Libya unity plan shaken by claims over Haftar son's drone role
Tripoli officials say working with Saddam Haftar is now seen as impossible after he was allegedly linked to drone attacks on fuel and power sites in western Libya, casting doubt on a US-backed unity plan.
What happened
Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) and son of commander Khalifa Haftar, has been accused of overseeing a cell that used drones to strike energy infrastructure in western Libya. The alleged attacks targeted fuel storage and power facilities, including a petrol tank in Zawiya holding about 4.5 million litres, which caught fire and collapsed.
In early September, three Libyans said to belong to the LNA’s Tareq ben Ziyad brigade and a Spanish citizen were arrested in southern Tripoli. Intelligence sources cited in the reporting say information from their questioning could weaken Khalifa Haftar. A security source close to the LNA has dismissed the claims linking Saddam Haftar to the cell as implausible, and the LNA has not been shown to accept the allegations. The public prosecutor has kept its findings confidential.
Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) had earlier announced it dismantled a cell behind drone attacks on energy sites, including oil storage tanks in Tripoli, the Zawiya refinery and the Zawiya power station. The August strikes caused a fuel tank fire, cut more than 700 MW of power capacity and forced a partial shutdown of the Zawiya refinery.
Why it matters
Sources in the GNU say that, although no formal decision has been taken, it is now impossible for them to work with Saddam Haftar. This threatens a US-backed plan promoted by Trump adviser Massad Boulos to merge Libya’s rival governments, under which GNU leader Abdul Hamid Dbeibah would stay in office and Saddam Haftar would become president, with US companies encouraged to invest in Libya’s oilfields. Saddam Haftar has met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and backed the plan. If Tripoli refuses to deal with him, the initiative could collapse, prolonging Libya’s political split. The alleged use of drones against fuel and power sites also directly harms civilians in western Libya through power cuts and fuel shortages, in a country already under a UN arms embargo where combat drones have been documented at LNA bases.
The context
- The GNU's defence ministry announced in early September that it had dismantled a cell behind drone attacks on energy sites. Five suspects were arrested. The targets included oil storage tanks in Tripoli, the Zawiya refinery and the Zawiya power station. The government did not publicly name who was behind the attacks.
- The August drone strikes caused a fuel tank fire, cut more than 700 MW of power capacity and forced a partial shutdown of the Zawiya refinery, Libya's largest operating facility.
- A security source close to the LNA dismissed claims linking Saddam Haftar to the cell as implausible. The public prosecutor's office has kept its findings confidential.
- Under the US plan led by Massad Boulos, GNU leader Abdul Hamid Dbeibah would continue to lead the government and Saddam Haftar would serve as president. In return, the US would encourage its companies to invest in Libya's oilfields. Saddam Haftar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington and backed the plan.
- Libya has been under a UN arms embargo since 2011. Satellite images showed combat drones at the LNA-controlled Al Khadim airbase in eastern Libya.