On Monday, the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA) decided to block the southern border with Sudan, according to an official source.
In press statements, the source indicated that the army had sent military reinforcements to the southern city of Kufra, amid growing security concerns in the neighbouring country.
The source pointed out that members of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who were deployed in the border triangle area in recent years, have been withdrawn.
He noted that a number of prominent Libyan military officials inspected Kufra. This is to follow up on the military needs required to protect the city, which is considered the first line of defence for southern Libya.
Earlier today, the Libyan Embassy in Sudan said that 105 nationals have been evacuated to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The Embassy stated that the Libyans who were evacuated were employees of the diplomatic mission and their families, students, and employees of Libyan institutions operating in Sudan. They were evacuated by sea through Port Sudan to Jeddah.
Days ago, the Libyan Embassy in Sudan announced that it has evacuated 83 stranded Libyans in Khartoum, transferring them to safer places. The evacuated Libyans were moved to the city of Port Sudan, as a first step before arranging their repatriation to Libya.
Notably, a high-ranking Libyan military official warned of the repercussions of the armed clashes in Sudan, on the situation in Libya.
The Commander of the Military Organization and Administration Authority in southern Libya, Brigadier General Abdel-Salam Al-Busaifi urged the Chiefs of Staff in the East and West of Libya to quickly assign striking military forces to protect the southern city, and prevent any infiltration and to station reconnaissance planes at Kufra Airport.”
“I think it will be a long-term war, and we have to close our border like what Chad has done since the start of the clashes in Sudan,” Al-Bousaifi said in press statements. He pointed out that the southeast region would be most affected if the clashes spread to Libya.
The recent clashes between the Sudanese Army and paramilitary forces have resulted in a volatile situation. This prompted local authorities to issue advisories to expatriates, including the Libyan community.
On the other hand, the Libyan Embassy in Khartoum also issued an advisory to Libyan nationals, urging them to remain indoors and avoid any unnecessary travel until further notice. The Embassy has set up helpline numbers to provide assistance and support to the Libyan community, in case of emergencies.
“The safety and security of Libyan nationals abroad are of utmost importance, and the Libyan government is actively monitoring the situation in Sudan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in constant contact with the Libyan Embassy in Sudan, and is taking necessary steps to ensure the safety and welfare of Libyan citizens in the country,” read the statement.
Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire and tank shelling last week, after failed negotiations between the army, paramilitary, and civilian groups over a long-awaited power-sharing deal following a coup in October 2021. The army and paramilitary sides confirmed that fighting was underway.
The violence is the latest setback in a long-delayed transition to a civilian government following the ousting of dictator Omar Al-Bashir in 2019, after months of street protests.
