What happened in Al-Awaynat on January 9th cannot be separated from Saddam Haftar’s visit to Cairo just two days later. Saddam Haftar’s Visit: A Summons, Not a Courtesy CallIt was against this backdrop that Saddam Haftar’s visit to Cairo on January 11th occurred. Egypt had previously attempted to bring Burhan and Haftar together, urging Haftar to cut ties with the Rapid Support Forces. He denied everything, despite mounting evidence: international reports, satellite imagery, and flight-tracking data showing weapons and fuel moving from Kufra through Al-Awaynat. The strike in Al-Awaynat was the opening of a message; the Cairo visit was its conclusion.

Source: Libya Observer January 17, 2026 12:44 UTC