Answers to Questions
The first question: Haftar launched a surprise attack on western Libya, and it is ongoing... even though the front between him and Sarraj was relatively quiet. What has changed for this attack to begin, especially since Sarraj’s government in western Libya is the internationally recognized one? And what is the expected outcome of this attack? Thank you.
The Answer:
1- The answer can be understood from what we issued on February 20, 2019—about 40 days before the start of Haftar's attack—where we provided a clear picture of the course of events in Libya. I will mention some of what was stated there:
[First: After Haftar, the American agent, took control of the city of Benghazi, he gained control over eastern Libya. By settling the conflict in his favor in the city of Derna in mid-2018, Haftar tightened his grip on eastern Libya completely. As the battles moved to the Oil Crescent region, the heat of the conflict in Libya increased between America's agents led by Haftar and the European agents led by Sarraj in Tripoli. By successfully extending control over the Oil Crescent, his military weight began to outweigh the Sarraj government. However, his military strength, supported by America's agent Sisi, is not entirely decisive enough to enable him to take western Libya, as the European countries themselves repel him from western Libya, in addition to the proximity of that region to Algeria, which is loyal to the Europeans. This fear of Algeria and its intervention is clearly visible in Haftar’s statements ("Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala disavowed on Monday the 'irresponsible statements' of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in which he threatened to 'transfer the Libyan war to Algeria in moments...' Haftar had announced that Algeria 'is exploiting the security situation in Libya' and that 'Algerian soldiers crossed the Libyan border...' France 24 on September 10, 2018).
Second: This reality of support from Sisi’s Egypt, with America behind it, for Haftar—which enabled him to control eastern Libya and the Oil Crescent—and the opposing reality represented by the Sarraj government, Algeria’s readiness to defend it due to geographical proximity, and the Europeans standing behind it... this reality and the opposing one created a kind of stalemate, even if the military balance tilted toward Haftar due to significant American support aligned with its vision for a solution in Libya. This vision involves opening negotiations after Haftar’s position becomes decisive or near-decisive. However, from the perspective of the political medium, the balance still tilts in favor of Sarraj; European influence ensures his control over the capital, Tripoli, and the weight of the pro-European political medium there. Thus, Haftar cannot advance and take the capital, nor can he open serious negotiations with the Sarraj government to appear as equal parties... These two dilemmas for both sides of the conflict in Libya created a state of stagnation that prevented either side from settling the issue. Therefore, moving the battles to southern Libya constituted an exit for Haftar so he could increase the area of his military control, allowing the solution to take place under a stronger American influence than Europe's. This is what happened: (Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar's forces launched a wide military operation on Wednesday in the south of the country aimed at "cleansing" it of armed groups... according to a spokesperson for the Libyan National Army... France 24, January 17, 2019).
The conclusion is that Haftar, with the massive military support provided by America, especially via Egypt, has managed to split Libya into two halves. He has fully controlled the eastern half, seized the Oil Crescent—the backbone of Libya’s economy—and managed to make a breakthrough in the western half, as he is now directed toward the south for more military and economic control. Thus, amidst the stagnation resulting from the difficulty of western Libya due to fear of Algeria and major European support for the Sarraj government, America is pushing Haftar to achieve other goals for it, further exhausting European countries regarding the migration issue and attacking French influence in neighboring countries, starting from Chad...] End quote.
It appears that Haftar took advantage of the events in Algeria and the Algerian army's preoccupation with them to launch his attack on western Libya. The attack began on April 4, 2019—just two days after the peak of the crisis with Bouteflika's resignation! This enabled him to advance toward Tripoli in a noticeable manner...
