Khalifa Haftar

Khalifa Haftar is a Libyan military officer and the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), a major faction in the country's protracted conflict. A veteran of the Yom Kippur War and the Chadian–Libyan conflict, he later became a prominent figure in the First Libyan Civil War against Muammar Gaddafi. Since 2014, he has led the LNA in the Second Libyan Civil War, controlling much of eastern and southern Libya from his operational headquarters in Benghazi and Al Marj.

Early life and military career

Born around 1943 in Ajadabiya, he graduated from the Royal Military Academy in Benghazi. He participated in the 1969 Libyan coup d'état that brought Muammar Gaddafi to power. Haftar rose through the ranks, receiving advanced military training in the Soviet Union. He commanded Libyan forces during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, supporting Egypt on the Golan Heights. In the late 1970s and 1980s, he was a senior commander in the Chadian–Libyan conflict, leading operations in the Aouzou Strip. In 1987, he was captured by Chadian Armed Forces during the Battle of Maaten al-Sarra and was subsequently abandoned by the Gaddafi government.

Role in the Libyan Civil War

After his capture, he was held prisoner in Chad before being released with assistance from the Central Intelligence Agency. He then spent nearly two decades in exile in the United States, living in Langley, Virginia, and became a central figure in the opposition National Front for the Salvation of Libya. He returned to Libya in 2011 to join the National Transitional Council during the First Libyan Civil War, commanding ground forces dubbed the Libyan National Army. Following the fall of the Gaddafi government and the Killing of Muammar Gaddafi, political disagreements with the new authorities led to his marginalization. In February 2014, he appeared on television to announce the suspension of the General National Congress, a move that precipitated the Second Libyan Civil War.

Leadership of the Libyan National Army

In May 2014, he launched Operation Dignity, a military campaign against Islamist militias in Benghazi and Tripoli, formally reviving the Libyan National Army as his command. The LNA, aligned with the House of Representatives based in Tobruk, subsequently fought against the Government of National Accord and other rival factions. Key campaigns under his command include the Battle of Benghazi (2014–2017), the 2019 Western Libya offensive towards Tripoli, and the protracted Siege of Derna. His forces have received critical support from foreign backers, enabling them to control vital oil fields and infrastructure across the Sirte Basin.

International relations and support

His faction has cultivated strong international partnerships, most significantly with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Russia. The Egyptian Armed Forces under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi have provided direct military assistance, while the Wagner Group has deployed mercenaries and military advisors to support LNA operations. The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces have conducted extensive airstrikes and provided drones, such as the Wing Loong II. Conversely, he is opposed by Turkey, which backs the Government of National Accord, and has faced sanctions from the United States Department of the Treasury and condemnation from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.

Controversies and human rights issues

His leadership has been associated with numerous alleged war crimes and human rights violations. Organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented incidents of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, and attacks on civilian infrastructure. The International Criminal Court has investigated potential crimes committed during the Battle of Benghazi (2014–2017) and the 2019 Western Libya offensive. His forces have been accused of enforcing blockades on cities like Derna and of widespread torture in prisons such as Al-Bayda. These actions have led to repeated calls for accountability from the UN Security Council. Category:Libyan military personnel Category:Libyan civil war (2014–2020)