Libyan National Army Captures Fighters Accused of Smuggling Arms and Drugs Across Southern Borders
Amateur videos show Libyan National Army soldiers capturing individuals from Chad, Libya, and Niger, accused of smuggling weapons and drugs in the Fezzan region. Efforts by the LNA to control this area, framed as combating terrorism, face local resistance and contribute to regional instability and arms trafficking issues.
hassan benyoub 
Amateur videos purportedly showing soldiers of the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, have emerged, depicting the capture of individuals identified as Chadians, Libyans, and Nigeriens following recent clashes in the southern border regions with Niger and Chad.
???????? ???????? ???????? FLASH | Des vidéos amateurs des soldats de l'Armée Nationale Libyenne du maréchal, Khalifa #Haftar, montrent la capture de tchadiens, libyens et nigériens après les récents combats dans les #frontières sud avec le #Niger et le Tchad.
Ces militants sont accusés de… https://t.co/pr89s5gU9R pic.twitter.com/bvJBPuEL5B — La Revue Afrique (@larevueafrique) February 16, 2025
These fighters are accused of trafficking significant quantities of contraband, including weapons, drugs, fuel, and other goods, to Libyan separatist groups operating in the Fezzan region.
The LNA has been attempting to assert control over the Fezzan region, framing its operations as efforts to combat terrorism and criminal activities. However, this has been met with resistance from local groups and has, in some instances, contributed to instability and insecurity.
The Fezzan region has become a hub for arms trafficking, with weapons from Libya finding their way into regional black markets. A report highlighted the complex factors contributing to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the coastal and West African regions.
The presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters in Libya continues to pose a major challenge to security. The alleged involvement of Chadians, Nigeriens, and Libyans in cross-border smuggling underscores the complex regional dynamics at play
