Synchronization of the escalation of a hole with the mobility of Algeria .. Are innocent?

Islam Abdel-Hai-Algeria

Recent military developments in Libya have raised concerns among some Algerians over what observers said was "not innocent" to coincide with the peaceful popular movement that has been taking place in the country since February.

The retired general Khalifa Hafer launched a military operation on the outskirts of the capital Tripoli, just days before the start of the national dialogue conference in the city of Ghadames (south-west) under the auspices of the United Nations.

In the first official response to the Algerian Foreign Ministry, it stressed that it was following with great concern the latest developments in Libya and called on the parties to the conflict to be reasonable and to give priority to the political solution.

The statement issued by the ministry on Saturday that "any military escalation may hamper the ongoing efforts, and impede the course of resolving the crisis in this brotherly and neighboring country," and called for "a comprehensive dialogue between all Libyan parties under the auspices of the United Nations and away from any foreign interference."

Algeria and Libya share an estimated 982 kilometers, all located in the south-east of Algeria.

Timing escalation
Algerian observers consider that Haftar's desire to control Tripoli at this particular time is "not innocent," and that the timing of the escalation is not without the characteristics of the mentality of the "militia" that Hafer thinks.

"The timing of the operation led by Haftar is not innocent. There are regional parties that have instructed him to carry out this military operation in order to destroy the political process that was agreed upon a week ago and with the blessing of the United Nations," said Mohammad Omaroun, a professor of political science and international relations.

He told Al-Jazeera Net that Hafar had become "part of the problem" and complicates the Libyan scene, once viewed as part of the solution.

For his part, security expert Omar bin Jana said that "Hafer leads a group of militias that do not exceed arming light infantry, and moves more internal than external, aimed at the acquisition of the capital Tripoli, taking advantage of the peaceful popular movement witnessed by Algeria."

He added to Al-Jazeera Net that Hafer would not succeed in his endeavor "because the geopolitical environment rejects all its movements, and the internal environment also rejects the process it is leading."

Any repercussions?
Observers say Hafater is seen in Algeria as a facade of external forces, and his negative view has increased after he threatened in September 2018 to transfer the war to Algeria in a short time because of border control problems, despite the apology of Ahmed al-Mesmari, spokesman for the so-called " Libyan army ", to Algeria what was issued by its leader Hafter.

Haftar's moves come days after the terrorist attacks in Mali, which Omar believes will revive the work of terrorist groups and arms smugglers, which means "a further threat on the Algerian border."

"The security concerns of the Algerian army are increasing with the accompanying political process, and thus here is an attempt to disperse its efforts and give it a security and submerge it politically, which constitutes a threat to the national security of Algeria," according to Amron.

On the other hand, Omar bin Jana believes that the operation led by Hafer inside his country poses no danger to Algeria, but rather "geopolitical and not geo-strategic" (in terms of its impact on the border, not on the military side).

He added that the movements of Haftar is very limited and Algeria does not worry in security, because peaceful movement gave full comfort to the army, which remains mobilized against all external threats.

Deal with the army
Diplomats describe Algerian foreign policy as a firm and well-known non-interference in the internal affairs of states. The constitutional army's tasks also lie in "protecting the national territory from any foreign intervention."

In this circumstance in Algeria, Mohamed Omaroun explained that Hafar's attack on Tripoli was relatively remote from the Algerian border.

These borders are defined as an intensive military presence of Algerian forces after the terrorist attacks on the Tectinur gas field in January 2012.

On the other hand, the security expert Omar bin Jana that the peaceful popular movement does not require the recruitment and entrenchment of the army, and will never affect the location and spread of armed forces stationed on the borders of the country.