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Egyptian intervention in Libya (2015–2020)
Part of the Libyan civil war (2014–2020) and the War against the Islamic State
The situation in June 2020
Date 12 February 2015-26 October 2020 [10] Location Libya, with spillovers in Egypt Result Ceasefire; [10] ISIL ground targets destroyed by the Egyptian Air Force [11] [12] Khalifa Haftars failed attempt at capturing Tripoli [13]
Belligerents
Egypt   United Arab Emirates [1] [2] [3] [4]   Chad [5] In Support of: Tobruk Government Supported by:   Greece [6]   France [7]	ISIL [8]	Government of National Accord   Turkey [6] Supported by:   Qatar [9]
Units involved
Egyptian Armed Forces   Egyptian Army (from 20 July 2020) [14]   Egyptian Air Force [8]   Egyptian Navy United Arab Emirates Armed Forces   United Arab Emirates Air Force Chad National Army   Chadian Ground Forces	Military of ISIL	Libyan Ground Forces (GNA-aligned) Turkish Armed Forces   Turkish Land Forces   Turkish Air Force   Turkish Navy Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army

The Egyptian intervention in Libya has been substantial since the beginning of the civil war. The intervention started after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ( ISIL) released a video of the beheading of 21 Egyptians on February 12th, 2015. In response, Egypt launched airstrikes on the 16th of February that same year. After that incident, Egypt became increasingly involved with Libya's internal politics.

Timeline

2015

On February 12th, ISIL released a video of the group beheading Coptic Christians, all of which were Egyptians. Egypt, along with the Tobruk Government, proceeded to launch airstrikes on the 15th and 16th of February in Eastern Libya in response to the beheadings. On July 19th, at least 21 Egyptian troops were killed near the Libyan border by an Islamist group. ^[15]

2018

Egypt and the UAE carried out multiple airstrikes in Derna in May, June, and September against ISIL. ^{[16] [17]} However, the Libyan Express released a video alleging that Egyptian soldiers were at the front line alongside the Libyan National Army. ^[18]

2019

On April 5th, 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. ^[19] On April 9th, 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. ^[20] On 14 April, President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, met with LNA Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Cairo ^[21] 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." ^[22]

2020

On July 5th, Egyptian warplanes hit a site where Turkey was allegedly building a military base. ^[23]

On July 19th, 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. ^[24] 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.

References