According to Robyn Mack, ISIS-Libya would maintain its current strategy, which focuses on rebuilding its operational capabilities and exploiting areas under Libyan control, to destabilize the country and disrupt the political process. On December 26, a group of gunmen blasted a pipeline pumping crude oil to Al-Sidra port, cutting Libya’s oil production by up to 100,000 barrels per day (bpd), igniting world crude oil prices. According to some experts, Libyan instability offers extremist groups an opportunity to operate in a country where thousands of migrants and refugees are trapped suffering abuse and mistreatment. And although ISIS no longer holds territory, cells of fighters remain active across the country. The oil-rich country’s economy has collapsed, and Libyans are struggling with persistent energy, food and water shortages.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 03, 2018 23:37 UTC