UAE Plans New Offensive in Libya to Expand Influence and Control Key Resources
Abu Dhabi Strengthens Support for Haftar with Secret Military and Political Strategies Amid Rising Tensions in North Africa.
Watan-Diplomatic sources revealed that the United Arab Emirates is planning a new battle in Libya to serve its aggressive goals and expand its influence in the country, including attempts to control its resources, wealth, and influence decision-making circles.
The sources warned of Abu Dhabi’s plans to redraw the lines of fire in Libya and enhance its military, financial, and political presence with warlord Khalifa Haftar’s militias.
According to the sources, UAE National Security Adviser Tahnoun bin Zayed and Faris Al-Mazrouei have begun implementing a secret plan to re-establish Khalifa Haftar’s military and political influence before any expected international settlement.
UAE Expands Support for Haftar in Libya Amid Regional Tensions
The current UAE operations include: financing new elite military units loyal to Haftar under the supervision of Emirati officers, arms supplies through European intermediaries to bypass UN restrictions, and sending political messages to Turkey to neutralize Turkish intervention that halted Haftar in 2020.
The sources mentioned that the UAE regime is compelled to continue coordination with the Egyptian regime on the Libyan file, even though differences over Sudan have deepened to dangerous levels, where each party now treats the other as a temporary, rather than strategic, ally.
This forces Abu Dhabi to maintain friendly relations with the Egyptian regime, fearing the loss of support for Haftar, knowing that Egypt is the only obstacle preventing Turkey from completely ending Haftar’s presence in Libya.
Through its new and old conspiracies in Libya, the UAE aims to solidify Haftar as the de facto authority in the east of the country, control the oil crescent before the UN imposes a new political map, and guarantee naval influence extending from Benghazi’s shores to the Mediterranean gateway.
UAE’s Escalating Role in Libya’s Conflict: Money, Weapons, and Military Support for Haftar
Thus, Abu Dhabi is moving through money, weapons, and proxies to trigger a new battle in Libya, amid warnings that the current apparent calm is a deception, and what is being cooked up in Libya now could reignite all fronts.
The UAE’s intervention in Libya dates back to 2011. The UAE viewed Libya as a central battleground for the post-revolutionary system after the Arab uprisings of 2011, aiming to reduce the role of Islamist parties, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, in governance.
This policy crystallized into exclusive political and military support for General Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan Arab Armed Forces in 2014.
UAE’s Strategic Support for Haftar: Military Aid and Regional Influence
To support Haftar’s war efforts against Islamists and political opponents in eastern Libya, the UAE balanced between unilateral intervention and directing support through Egypt as an intermediary, exploiting the land border between Egypt and Libya.
It also used its soft power in the Elysee, supporting France’s push to provide military and diplomatic support to the Libyan general.
The UAE’s military support for Haftar peaked in 2019-2020, drawing negative attention that increased its reputation losses within the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. During Haftar’s offensive, the UAE carried out hundreds of drone strikes on his behalf, supplied him with weapons and aircraft fuel, and financed Sudanese mercenaries who fought with the Libyan armed forces.
Despite this, Haftar’s war efforts faced setbacks, prompting Abu Dhabi to adjust its foreign policy to preempt increased scrutiny on its military adventures.
