Libya: UN, US Sanction Pro-GNA Militia Leader

A militia leader aligned with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) Wednesday was targeted by UN and US sanctions for attacking oil facilities in Eastern Libya, in June.

Ibrahim Jadhran’s forces attacked Ras Lanuf and al-Sidra oil export terminals last June. The terminals were under the control of eastern Libya strongman Khalifa Haftar’s forces.

Jadhran’s forces lost sway over the terminal in 2016 after Haftar overran Libya’s oil crescent.

The June attacks according to the State Department “created an economic and political crisis that cost Libya more than $1.4 billion in revenue and set back efforts to promote political progress and stability in Libya.”

“Libya’s oil facilities, production and revenues belong to the Libyan people.”

The sanctions entail that Jadhran’s assets under US jurisdictions will be frozen. Americans are prohibited from dealing with the militia leader who is also banned from traveling to the United States.

The State Department indicated that the UN also imposed similar sanctions on the militia leader who has been connected to the GNA.

In 2016, the International Criminal Court (ICC) received complaint by Libyan American Public Affairs Council (LAPAC) against Jadhran for closing the petroleum fields and ports in central Libya and weakened the Libyan economy.