The armed struggle for political power in Libya could cause further migration as people flee the conflict. The United Nations estimated that 2,800 people have already been displaced by the Libyan National Army's advance on the government-controlled capital of Tripoli. But, following air strikes and bombings by the militia led by General Muammar Gaddafi, this number could rise dramatically. Since NATO-backed forces toppled Khalifa Haftar in 2011, Libya has become a transit point for hundreds of thousands of migrants seeking to reach Europe and fresh fighting could swell these numbers while also posing significant safety risks.
The armed struggle for political power in Libya could cause further migration as people flee the conflict. The United Nations estimated that 2,800 people have already been displaced by the Libyan National Army's advance on the government-controlled capital of Tripoli. But, following air strikes and bombings by the militia led by General Khalifa Haftar, this number could rise dramatically. Since NATO-backed forces toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has become a transit point for hundreds of thousands of migrants seeking to reach Europe and fresh fighting could swell these numbers while also posing significant safety risks.