Haftar’s forces lose control of Libya’s oil crescent

The Benghazi Defence Brigade has taken control of the oil crescent area east of Sirte from Brigadier General Khalifa Haftar’s forces, the group’s spokesperson announced today.

The oil crescent ports in Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra had been captured by Haftar’s forces and those loyal to the eastern House of Representatives in early September.

Benghazi Defence Brigade (BDB) spokesman Ahmed Al Shirksi proposed that the aim of the operation was to help those who had been displaced return to their homes after years of displacement.

Political comments

The BDB has had reluctant support from the Government of National Accord (GNA)’s defence minister who had stated that the attacks “show nobody can control Libya by force” another reference to the eastern military man Haftar.

The operation comes only a few days after Chief of Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) Idriss Saleh Abu Khamada claimed his forces will take over oil ports in the coming days.

The spokesman also denied claims made by the dignity operations affiliating the group to Al-Qaeda saying that the group does not follow any party or terrorist organisation and will fight terrorism all over Libya.