Libyan National Army

Libyan National Army
Unit name	Libyan National Army
Native name	الجيش الوطني الليبي
Dates	2011–present
Country	Libya
Type	Army
Garrison	Rajma
Garrison label	Headquarters
Battles	Libyan Civil War (2011), Libyan Civil War (2014–2020), Second Libyan Civil War
Commander1	Khalifa Haftar
Commander1 label	General Commander

Libyan National Army. The Libyan National Army is a major military force in Libya, formed in the aftermath of the 2011 Libyan Civil War. It is commanded by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and is aligned with the House of Representatives, based in eastern Libya. The force has been a central actor in the country's protracted conflicts, controlling significant territory and engaging in major offensives, including the prolonged Battle of Tripoli (2019–2020).

History

The origins of the Libyan National Army trace back to elements of the former Libyan Armed Forces and various Zintan and Cyrenaican militias that coalesced after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. It was formally organized under the command of Khalifa Haftar, who launched Operation Dignity in 2014 against Islamist factions in Benghazi. This campaign marked the start of the Second Libyan Civil War, pitting the force against the Government of National Accord in Tripoli. Key engagements include the Battle of Derna (2018–2019) and the pivotal Battle of Tripoli (2019–2020), which ended in a stalemate leading to a 2020 Libyan ceasefire agreement.

Organization and structure

The structure integrates regular army units with aligned tribal militias and Salafist fighters, forming a coalition often referred to as the Libyan Arab Armed Forces. Major components include the 106th Brigade, the Tariq ibn Ziyad Battalion, and the Al-Saiqa forces. Its primary headquarters is located in Rajma, near Al Bayda, with significant operational commands in Benghazi, Ajdabiya, and Al Jufra. The force also maintains the Libyan Air Force and Naval assets, alongside ground units like the Khalid ibn al-Walid Brigade.

Leadership and command

Supreme command is held by Khalifa Haftar, who holds the title of General Commander and was promoted to Field Marshal by the House of Representatives in 2016. Key deputies and field commanders have included his sons, Saddam Haftar and Khalid Haftar, as well as figures like Abdulrazzaq al-Nadhuri and Al-Mabrouk Al-Ghazawi. The Chief of Staff position has been held by officers such as Abdulrazzaq al-Nadhuri, with advisory roles filled by former CIA affiliate Abdullah Senussi and political strategist Aguila Saleh Issa.

Role in the Libyan Civil War

The force has been a principal belligerent in the post-2014 conflicts, initially fighting Ansar al-Sharia and the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council in Operation Dignity. It expanded its control over Cyrenaica and the Libyan oil ports before launching the Western Libya campaign (2019–2020) against the Government of National Accord in Tripoli. Despite support from Wagner Group contractors and UAE drones, the Battle of Tripoli (2019–2020) failed, leading to renewed hostilities around Sirte and the Al Jufra airbase until the 2020 Libyan ceasefire agreement.

International relations and recognition

The force receives substantial military and diplomatic support from several states, most notably the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Russia, and France. Key backers provide equipment such as MiG-29 aircraft and Wing Loong drones, while the Wagner Group has deployed mercenaries. It is recognized as the official military by the House of Representatives and governments like Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, but is opposed by the United Nations-backed Government of National Unity and regional actors like Turkey and Qatar.

Equipment and capabilities

Its inventory is a mix of legacy Libyan Armed Forces equipment and modern foreign-supplied systems. Ground forces operate T-72 and T-62 tanks, BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, and Grad artillery. The air force utilizes MiG-21, MiG-23, and Su-24 aircraft, alongside Mirage F1 fighters and IAI Heron drones supplied by the UAE. Naval assets include Gowind corvettes and patrol boats, with logistical and technical support often facilitated by Egypt and the Wagner Group.

Category:Libya Category:Military of Libya Category:2011 establishments in Libya