Tuareg militias of Ghat
| Tuareg militia of Ghat | |
|---|---|
| Participant in the Second Libyan Civil War | |
|
Berber flag often used by the Tuareg militias | |
| Active | 2014–Present |
| Ideology | Berberism |
| Area of operations | Fezzan (mainly Ghat District), Libya |
| Opponents |
 Operation Dignity coalition |
| Battles and wars | First Libyan Civil War, Second Libyan Civil War |
Tuareg militias of Ghat are ethnic Tuareg tribal militias, operating in South-West Libya desert areas during the First Libyan Civil War. The militias rose to prominence in the district of Ghat, which has a Tuareg majority. Gradually, the Tuareg forces expanded their hold also into neighbouring districts. The Libyan Tuaregs are supported by Tuaregs of Mali and groups like Ahmed al-Ansari, with support from the Misratan Libyan Dawn forces.[1] Tuareg militias often utilize the Berber flag.[2] Tuareg militias are sometimes identified as one of the main five forces in the Libyan Civil War.[3]
Operations
(For a more detailed map, see military situation in the Libyan Civil War)
2014
Clashes between Tuareg and Tebu tribal militias have repeatedly flared in Ubari at various times during October 2014.[4] The Tebu tribes are affiliated with the Tobruk government in East Libya. On November 5, 2014, a Tuareg militia reportedly seized control of the El Sharara oil field in Fezzan.[5]
2015
In July 2015, clashes between Tuaregs and Tebu tribes reached Sebha, the biggest city in southern Libya, forcing hundreds of families to flee their homes.[6]
Efforts to negotiate a truce between Tuaregs and Tebu in September 2015 halted because the ceasefire was violated.[6]
On 23 November 2015, the Tuareg and Tebu tribal representatives signed a cease fire deal in Doha, Qatar, in the attempt to end the 14 month-long conflict over Obari.[6] Libya Tripoli government welcomed the signing of the ceasefire deal in a statement and thanked Qatar for mediating the process.[6] The ceasefire agreement ended more than a year of violent clashes between the two groups in which more than 300 people had been killed and some 2,000 injured, according to medical sources.[7]
2016
Due to renewed tensions in Ubari, a task force of the Hasawna tribe was dispatched to Ubari in early February 2016 with a mandate to end ongoing clashes between Libya’s Tebu and Tuareg ethnic groups.[7] Reportedly, the move came in line with a ceasefire agreement signed on November 2015 in Doha by Tebu and Tuareg representatives.[7]