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Madkhali-Salafi influence in Libya may spread further

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Significance

A component of key armed factions in both east and west, they have used their resulting military strength to impose their anti-democratic worldview and hardline social agenda. Their rise has alarmed many, including civil society advocates and religious minorities who fear further targeting, and has led to clashes in some areas.

Impacts

  • Growing Madkhali influence threatens Libya’s already constrained civil society space.
  • Libyan women, who have seen their public role diminished, fear that a more empowered Madkhali current could accelerate the trend.
  • Madkhali preaching against Western organisations risks stoking wider anti-Western sentiment that can affect investment opportunities.

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