Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Analysis: Strategic Significance of Libya's Sirte, Jufra!


Sun 21 Jun 2020 | 12:28 PM

Thanks to its strategic importance in achieving Egypt's national security, and the stability of Libya and the Libyans, the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El Sisi, considered the Sirte and Al-Jufra area in Libya red lines.

The city of Sirte is about a thousand kilometers from the Egyptian border, and it is halfway between Tripoli and Benghazi on the Libyan coast. It is located about 450 kilometers from the capital Tripoli and 600 kilometers from Benghazi.

[caption id="attachment_110465" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Sirte Turkey Libyan Libya boy carries a sign reading Libya is not a place for terrorism' A boy carries a sign reading Libya is not a place for terrorism'[/caption]

It also opens the way for controlling oil ports in the Libyan Crescent region in eastern Libya, which includes the largest oil reserves in the country.

There are important military bases such as Al-Qardabiya airbase, which is 16 kilometers south of Sirte. There is also Al-Jufra airbase, which is one of the largest Libyan military bases.

Sirte is the main operations room for the Libyan army forces and a liaison room between the regions of eastern and western Libya. The city's airport and port are one of the most important main ports in Libya.

Strategic Importance of Al Jufra

Al-Jafra Air Force Base is located in the north of Sirte. It is one of the largest Libyan air bases, and it is characterized by its strong infrastructure that has been modernized, in order to accommodate the new and latest weapons.

The base also forms a key operations room for the Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

As for the Al-Jafra area, it is also important because it is located in the center of the country, which is about 650 km southeast of Tripoli.

This town is linking between East, West, and South of Libya. Accordingly, controlling the base of Jafra almost means controlling the entire Libyan half.

Sisi: Libya's Sirte, Jufra Redlines

In a related context, President Sisi stressed Egypt’s full readiness to provide support to the Libyan people, adding that “We in Egypt have great respect and appreciation and have not interfered in Libya’s affairs and always ready to provide support, for the sake of Libya’s stability.”

[caption id="attachment_133371" align="aligncenter" width="990"]Libya Sisi Sirte Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi[/caption]

He affirmed that Egypt “Has no interests” in Libya, but security and stability, adding that “Cities of Sirte and Al-Jufra are red lines.”

“Only the people of Libya will defend their country and Egypt is ready to help and support them.”

Addressing the Libyan tribal leaders, President Sisi said that “We have neither invaded other countries, nor assaulted states’ sovereignty.”