Abstract

The Second Libyan Civil War is a complicated conflict with a wide variety of parties involved and a variety of competing objectives. The conflict has had a devasting effect not just on the people of Libya but also on the surrounding area as a whole; nonetheless, efforts to end the conflict and create a peace that is sustainable are still ongoing. Allegations of foreign intervention and a proxy war being conducted on Libyan soil have arisen as a direct result of the fact that many foreign countries have supported different parties in the conflict. The battle has also had enormous repercussions for the surrounding region as well as internationally. In this research paper, we will analyze the fundamental reasons for the crisis, as well as the involvement of foreign powers and the effects those powers have had on the problem

Key Words

Autocracy, Libya, Civil War, and Libyan Revolution

Introduction

The war that came to be known as the Libyan Crisis and the Second Libyan Civil War began in the country of Libya in the year 2014. After the toppling of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, opposing factions emerged and immediately began vying for power. This gave rise to the turmoil that we are currently seeing. The "Government of National Accord (GNA)" located in Tripoli was set against the "Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar," which is supported by the "Libyan House of Representatives" based in Tobruk. This conflict was recognized internationally (HoR). The crisis reached a new level in April 2019, when General Haftar initiated an offensive with the goal of wresting control of Tripoli away from the GNA. The conflict has had a catastrophic impact on the people of Libya, causing widespread displacement, damage to infrastructure, as well as loss of life. According to the United Nations, the violence has resulted in the displacement of more than 400,000 people within their own country and has put more than 1.3 million people in need of humanitarian aid. Allegations of foreign intervention and a proxy war being conducted on Libyan soil have arisen as a direct result of the fact that many foreign countries have supported different parties in the conflict. 

The battle has also had enormous repercussions for the surrounding region as well as internationally.The United Nations, acting through its Special Representative in Libya, has been taking the lead in efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution to the crisis, which has been going on for some time now. A peace deal between the GNA and the LNA was signed in October 2020, which led to the establishment of a unified interim government to manage the country until elections are held in December 2021. The elections are scheduled to take place in December 2021. However, the execution of the ceasefire agreement as well as the process of democratic transition has been complicated by ongoing bloodshed as well as differences between the various factions. The Second Libyan Civil War is a complicated conflict with a wide variety of parties involved and a variety of competing objectives. The conflict has had a devasting effect not just on the people of Libya but also on the surrounding area as a whole; nonetheless, efforts to end the conflict and create a peace that is sustainable are still ongoing (Findley, 2011). 




Root causes of the Libyan Civil War

The Second Libyan Civil War was precipitated by a number of underlying factors, each of which contributed in its own unique way to the conflict. The following are some of the most important contributors to the conflict. Once Muammar Gaddafi, the former dictator of Libya,   was deposed in 2011, Libya's political landscape became divided, with numerous factions competing for control. The National Transitional Council (also known as the NTC) was tasked with running the country in the interim period before elections could be organized. The National Transitional Council (NTC) was unable to disarm the different militias that formed throughout the conflict, which led to the growth of the number of armed groups.

The government of Libya was unable to establish control over the entirety of the country, and as a result, different factions controlled different regions of the country. This resulted in a power vacuum, which in turn allowed for the takeover of certain regions of the country by armed groups, which in turn led to violence and instability. The economy of Libya is highly dependent on oil exports, which make up over 90 percent of the country's total revenue from exports. Because of the conflict, oil production and exports have been substantially hampered, which has contributed to economic difficulties such as inflation, shortages of essential products, and a general deterioration in living standards. Damage has been done to the nation's infrastructure, which has further contributed to the country's ongoing economic difficulties (Ratcliff, 2017). 

There are many different ethnic and tribal groupings to be found in the country of Libya. These groups have held grudges against each other for a very long time, and some of them have been sidelined in the past, which has led to tensions and conflicts. These differences have been exacerbated as a result of the conflict, with some groups supporting opposing sides in the conflict based on their identification with other ethnic or tribal groups.

The involvement of foreign powers on opposing sides of the Second Libyan Civil War has contributed to the escalation of violence in the country. There has been supporting from a variety of countries supplied to various groups, which has taken the form of weaponry, mercenaries, and other resources. This has given the dispute new life, making it more difficult to resolve as a result of its increased complexity. For instance, countries like as Egypt, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates provide support for the Libyan National Army (LNA), whereas Turkey and Qatar provide support for the Government of National Accord (GNA) (Hill, 2020). 




