In response to escalating tensions, the Canadian government has once again cautioned its citizens against traveling to Libya. The renewed advisory highlights the deteriorating security and political conditions, especially in the aftermath of recent fighting in Tripoli.
It advised those presently in Libya to depart via commercial routes, as soon as possible. This warning underscores the recent decline in security, predominantly in Tripoli and its neighbouring regions, referencing the latest skirmishes that led to a significant number of casualties.
Emphasising the prevailing volatile security conditions, the advisory cites potential terrorist attacks, ongoing armed disputes, and a fragile political landscape fraught with unpredictability and elevated crime.
It highlighted that radical groups have both threatened and executed attacks, primarily focusing on Western citizens and their interests.
These incidents target a range of establishments including governmental infrastructure, educational institutions, embassies, worship places, airports, transport systems, security posts, and public spots. This includes areas frequented by tourists such as eateries, cafes, shopping precincts, markets, and other locations with a high concentration of foreigners.
According to the Canadian government portal, even foreign officials, diplomats, aid workers, and those in the private sector aren’t exempt from these threats.
Libya continues to grapple with political instability, characterised by the near-collapse of its conventional security infrastructure, and recurrent clashes amongst militias, often erupting without prior warning.
Given this backdrop, Canadians in Libya are urged to maintain heightened awareness, heed guidelines from local authorities, secure essential provisions like food and water, and stay sheltered during bouts of armed conflicts.
The advisory also stresses the importance of avoiding participation in public demonstrations or gatherings, and remains wary of the increasing instances of abductions, especially targeting foreigners.
The advisory further casts a spotlight on the dangers of Libya’s border areas. Especially given that the boundaries with Niger, Chad, Sudan, and Tunisia present elevated risks, due to the active presence of militant and criminal groups.
Regularly, border checkpoints, particularly those adjoining Egypt and Tunisia, face abrupt closures. Unauthorised ventures into these border zones, without formal documents or prior clearance from local entities are strongly discouraged. However, officially sanctioned land border crossings with Egypt and Tunisia are exceptions to this rule.
The Canadian government also points to the rampant proliferation of arms within Libya, coupled with a spike in car heists, armed hold-ups, and large swathes of the country remaining beyond the purview of governmental forces.
Travels on roads in the southeast pose mine risks and potential threats of abductions, lootings, or terror strikes. The coastal corridors in eastern Libya are especially treacherous, given the persistent factional clashes and the looming threat of abductions by extremist elements.