Outcomes of the Ras Ajdir Raid (The Great Test)

After Saladin managed to reclaim Jerusalem and all the cities of present-day Palestine from the Crusaders, nearly a hundred years after their occupation, Richard the Lionheart, King of England at that time, led the Third Crusade in an attempt to retake Jerusalem. Despite his success in controlling the entire coast up to Ascalon, with Saladin marching his army along the coast, history tells us that there were poetic verses exchanged between Saladin's scribe and a friend from the Levant about apricots, which were in season at that time. This puzzled many historians, but some say that Saladin and his companions were at ease, as if to tell Richard the Lionheart, "This is our land, and even if you manage to occupy it, we will reclaim it as soon as you return to your country." The King of England knew this, which is why he asked his partners in the campaign to invade Egypt and the Levant to be able to recapture Jerusalem. They refused and insisted on attacking Jerusalem, even though the King of England knew this was futile and would not achieve their goals.

For some time, Major General Emad Al-Trabelsi, the Interior Minister of the “Return of Life” government, has been trying to assert government control over the Ras Ajdir border crossing, stating that it is one of the main routes for fuel smuggling in Libya, affecting the economy. He has made several attempts to send forces under the Ministry of Interior to ensure sustained control.

Although the administration of the crossing has changed hands several times, with each new security official not being from the city of Zuwara, accused of controlling and managing the crossing, all concerned security agencies for borders in Libya are present, including the External Security Agency, Internal Security, Customs, Passports, and the Security Directorate responsible for the geographical area of Ras Ajdir. However, the Interior Minister claims that state agencies are not effectively enabled at the crossing, and their presence is only superficial.

This narrative is met with another that states that since the outbreak of the February uprising, all state borders are not under the control of official state agencies. This is a fact that only the blind would deny! This control is due to the armed groups within whose geographical scope these borders lie, so the issue is not limited to Ras Ajdir alone.

This narrative also suggests that the tribal background of Major General Al-Trabelsi, being from the city of Zintan, which has played a military role throughout the past period, has attempted several times to assert control over the Ras Ajdir crossing. The first attempt was during the Libyan revolution in 2011, which failed. Then Major General Osama Al-Juwaili made another attempt during Fayez al-Sarraj’s rule, when Al-Juwaili managed to assert control over the Warshefana area and removed those who were cutting off roads during that difficult period. He then attempted to control Ras Ajdir, which also failed, leading to Major General Al-Trabelsi's recent attempt. Proponents of this narrative believe that the issue is not solely about smuggling, especially since there are many parties responsible for smuggling in the western region from the Nafusa Mountains to the coast of the Maya area, and the issue is not limited to Ras Ajdir alone.

We cannot overlook the narrative that suggests what state agencies can obtain from official crossings and borders benefits everyone. It is illogical to insist that all borders and crossings must be handed over or none at all, as this is irrational and delays the establishment of our desired state (since what cannot be fully achieved should not be entirely abandoned).

All these discussions and indicators suggest that a war might erupt at any moment on the outskirts of the Ras Ajdir crossing, with a military force under the General Staff of the “Return of Life” government tasked with asserting control over Ras Ajdir, according to its decision text. This move will not be accepted by the military forces in Zuwara and other Amazigh cities, as they see this step as the actual beginning of a war against their existence and stability, showing bias against them, especially when other crossings and borders remain unchanged. For example, Misrata’s port is for the people of Misrata, Mitiga airport is for (……), the Debdeb crossing in Ghadames is for Zintan, and Khoms port is for the people of Khoms. So why should only Ras Ajdir be cut off?

What we believe, and logic dictates, is that all official state crossings and borders should be under the control of state security agencies, without exception. When we say under their control, it should be real, not superficial. Otherwise, it is like jumping forward with eyes closed, not knowing where your feet might land.

Managing such issues in the context of the Libyan situation requires wisdom and caution, avoiding military confrontation as much as possible, especially one that might, and we say might, be interpreted on a regional or ethnic basis. Let us not forget that no matter how strong Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was, he knew in advance that even if he controlled Jerusalem, its people would reclaim it sooner or later. Therefore, he spared his people's blood and returned sensibly.