Egyptian intervention in Libya (2015–2020)

The Egyptian intervention in Libya has been substantial since the beginning of the Libyan civil war. The intervention started after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) released a video of the beheading of 21 Egyptians on 12 February 2015. In response, Egypt launched airstrikes on 16 February, that same year. After that incident, Egypt became increasingly involved with Libya's internal politics.

Egyptian intervention in Libya (2015–2020)
Part of the Libyan civil war (2014–2020) and the War against the Islamic State
The situation in June 2020
Date 12 February 2015 – 26 October 2020[1] Location Libya, with spillovers in Egypt Result Ceasefire;[1] ISIL ground targets destroyed by the Egyptian Air Force[2][3] Khalifa Haftars failed attempt at capturing Tripoli[4]
Belligerents
Egypt  United Arab Emirates[5][6][7][8]  Chad[9] In Support of: Tobruk Government Supported by:  Greece[10]  France[11]	ISIL[12]	Government of National Accord  Turkey[10] Supported by:  Qatar[13]
Units involved
Egyptian Armed Forces  Egyptian Army (from 20 July 2020)[14]  Egyptian Air Force[12]  Egyptian Navy United Arab Emirates Armed Forces  United Arab Emirates Air Force Chad National Army  Chadian Ground Forces	Military of ISIL	Libyan Ground Forces (GNA-aligned) Turkish Armed Forces  Turkish Land Forces  Turkish Air Force  Turkish Navy Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army

Timeline

2015

See also: 2015 kidnapping and beheading of Copts in Libya and February 2015 Egyptian airstrikes in Libya

On 12 February, ISIL released a video of the group beheading Coptic Christians, all of which were Egyptians. On 16 February 2015, Egyptian F-16s struck weapons caches and training camps of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Libya. The air strikes killed 64 ISIS fighters, including three leaders in Derna and Sirte on the coast.^[15] 55 were captured in ground assaults.^[16] 7 civilians were also killed by the air strike.^[17]

2018

Egypt and the UAE carried out multiple airstrikes in Derna in May, June, and September against ISIL.^[18][19] However, the Libyan Express released a video alleging that Egyptian soldiers were at the front line alongside the Libyan National Army.^[20]

2019

On 5 April, Egypt expressed its deep concern over a campaign in Tripoli and urged all sides to avoid escalation. Egypt also announced its commitment to UN efforts to find a political solution to the Libyan Crisis, adding that a political solution is the only option.^[21] On 9 April, Egypt expressed support for the Libyan National Army and its push to dismantle all remaining militias, and also cautioned against foreign intervention in the conflict.^[22] On 14 April, President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, met with LNA Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in Cairo^[23] and announced his support for the LNA's counterterrorism efforts, stating that "the fight toward terrorism"..."allows the establishment of a stable and sovereign civil state, and will start the reconstruction of Libya in various fields."^[24]

2020

On 5 July, Egyptian warplanes hit a site where Turkey was allegedly building a military base.^[25]

On 19 July, The Egyptian President made public threats to the Government of National Accord (GNA) that Egypt would deploy troops if Sirte were to be captured, which was viewed by the GNA as a declaration of war.^[26] The next day, Egypt deployed an undisclosed number of troops into Libya. Many politicians and news sources say due to Turkish military intervention in Libya from earlier in 2020.