Libya beheadings strengthen anti-Islamist agenda

Significance

The strikes were in response to a video released by the Islamic State group (ISG) yesterday showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Copts who had been kidnapped from Sirte on two separate occasions on December 31 and January 3. Brigadier Saqer al-Joroushi, who commands the air force for the armed group of former General Khalifa Haftar, said the strikes were carried out in coordination between them and Egypt. He added that further strikes were going to take place.

Impacts

• The beheadings are sharpening divisions within the moderate Islamist Libya Dawn camp.
• This might trigger a confrontation between its more moderate elements and the more radical ones.
• The killings will reinforce popular Egyptian support for Sisi and his anti-Islamist agenda.