Rivalries on a Local, National, and International Scale

Rivalries on the national, regional, and international levels have also played a role in the crisis in Libya. This conflict has evolved into a proxy war for various countries' various geopolitical objectives in Libya, and many of these countries are involved in the conflict.

For instance, certain nations back the Libyan National Army (LNA) because they believe it will serve as a deterrent against the spread of extremist Islamist ideology, while other nations back the General National Assembly (GNA) because they believe it is a legitimate government that can bring stability back to Libya. These rivalries have further hampered efforts to bring an end to the violence and establish a peace that can last.In conclusion, the Second Libyan Civil War may be traced back to a variety of origins, including political disintegration, economic difficulties, ethnic and tribal divisions, international and regional rivalry, and foreign interference. Getting to the bottom of these underlying problems is absolutely necessary if there is any hope of establishing lasting peace in Libya (Hill, 2020). 




The Precarious Nature of the Legitimate Government

The general prosperity of a country, a higher population, and the form of the governing regime are a few of the elements that have been identified by academics as potential contributors to the outbreak of civil war. Before the start of its first civil war in 2011, Libya was ruled by the eccentric dictator Muammar Gaddafi for over four decades, and the country had an authoritarian government. But, after Gaddafi's fall, the country came dangerously close to collapsing and had to be rebuilt from the ground up. A democratic form of administration was chosen by the de facto government that was established. Because of the rapid transition from autocracy to democracy, the governing regime became extremely fragile, which led to the emergence and subsequently the expansion of rebel organizations across the country, which finally resulted in the civil war (Hill, 2020).

Anocracy

A kind of government known as an anocracy is one in which power is exercised through a mix of democratic and authoritarian institutions and procedures. During the Second Libyan Civil War (2014-2020), Libya had the characteristics of an anocracy, including a weak and fragmented government that lacked full control over the country, as well as a variety of armed groups and militias that wielded significant power. This led to the country being referred to as an "anocracy" by some. (2017) according to Ratcliff. At this time, in 2015, the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) was established; nonetheless, it had a difficult time imposing its authority across the entirety of the country. The GNA was opposed by competing factions, one of which was the Libyan National Army (LNA), which was led by General Khalifa Haftar and controlled a significant portion of eastern Libya. Although the GNA had the support of the United Nations and several Western countries, it still faced opposition from rival factions.The struggle was marked by a complicated web of alliances and rivalries, and various sides received help from a variety of foreign powers. This led to a situation in which power was held by a combination of democratic and autocratic elements, with some factions adhering to democratic principles and others resorting to violence and coercion to achieve their goals. This situation resulted in a situation in which power was held by a combination of democratic and autocratic elements (Janjua, 2022). 

In general, during the Second Libyan Civil War, the anocratic structure of the Libyan government was a factor that contributed to the instability of the country and made it impossible to reach a peace that might last. It is very evident that "Libya's inexperience with democracy and the absence of functional state institutions, we see how this legacy has influenced post-2011 state-building in the country." This is crystal clear amongst all of this commotion. Since then, Libya has been unable to translate nominal democratic measures into substantive democratic practices, a crucial component of every post-conflict state's transitional process during the post-conflict period. After the regime of Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown, the primary hope of the Libyan people was that the establishment of democratic institutions would eventually bring about the provision of essential services, including access to medical treatment, educational opportunities, and other fundamental conveniences. Nonetheless, nine years after the revolution, Libyans continue to live in conditions that are lacking in terms of access to basic amenities, healthcare facilities of an appropriate standard, and education at the national level. (Athalia, 2020). It is difficult to describe the situation in Libya during the Second Libyan Civil War as being optimistic because the conflict resulted in widespread violence, displacement, and instability, with thousands of people losing their lives and many more suffering from the effects of the conflict. It is difficult to describe the situation as being optimistic because the conflict resulted in widespread violence, displacement, and instability.

The struggle was marked by a complicated web of alliances and rivalries, and various sides received help from a variety of foreign powers. The conflict was also responsible for the rise of armed groups and militias, which frequently carried out violations of human rights and hampered efforts to set up a stable government. These groups and militias frequently acted outside the rule of law (Rost, 2011).  As a result of the fighting, oil production and exports, both of which are extremely important to the economy of Libya, were badly disrupted. This led to enormous economic ramifications.On the other hand, there have been a number of encouraging developments over the past few years. One of them is the signing of a ceasefire deal in October of 2020, which has resulted in a reduction in violent incidents and the formation of a new temporary administration. This has given rise to the hope that a lasting peace can be achieved in Libya, despite the fact that significant challenges still need to be overcome. These challenges include the requirement to disarm militias, address regional and ethnic tensions, and set up a government that is stable and effective.

