statement follows persistent efforts in past weeks by the UAE to stop the advances of the Turkish-backed UN-recognized government in Libya, after the military fiasco of its ally Haftar. https://twitter.com/hxhassan/status/1271144618206334977
Using the same line that Russia and the UAE in past weeks, Egypt’s Sisi says that the red line for them would be if the Turkish-backed Libyan forces attempt to capture Sirte and Jafra. The Cairo Declaration seems to stop these advances through a ceasefire:
Among the themes from this latest escalatory rhetoric from Egypt:
- Egypt will work with Libyan tribes against Tripoli
- Sisi says the Air Force, Special Forces & Border Guards have been securing 1,200km of borders with Libya for 7 years & ready to go in
- Egypt seeks a ceasefire
- Egypt will work with Libyan tribes against Tripoli
- Sisi says the Air Force, Special Forces & Border Guards have been securing 1,200km of borders with Libya for 7 years & ready to go in
- Egypt seeks a ceasefire
Needless to say, the ineffective Egyptian army has been weary of direct interventions even when it was most dependent on the support of Saudi Arabia & Libya. This is largely designed to desperately push for a ceasefire & prevent further advances by the Turkish-backed government.
So much excitement in the Gulf about Sisi remarks, assuming an imminent intervention and major shifts in Libya against Turkish-backed Libyan forces. https://twitter.com/hxhassan/status/1274361763228762113?s=20
Egypt won’t intervene but IF it does, it’ll draw in Turkey even more. Turkey destroyer the Russian air defenses in Syria with drones, and it can easily do worse against the Egyptians. Just as Haftar’s push on the capital last year (backed by Egypt, Russia & UAE) set them back.
Some folks in the Middle East suggest that the Egyptian statements could be a distraction from the embarrassing setback on the more important talks with Ethiopia:
“AP Interview: Ethiopia to fill disputed dam, deal or no deal” https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/ap-interview-ethiopia-to-fill-disputed-dam-deal-or-no-deal/2020/06/19/bb8eabf0-b25c-11ea-98b5-279a6479a1e4_story.html
“AP Interview: Ethiopia to fill disputed dam, deal or no deal” https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/ap-interview-ethiopia-to-fill-disputed-dam-deal-or-no-deal/2020/06/19/bb8eabf0-b25c-11ea-98b5-279a6479a1e4_story.html
