Sirte – The Libyan City Abandoned by Libyans

All Libyans seem to have found unity in their reaction to the atrocities committed by the so called Islamic State in the city.

While forces from the city of Misrata retreated from the city they once claimed they were “protecting and securing” after coming under fierce attack from Islamic State militants. When Misrata’s forces decided to clash with Islamic State militants, the group responded with car bombs and assassinations in the heart of the city of Misrata. However, following the withdrawal of Misrata’s forces from Sirte and ending the confrontations with Islamic State, these car bombs and assassinations targeting the city of Misrata have stopped. It makes one wonder if there is some sort of an unwritten understanding to avoid each other, at least for now.

On the other hand, forces from Libya’s National Army and armed groups in alliance with it in Eastern Libya around a 100km to the East of Sirte sat idle while Islamic State crushed an uprising by the people of Sirte. Crucifixion, beheadings and blowing up of homes have all taken place, while Libyans on both sides of the city continue to watch in silence or at times looking the other way, as if the city of Sirte no longer exists.

What is happening in Sirte is a reflection of the sad trajectory of post-Qaddafi Libya. Divisions, exclusionary politics and each part of the country pulling against the others. It started with labelling entire cities and tribes as “Azlam” or Qaddafi loyalists and that was used as an excuse to exclude cities, tribes and individuals – exclusion in the political, social and security sense.

Currently, the people of Sirte are viewed by some are “Azlam” and by others they are viewed as ” IS supporters or sympathizers” . The people of Sirte do not seem to have the social support from their neighbors due to the stigma attached to the city of Sirte when it comes to the February 17 revolution. In addition, the people of Sirte are left without any military force to stand up to IS, and they are left without weapons to face up to the IS threat by themselves if they choose. The crushing of the recent uprising in Sirte is a harsh reminder of this sad reality.

According to a leading tribal leader i met few days ago, the democratically elected mayor of the city is now a refugee in the neighboring city of Misrata. His home has been blown up by Islamic State militants along with the homes of others who showed dissent against IS’ expansion in Sirte.

Following IS’ defeat in the city of Derna few months ago at the hands of the people of Derna with the help of Derna’s Mujahideen Shura Council – the group is now working hard to avoid the mistakes it made in Derna and is rolling its unpopular social and religious policies at a much faster pace in the city of Sirte. Currently, all women in Sirte covered head to toe, shops are either closed or have to pay taxes to Islamic State – the curriculum and schools are now under the group’s control. Families in the city of Sirte are now being urged to get their children to join IS camps according to the Tribal leader from Sirte who cannot be named for his own security and safety.

The fact that Islamic State has managed to takeover the city of Sirte is the result of  four years of exclusionary politics, injustice and fragmentation of society and state. For Libyans to stand any chance of defeating IS in Sirte and throughout the country a new approach of compassion, inclusivity and respect for human rights are key. A capable civil society and a strong social fabric are pre-requeisits  for the defeat a group like Islamic State that continues to spread on the principle of spreading fear in fragmented societies.