Intervention from Outside Parties in Libya's Conflict

The Second Libyan Civil War saw extensive involvement from international powers, with many nations providing support to opposing sides of the conflict. The engagement of outside parties in the conflict was driven by a variety of geopolitical, economic, and security motives on their part. The following is a list of some examples of foreign engagement in the conflict, along with their goals:




Turkey

Turkey's economic and geopolitical interests drove it to support the Government of National Accord (GNA), which was a coalition of political parties. Turkey was one of the few nations that remained to have a diplomatic presence in Libya even after the commencement of the conflict. The two countries had strong trading ties, and Turkey was one of the few countries that continued to have a diplomatic representation in Libya. Turkey also regarded the war in Libya as an opportunity to assert its dominance in the region and offset the impact of rival powers like as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. This was because Turkey saw Egypt and the United Arab Emirates as its primary competitors in the region. The GNA received both military and logistical assistance from Turkey, which included the provision of weaponry, drones, and military advisors. The Turkish government's decision to get involved militarily in the conflict was a major factor in shifting the tide in favour of the GNA. Targets belonging to the LNA were attacked by Turkish drones, while Turkish military advisors assisted in the training and equipping of GNA personnel. (Rost, 2011).




The Arab Emirates of the United

The Libyan National Army (LNA) under the command of General Khalifa Haftar received help from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Concerns about the spread of Islamist extremism in the region as well as a desire to balance the influence of other countries in the region, such as Turkey and Qatar, prompted the United Arab Emirates to lend its backing to the Libyan National Army (LNA).The United Arab Emirates (UAE) assisted the Libyan National Army (LNA) with financial and military support, including funds for weaponry and training. The United Arab Emirates sent its own troops to Libya in order to provide support for the Libyan National Army (LNA), which played an essential part in the LNA's advancements in eastern Libya (Ratcliff, 2017). 




Russia

The Libyan National Army (LNA) was also given help by Russia, which came in the shape of military assistance in the form of weaponry and mercenaries. Moscow's support for the LNA was driven by its economic and geopolitical goals, notably the desire to build closer ties with Libya and acquire access to the country's oil deposits. These interests drove Russia to provide financial assistance to the LNA. Russian private military contractors such as the Wagner Group have been sent to Libya to provide support for the Libyan National Army. By the provision of training, arms, and other forms of logistical support, the Wagner Group was an essential component in the military campaign waged by the LNA (Zoubir, 2020). 




France

The Libyan National Army (LNA) received assistance from France in the form of weaponry and military advisors. Concerns about Islamist extremism and a desire to balance Turkey's influence in the region were the driving forces behind France's decision to back the Syrian National Liberation Army (LNA). The engagement of France in the conflict was contentious due to the fact that it seemed to contradict France's professed support for the GNA and its commitment to the peace process overseen by the United Nations (Zoubir, 2020). 




Egypt

The Libyan National Army (LNA) enjoyed Egypt's support, which included financial assistance, military assistance, and training. Egypt's backing for the LNA was driven by Egypt's fears about Islamist radicalism as well as Egypt's wish to prevent the conflict from spreading to territory that Egypt controls (Findley, 2011). In addition, Egypt was concerned about the GNA's connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt considers to be a terrorist group. Egypt sent its own forces to Libya in order to provide support for the LNA, and these men played an essential part in the LNA's military campaign in eastern Libya.

The involvement of outside parties in the Second Libyan Civil War has, as a whole, rendered the war more convoluted and harder to conclude. It will be absolutely necessary, if a lasting peace in Libya is ever to be achieved, for the underlying geopolitical and economic interests of foreign powers to be addressed (Tyagi, 2021). 




Impacts of War on Libya

The economy of Libya, which had already been ailing for years as a result of political instability and conflict, was severely damaged as a result of the Second Libyan Civil War, which began in 2011. The following are some of the most significant effects:




Production of Oil and Oil Exports

Because Libya is such a substantial producer and exporter of oil, the country's gross domestic product is driven in large part by income from the oil industry. Yet, as a result of the fighting, oil production and exports were both severely hampered, which led to a precipitous drop in earnings. The amount of oil produced decreased from more than 1.2 million barrels per day in the beginning of 2019 to only 90,000 barrels per day by the middle of 2020. As a result of the shutdown of oil terminals and pipelines, there was an accumulation of crude oil, which resulted in damage to the environment and raised the likelihood of fires and explosions (Tyagi, 2021). 

