The fall of the Libyan Government headed by Muammar Gaddafi created an enabling environment for Islamist militancy to flourish and spread to the neighboring nations. Transnational jihadi organizations consider Libya as an important geo-strategic asset that can enable them to influence events in North Africa.
The geo-strategic importance of Libya is due to its geographical location near Mediterranean European countries; as well as its vast wealth that would enable the jihadis to acquire financial self-sufficiency. Currently, al Qaeda (alongside its West African affiliate, al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb), ISIL and Ansar al-Sharia have established bases in the nation.
The lethal military efficiency of these jihadist organizations is showcased by their successful military campaigns against government troops, and at the moment, they control Tripoli – the capital city of Libya as the internationally-recognized government is holed up in the Northeastern city of Tobruk.
ISIL has pragmatically exploited the existing vulnerabilities including absence of state structures, uncontrolled borders, ungoverned territories and ready availability of weapons to entrench itself in the country, and subsequently launch a successful terrorist campaign that currently threatens to spill over into Egypt, Tunisia, Chad and Algeria. Moreover, Europe is at risk owing to its close proximity to Libya.
It is of utmost importance that the African Union supports the current recognized Libyan government as well as aid the present Egyptian war on Libyan terrorists.
