17 Jul 2017 | 03:54 PM UTC
Libya: Benghazi airport reopens July 15
Benghazi's international airport reopens July 15 after being closed for three years due to the civil war
Event
On Saturday, July 15, Benghazi's Benina International Airport (BEN) reopened for commercial flights after being closed for three years due to fighting in Benghazi. The first flights were destined for the capital Tripoli, the southeastern district of Kufra, and Amman, Jordan. Additional flights are scheduled to and from the western city of Zintan, Tunis, Tunisia, Istanbul, Turkey, and Alexandria, Egypt. Libyan Airlines and Afriqiyah Airways, two state-owned companies, operate the flights.
Context
Benina International Airport (BEN) is located east of Benghazi, where heavy fighting occurred after Khalifa Haftar's forces initiated an offensive against Islamist militant groups during the summer of 2014.
Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced victory in the battle against Islamist militias in Benghazi on Wednesday, July 5. LNA forces had been battling the Islamist Revolutionary Shura Council of Benghazi (RSCB) and the Salafist Jihadist Ansar Al-Sharia (AAS) since the launch of the 2014 campaign to reclaim the city. The May 2017 push to defeat the militias was focused on the Souq Al-Hout and Sabri neighborhoods. Despite the victory announcement, reports surfaced on Friday, July 7, that fighting in the Sabri neighborhood is ongoing and has left at least 12 LNA soldiers dead and 35 wounded. Although the final few buildings have now been retaken, clearance operations remain ongoing and sporadic incidents are still being reported including the use of body-borne improvised explosive devices (BBIEDs). Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have also been triggered by soldiers and civilians who have returned to inspect their homes against LNA advice.
While the Benina airport was closed, air travel was redirected to Labraq International Airport (LAQ), approximately 230 km (140 mi) northeast of Benghazi.
Advice
The security environment in Libya remains complex. Although travel is permissible in some areas, other areas should be considered strictly off limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.
