If the United States government is hoping to ameliorate the situation in Syria, then it must not act like the United States government, according to the United States government.
Responding to Al-Quds reporter Said Arikat’s comments that “Syria could go Libya’s way” and “if Assad is toppled, we could see another Libya,” State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said at a Wednesday press briefing that the scenario is an American concern.
“You speak to a good point, Said.” Harf commented, before repeating the Obama administration’s call for a political solution to Syria’s brutal conflict.
“You’re right there’s not just some sort of military solution and then there’s no one in control,” she added. “That can lead to a much worse situation than there already is, which is already a bad situation.”
In March 2011, President Obama authorized “limited military action in Libya” as part of an alleged multilateral effort “to protect Libyan civilians.” That campaign eventually led to the overthrow and killing of former Libyan dictator, Muammar Qaddafi.The situation has since spiraled downward. This year, one Prime Minister was ousted. His successor’s government was declared invalid by the country’s high court. And while much of the world’s attention has since focused on Syria–currently, with respect to the US-led campaign against the Islamic State–fighting has intensified in Libya this year.
Hours before the State Department briefing, the US, its European allies, and the UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs issued a joint statement about combat in the Mediterranean country–the latest developments in what appears to be a civil war. The communique “expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation” and “condemned recent violence, including air strikes.”
The air raids were carried out Tuesday by forces loyal to Libya’s internationally recognized government, hitting targets in Zuwara, a town roughly 60 kilometers east of the Tunisian border, and 110 kilometers west of Tripoli.
Al-Jazeera reported Wednesday that the attack killed eight people–two Libyan nationals and six African workers–and wounded 24 others. While the loyalist forces said they were targeting “terrorists” allegedly transporting militants and weaponry, sources inside the city cited by the Qatari news service purported to show video footage of a destroyed warehouse and torn sacks of flour. The video featured a voice-over mocking the justification for the bombardment.
The loyalist forces, led by a former general named Khalid Haftar, are fighting Islamist insurgents, according to Voice of America.
Last month, Egypt’s military ruler, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi urged the United States and Europe to help Haftar’s forces, based in the eastern city of Tobruk. Tripoli is under Islamist control.
But the last time NATO decided to get involved in Libya, it set off events that led to the ongoing carnage. According to one observer of the conflict, over 2,500 Libyans have paid with their lives in 2014 alone.
For now, it appears that the US is somewhat contrite about its prominent role in the tragedy.