The Devaluation of Currencies and Inflation

Since the government had to print more money to finance the war effort, the Libyan dinar had a significant devaluation during the civil war, and inflation was also quite high as a result of this. In comparison to the value of the US dollar, the value of the dinar dropped by more than fifty percent between 2019 and 2020, and the prices of essential products and services rose dramatically.




Economic Disruption

The conflict caused extensive interruption to economic activity since it led to the closure or relocation of businesses, as well as the displacement of workers and the inability of workers to travel. The war and the limits imposed because of the pandemic had a significant negative influence on a great deal of the economy, including the tourism and construction industries (Findley, 2011).




Emergency on a Human Scale

The battle has also resulted in a humanitarian crisis, as thousands of people have been forced to abandon the nation or have been displaced as a result of the fighting. Food and water shortages have been brought on in some regions as a direct result of the conflict, which has also created disruptions in the delivery of essential services like healthcare and education (Reliefweb, 2021). 




Foreign Investment

The violence has also discouraged foreign investment since companies and investors are hesitant to invest in a country with such political instability and security dangers. This is because corporations and investors fear for their own safety if they invest in a country that is experiencing conflict. Because of this, economic growth and development in Libya have been hampered even further. (An Explanation of the Causes of the Second Libyan Civil War, 2017).  




Weak Governments and Political Grudges

Overall, the Second Libyan Civil War had a significant negative influence on the economy of the country. This has exacerbated the problems that were already there and made it more difficult to advance economic growth and development. The effects of the struggle are likely to be felt for a number of years to come, and finding a solution to the conflict and restoring stability will be very necessary in order to rebuild the economy and make improvements in the lives of ordinary Libyans.

The Implications for Politics

The Second Libyan Civil War had important political repercussions, not only within Libya but also in the context of international affairs more generally. The following is a list of some of the most important political implications. The civil war in Libya resulted in the country's power structure becoming shattered, with a number of militias and factions competing with one another for control over various regions. Because of this, the political environment has become exceedingly unpredictable and uncertain, making it difficult to construct a functioning administration that is able to deliver basic services and maintain law and order. Extremist organizations like ISIS and Al Qaeda have been able to capitalize on the power vacuum that has been created as a result of the fighting. These groups have carried out assaults and established a foothold in Libya, further contributing to the instability of the country and posing a threat to the security of the region as well as the world.

The conflict has also evolved into a proxy war, with a variety of regional and international actors supporting a variety of factions and militias on both sides. This has made efforts to end the conflict even more difficult and has led to the power struggle that is currently taking place within the country (Tyagi, 2021). 

The civil conflict has attracted major interest from the international community, with a number of countries offering military assistance to a variety of factions and militias. Because of this, concerns have been expressed regarding the possibility of involvement from the outside, which has further hampered efforts to resolve the conflict.

Diplomatic attempts have been made in spite of the obstacles in order to bring an end to the crisis in Libya and set up a government that can actually run the country. These attempts have included talks of peace and negotiations between various factions and international entities, in addition to efforts to build a government of national unity. Yet, advancement has been sluggish and challenging, and there is still a significant distance to travel before enduring peace and stability can be achieved in Libya (Libya Economic Monitor, 2022). 

In general, the political repercussions of the Second Libyan Civil War have been enormous and far-reaching. These repercussions have affected not just the nation of Libya itself, but also the larger context of the region and the world. The fighting has produced a political environment that is exceedingly unpredictable and uncertain, and resolving the conflict and establishing a government that can carry out its duties will be essential to restoring peace in Libya and advancing the country's long-term development.




Regional Impacts

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as a whole has been significantly impacted as a result of the Second Libyan Civil War, which has manifested itself in a variety of different ways. The following is a list of some of the most important regional impacts:

As a result of the violence, there is currently a severe refugee and migrant crisis, as thousands of individuals have been forced to abandon the nation and make their way to neighbouring countries and Europe. The humanitarian crisis has put a burden on the resources and infrastructure of neighbouring nations, such as Tunisia and Egypt, and it has also raised security problems relating to the infiltration and trafficking of illegal goods across international borders. The conflict has contributed to the instability of the region as a whole because the fighting has spread into neighbouring nations and has made any tensions or conflicts that were already present much worse. Furthermore, extremist organizations have been given the opportunity to take advantage of the instability caused by the fighting and establish a presence in the region. The conflict has been characterized by violations and abuses of human rights, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detentions, among other atrocities. These violations have contributed to a wider culture of impunity for human rights abuses, which has a destabilizing effect on the region and has made the culture more difficult to change. The Second Libyan Civil War has had enormous regional repercussions, having an effect not just on neighboring nations but also on the MENA region as a whole in a variety of different ways. The resolution of the war will be essential to restoring stability and fostering development in the region. A coordinated effort by regional and international players will be required to address the underlying causes of the conflict and to establish peace and stability that will last (Reliefweb, 2011). 

