The war in Derna : what’s happening now, and what’s next?

Abstract

On 7 May 2018, the self-styled Libyan National Army announced the launch of a military campaign targeting Derna, the only city in eastern Libya not under its control. Although the campaign was widely expected, several key questions are yet to be answered: what position(s) are Derna’s residents taking towards the campaign? what is the likely impact of conflict on the situation in Libya at the local and national levels? What are the most relevant steps to take to ensure stability in the city in the short and medium term? Building on the previous policy brief The Crisis in Derna: Reconciliation Opportunities in the Midst of War, Al-Zubayr Salem seeks to answer these questions and shed light on the roots, progress and possible implications of the Derna conflict.