ANALYSIS: The rise of Khalifa Haftar, Egypt's true motive in Libya
Egypt used attack on Christians south of Cairo as a pretext to attack Libya's Derna. But analysts say their real purpose was to support Haftar
Forces loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar (AFP)
Monday 29 May 2017 13:48 UTC Last update: Tuesday 30 May 2017 16:35 UTC
Egypt has used an attack on Christians on home soil as a pretext to advance its interests in Libya and strengthen the hand of strongman Khalifa Haftar, analysts have said.
Cairo on Friday launched air strikes on the Libyan city of Derna, saying it was hunting "terrorists" who had massacred dozens of Christians in an attack south of Cairo only hours earlier. The Islamic State group, which claimed the attack on the Christians, has no presence in the city.
That has led some to suggest that the aim of the strikes was not to counter a potential threat to Egypt, but to provide military assistance to the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Egypt's staunch ally Khalifa Haftar, who is currently pursuing a campaign to undermine the UN-backed unity government in Tripoli and defeat "terrorist" groups.
Derna is currently under the control of the Derna Shura Council, which has run the city since kicking out IS in 2015.
Haftar's forces, who have pledged to eliminate Islamist groups in Libya, have denounced the council as "terrorists" and besieged the city.
Continued: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/what-were-egypts-real-goals-striking-libya-972424695
"Strongman" Khalifa Haftar too, allegedly, has connections to the Russians, look up "Haftar" and "Russia", so this is quite an interesting development.
Supposedly, a lot of Haftar's soldiers were killed about a week ago; this was posted in this forum.
Of course, MEE's analysis could be wrong too.
The conflict has escalated seemingly.