Communities in Libya have become divided along political and ethnic lines as a direct result of the conflict, which has also had a substantial impact on the country's social cohesion. This has resulted in the escalation of social tensions and made it more challenging to develop a feeling of national unity and a shared identity among the population. The crisis has also had an effect on gender-based violence in Libya, with women and girls being particularly vulnerable to sexual 

abuse and exploitation as a result of the situation. A situation that has been created in which women and girls are at an elevated risk of being abused and exploited is a direct result of the humanitarian crisis as well as the breakdown of societal systems.

Thus, the Second Libyan Civil War has had a huge impact on society, affecting the day-to-day lives of Libyan individuals as well as their overall well-being. To effectively address these societal difficulties and to advance Libya's long-term growth and well-being, it will be essential to bring an end to the civil war and to set up a government that is both stable and competent to carry out its duties. (Rost, 2011)

Recommendations

It is generally agreed upon that in order to find a solution to the conflict that will hold for the long term, there will need to be a political dialogue process that is both comprehensive and inclusive. This process will need to involve all relevant stakeholders and will need to address the underlying political, economic, and social factors that have contributed to the conflict. Among the essential components of such a procedure might be found:

Negotiation and compromise: A long-term resolution to the crisis will need all parties involved to be willing to negotiate and reach a compromise with one another, and to put the interests of the Libyan people ahead of their own limited political or economic objectives.

Reconciliation on the national level: It will be essential to make efforts to promote social cohesion and reconciliation on the national level in order to overcome the divisions and mistrust that have been brought about by the conflict and to construct a sense of national unity and a shared identity for the country.

Promoting economic development and diversification will be essential to addressing the underlying economic factors that have contributed to the conflict and to creating the conditions for long-term stability and prosperity in the country. This is because economic factors have been a contributing factor in both of these areas.

Human rights and accountability: Ensuring accountability for human rights violations and abuses, as well as promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law, will be essential to establishing a culture of accountability and addressing the grievances that have fueled the conflict. In addition, promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law will help to prevent future violations of human rights.

In the end, the path to a lasting resolution of the conflict will be complex and challenging, but it will require a sustained commitment on the part of Libyan stakeholders, as well as regional and international actors, to work together in support of a common vision for peace and stability in the country. This will require a sustained commitment on the part of Libyan stakeholders, as well as regional and international actors.

Conclusion

This civil war in Libya was a continuation of the

political and societal instability that ensued after Muammar Gaddafi's overthrow in 2011. The struggle had its origins in a tangled web of political, economic, and social issues, and it encompassed a wide variety of militias and factions who were all competing for control of the nation. The conflict has substantial repercussions for the surrounding area, including a crisis involving refugees and migrants, instability in the region, and economic repercussions for the nations that are neighbours. It also had a substantial influence on the social environment of the people of Libya, including the displacement of people, the violation of human rights, and difficulties in the provision of education, healthcare, and social cohesion. It will need concerted efforts from regional and international actors to address the fundamental causes of the conflict and to foster enduring peace and stability if the conflict is ever going to be resolved.

References

• About Libya's conflict and foreign interference. United States Institute of Peace.
• Athalia, J. (2020, July 7). A Critical Analysis of Libya’s State-Building Challenges Post- Revolution. E-International Relations.
• Findley, M. G., & Young, J. K. (2012). Terrorism and Civil War: A Spatial and Temporal Approach to a Conceptual Problem. Perspectives on Politics, 10(2), 285–305.
• Hill, T. M. (2020, July 08). Four things to know
• Janjua, R. A. (2022). The perils of anocracy. Www.thenews.com.pk.
• Libya Economic Monitor. (2022, September 01). World Bank.
• Ratcliff, J. L. (2017). Weak states and political grievances: Understanding the causes of the second Libyan civil war. The Journal of Global Affairs, 2(2), 67-75.
• Rost, N. (2011). Human Rights Violations, Weak States, and Civil War. Human Rights Review, 12(4), 417–440.
• The economic cost of the Libyan conflict. (2021, September 13). ReliefWeb.
• Tyagi, S. (2021, January). Deconstructing the second Libyan civil war. International Journal of Law, Management & Humanities, 2(1), 1-9.
• Zoubir, Y. H. (2020). The Protracted Civil War in Libya: The Role of Outside Powers. Insight Turkey.