Algeria: Coordination between three neighbouring countries to prevent oil smuggling

Three states neighbouring Libya have begun coordinated security operations to prevent the smuggling of oil and its derivatives through land and sea, which is considered one of the most important financing resources for armed groups in the country, Anadolu Agency reported.

An Algerian security source told journalists on condition of anonymity that experts and security officers from Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria met in Algiers at the beginning of January to coordinate efforts to prevent oil smuggling from Libya by trucks overland and through small vessels by sea. He commented that this would be achieved through patrolling the Libyan border from each of the three countries.

The source added that rival armed factions in Libya depend on oil smuggling for their revenues, and thus the prevention of smuggling could lead to a lull in the fighting. This would benefit the Libyan people and increase their chances of reaching a political solution to the crisis, he said.

“Libya’s neighbouring countries are working to prevent the smuggling of oil due to fears that the oil smugglers are linked with Salafi jihadist groups belonging to ISIS and Al-Qaeda,” he added.

On 13 December 2014, gun battles flared near the oil crescent region in eastern Libya, after the Libya Dawn militia, which has control of Tripoli and consists of rebels from Misrata, Zawiya and Gharyan, waged an attack in an attempt to control the area as part of an operation called “Libya Sunrise”.

Libya is currently witnessing a political division between liberals and Islamists. The gulf between the two has recently widened, resulting in the emergence of two wings of power in the country, each with its own institutions. The first wing is the parliament – which is based in the city of Tobruk in the East and has been recently dissolved by the Supreme Constitutional Court.

The second wing comprises the General National Congress – the previous parliament that has recently resumed its sessions – along with head of government Omar Hassi and Army Chief of Staff Jadallahal-Obeidi (who had been sacked by the House of Representatives).