Western — 5 Jan 2016

Jan 5, 2016 | International actors

Although ISIS do not control any oil ports yet, new reports suggest that British SAS Special Forces could be preparing to lead an international team to take back control of any oil fields which would fall under ISIS control.

At present this seems infeasible, as the international community first needs the Government of National Accord (GNA) to constitute itself in Tripoli and be endorsed by the HoR, before it formally requests international support against ISIS.

After the attack on Sidra, the internationally recognized NOC in Tripoli issued an urgent plea to the Libyan people calling them to unify against ISIS before it is too late, stating that on its own the NOC is helpless to defend the Libyan patrimony against this deliberate destruction. Such statements are likely to provide a possible justification  for a western intervention against ISIS in the event of a complete fragmentation of the current political landscape and the inability of the GNA to gain traction.