Who will write "Sacred Ownership" on Tripoli International Airport ?
The enduring statement of military commander Mokhtar Al-Akhdar remains relevant whenever Libyans discuss the beleaguered Tripoli Airport. In a city like Tripoli, the capital of a country awash in oil and blood, it is logical that the "owner of the airport," meaning whoever controls it, wields significant influence over all of Libya. This might surprise readers unfamiliar with Libya, where air, sea, and land ports are typically under state control, specifically the Ministry of Interior. To the concerned reader, we must state: we have not yet established a state, nor have we had one for over sixty-five years.
Since the February uprising, Tripoli Airport has been outside the Ministry of Interior's control, with military forces from the city of Zintan taking control and leveraging this to gain certain influence within decision-making circles in Tripoli over the years. This continued until 2014 and the well-known war "Libya Dawn," which rendered Tripoli International Airport inoperative due to its destruction by warring factions at that time. Consequently, Tripoli residents and the entire western region turned to Mitiga Airport, controlled by the Special Deterrence Force, marking a new phase for the sole air gateway for over three and a half million Libyans.
Mitiga Airport remained the only gateway for whoever governs Tripoli to the outside world, allowing its controllers to truly permit or deny anyone from leaving Tripoli. However, many observers note that the military force managing Mitiga Airport is more astute than those who previously managed Tripoli International Airport, enabling full Ministry of Interior operations without significant interference and witnessing substantial maintenance and expansion activities over the years.
The airport has also been used for military purposes over the past years, particularly during the 2019 war when General Haftar attempted to seize Tripoli. The airport was also utilized militarily in the fight against smuggling, according to the "Return of Life" government, though opponents argue this was a means to settle scores with rivals in the western region specifically, leveraging superior drone warfare.
Many observers believe the peak of the power and influence of those controlling Tripoli's sole airport, Mitiga, became evident when the Special Deterrence Force forcibly removed Major General Mahmoud Hamza of Brigade 444 from the aircraft of the "Return of Life" government’s Prime Minister, who was beside him, along with Chief of Staff Mohammed Al-Haddad, in a surreal scene showcasing the extent of the influence held by those controlling the air gateway in the Libyan capital. Mahmoud Hamza was led away under force without any intervention from those accompanying him.
Thus, many believe that reopening Tripoli International Airport at this time would be akin to pouring oil on smoldering ashes, reigniting flames, given that all armed groups in Tripoli and the broader western Libya are in a fierce competition to control the airport, which the "Return of Life" government claims is nearly ready for reopening soon.
This is evident, as some see it, in the formation of the Social Council of Souq Al-Jumaa and the four districts, including the Sebia and Qasr Bin Ghashir areas surrounding the airport, represented in this council. Many view this entity as an attempt by the Special Deterrence Force to extend its influence to the local community around the new airport, facilitating a calm military presence there.
Furthermore, the 111 Brigade, led by Al-Zoubi, will not agree to be excluded from securing (controlling) the airport, especially as its forces are spread throughout that area, along with its neighbor and ally Abdelghani Al-Kikli, who shares this space, not to mention the General Security Apparatus whose commander (Interior Minister of the "Return of Life" government) Emad Al-Trabelsi is trying to extend his influence over the airport. Many believe it is impossible to separate Emad Al-Trabelsi, the Interior Minister who demands his ministry's legitimate authority over all ports, from Emad Al-Trabelsi, the commander of the General Security Apparatus, who was previously one of the influential figures at the previous iteration of Tripoli International Airport before it was turned to ashes.
It seems the "Return of Life" government and its (wise) leadership are well aware that opening the new Tripoli International Airport is like rolling a ball of fire, attempting to maneuver it in a way that burns it. Therefore, they are trying to choose the precise timing to announce the airport's opening, ensuring that those who will control this airport are structurally aligned with their alliance, preventing the airport from becoming a power point in the hands of their opponents in Tripoli.
All the world's peoples treat airports as places that largely represent them, striving to present them in the best possible light, except for our patient and steadfast people, many of whom might hope this airport remains closed, fearing that its opening could mark a time for many citizens to flee their homes to escape stray shells that might hit them, with their slogan being, "A closed airport, better than an abandoned house."