The Egyptian intervention in Libya has been substantial since the beginning of the civil war. The intervention started after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (
ISIL) released a video of the beheading of 21 Egyptians on February 12th, 2015. In response, Egypt
launched airstrikes on the 16th of February that same year. After that incident, Egypt became increasingly involved with Libya's internal politics.
On February 12th,
ISIL released
a video of the group beheading
Coptic Christians, all of which were Egyptians. On 16 February 2015, Egyptian F-16s
struck weapons caches and training camps of the
Islamic State (ISIS) in Libya. The air strikes killed 64 ISIS fighters, including three leaders in
Derna and
Sirte on the coast.[15] and 55 were captured in ground assaults.[16] 7 civilians were also killed by the air strike.[17] On July 19th, at least 21 Egyptian troops were killed near the Libyan border by an Islamist group.[18]
2018
Egypt and the
UAE carried out multiple airstrikes in
Derna in May, June, and September against ISIL.[19][20] However, the Libyan Express released a video alleging that Egyptian soldiers were at the front line alongside the
Libyan National Army.[21]
2019
On April 5th, Egypt expressed its deep concern over a campaign in
Tripoli and urged all sides to avoid escalation. Egypt also announced its commitment to UN efforts to find a political solution to the
Libyan Crisis, adding that a political solution is the only option.[22] On April 9th,
Egypt expressed support for the
Libyan National Army and its push to dismantle all remaining militias, and also cautioned against foreign intervention in the conflict.[23] On 14 April, President of
Egypt,
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, met with LNA Field Marshal
Khalifa Haftar in
Cairo[24] and announced his support for the LNA's counterterrorism efforts, stating that "the fight toward terrorism"..."allows the establishment of a stable and sovereign civil state, and will start the reconstruction of Libya in various fields."[25]
2020
On July 5th, Egyptian warplanes hit a site where Turkey was allegedly building a military base.[26]