In April of this year, it was already apparent that the Libyan War of 2011 had become a curious war of military, economic and political attrition. That was cruel news then, and remains so today. World War I’s entrenched western front provides a tragic example of attrition warfare at its worst. The stalemate produced unimaginable casualties. Landlocked Germany eventually suffered economic collapse.
Libya is no World War I, but Moammar Gadhafi’s siege of the rebel-held city of Misrata, which the rebels ultimately lifted, serves as a grim reminder of the human costs of day-by-day attrition.
As August approaches, however, there is better news from Libya, given the circumstances: Dictator Gadhafi is clearly losing on Libya’s battlefields and in the diplomatic struggle.
Though still factionalized, inadequately armed and poorly trained, Libyan rebel forces have not only held their own but made significant military advances while strengthening their political and diplomatic clout.
United Nations observers are reporting that towns located in the dwindling chunk of western Libya Gadhafi still controls lack fuel, hospitals are running short of medicine and supplies, and food prices are climbing.
These are the signs of economic attrition. Political effects will follow. Gadhafi bought loyalty by providing his supporters with goods and luxuries. Now his struggle to retain power brings them poverty.
Until NATO intervened in March, Gadhafi’s aircraft and armor were dominating and all but defeating Libya’s rebels. Disorganized rebel fighters lacked anti-aircraft weapons, anti-tank weapons and artillery.
All the rebels had was just cause and passion — the seeds of resolve. Rebel leaders were divided along regional, political and ethnic lines. This is why Gadhafi’s threats of mass reprisals — mass murder — were very serious. The month of dawdling by the U.S., Britain and France was almost fatal.
In March, Gadhafi’s forces were pouring into eastern Libya. NATO air power saved the rebels by driving Gadhafi’s air force from the skies and by pinning then pounding his loyalist tank and motorized ground units.
NATO military intervention and international diplomatic support bought time. Tunisia and Egypt have provided the rebels with significant, if low visibility, support. Neither of them wants to see a troublemaker and state sponsor of terrorism like Gadhafi remain in power.
By late April, Gadhafi faced a war on five fronts: the east (Benghazi front); to the south (Berber tribesmen in the western Nafusa Mountains); the Misrata siege; an uneasy occupation of western towns located between Gadhafi’s stronghold in the capital, Tripoli, and the Tunisian border; and the air front, the NATO air attacks on Tripoli and his supply centers.
By late June, a sixth front of sorts began to emerge: discontent in Tripoli itself. While more of a political challenge to Gadhafi and a problem for his secret police rather than military front, the increasing physical isolation of Tripoli and the duress of the bombing campaign helped stir opposition in Tripoli.
Examiner Columnist Austin Bay is nationally syndicated by Creators Syndicate.