2- As for the outcome of this attack, it is not expected that Haftar will settle the matter by seizing Tripoli for two reasons:
First: Those who stood in Haftar's way were Europe and Algeria... As for Algeria, it is currently occupied with its domestic conditions. As for Europe, it is still capable of political pressure: (EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called on Monday for a humanitarian truce in Libya and a return to negotiations... Sky News on April 8, 2019). Likewise, Britain submitted a draft resolution to the Security Council to stop the fighting:
(Britain presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire in Libya after forces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the strongman in eastern Libya, launched an offensive to seize Tripoli, according to the text of the draft obtained by AFP on Tuesday. The draft resolution stated that the attack by the "Libyan National Army" led by Haftar "threatens stability in Libya and the prospects for UN-sponsored political dialogue and a comprehensive political solution to the crisis"... AFP on April 16, 2019)... So Europe will use whatever political pressure it can to stop Haftar's advance, and even military intervention if necessary... (The official spokesperson for the Libyan National Army, Major General Ahmed al-Mismari, confirmed that foreign pilots are flying the planes of the forces loyal to the Government of National Accord in their raids on Libyan positions... Al-Arabiya Net April 13, 2019). Likewise, ("EU Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini on Tuesday urged EU countries to redeploy warships to the Mediterranean to allow Operation 'Sophia' to combat arms and oil smuggling in Libya..." She then added: "Mogherini said that 'the attack launched by (Field Marshal Khalifa) Haftar on Tripoli could turn into a permanent conflict with weapons that should not be used in Libya' "... Al-Madina website on April 17, 2019). End quote. Although she requested the return of warships to prevent weapons and oil smuggling, she inserted the topic of Haftar and his attack on Tripoli into the matter! It is not ruled out that these warships could be used against Haftar's attack in indirect ways under the pretext of smuggling weapons and oil.
Second: America, which supports Haftar, especially through Sisi's Egypt, realizes Europe's interest in Libya and that Europe will exert all efforts to not allow Libya to slip from its hands through Haftar's strikes. America realizes that Europe will resist the total loss of Libya through various methods. Therefore, America called for a negotiated solution (The US Embassy in Libya issued a statement today, Monday, reaffirming that "there is no military solution to the conflict in Libya" and stressed via its official Twitter account that "a political solution is the only way to unite the country and provide a plan for security, stability, and prosperity for all Libyans." Sputnik Arabic on April 8, 2019). End quote... But America will procrastinate until Haftar's position improves by expanding the areas under his control, making his negotiating position the strongest. Thus, America's share of the negotiated solution will be the strongest and richest, with a relatively smaller share for Europe, especially Britain, because most of the political class are its followers... Accordingly, it is expected that Haftar will stop short of seizing all of Tripoli and other nearby areas, then negotiations will begin with Haftar in a position of strength. This is what appears from America’s plans. These plans might fail if Algeria manages to solve its problem quickly and the Algerian army begins to threaten Haftar or even takes action, although the course of events in Algeria does not suggest a quick solution... This makes solutions take time...
3- Thus, Muslims are killed on both sides—from the Sarraj government and Haftar's army—not for the glory of Allah's Deen nor for the revival of Allah's servants, but so that America and Europe can laugh heartily at a people fighting for the interests of others. After they play their roles, their services are terminated without regret... This is what the colonialist Kuffar do to their agents; yet they do not learn, nor are they deterred, nor do they see their tragedies in this world or their bottomless pit in the hereafter. And Allah, the All-Strong, the Almighty, spoke the truth:
وَمَنْ كَانَ فِي هَذِهِ أَعْمَى فَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَى وَأَضَلُّ سَبِيلاً
"And whoever is blind in this [life] will be blind in the Hereafter and more astray in way." (Al-Isra [17]: 72)
The second question: What is happening in Sudan? Bashir resigns or is dismissed and held in a safe place... and Awad succeeds him, then resigns a day later... then Al-Burhan succeeds him... the commander of the Rapid Support Forces declares he will not join the Military Council, and the next day he is the Vice President of the Military Council! The opposition demands a civilian government with full powers, and the Military Council responds that it will form a civilian government but with sovereignty remaining with the Military Council... Thus, a degree of confusion surrounds the parties! What is the reality of what is happening? Thank you very much.
The Answer:
1- My brother, if you were a follower of what we issue, the picture would have been clear to you and there would be no confusion. We previously issued a release on March 4, 2019—more than a month before Bashir's dismissal—and the conclusion of our release was as follows:
[In conclusion, there are two matters worthy of reflection and deep consideration:
As for the first, the first thing America imposes on its agents is to exert all efforts in serving its interests. Bashir exerted every effort in that, even to the point of betraying his oath by separating the South from Sudan... Even today, America still supports Bashir; its contacts with him and his regime, as we have shown, indicate this... However, if the protests continue and Bashir is unable to control them soon, he will fall in America's eyes and thus become incapable of serving America’s interests. At that point, it is likely that America will seek to change him. Perhaps the arrangement for the withdrawal of some of its men from the government to ride the wave of opposition—especially the Mirghani party loyal to it—is moving in this direction, i.e., preparing the alternative. This is because any replacement for Bashir requires the presence of an alternative acceptable to the people. America uses this method with its agents; it used it with Mubarak—when he couldn't control the protests, it ordered him to leave, so he resigned and commissioned Tantawi and his military council in his place... It is a standard method for America; it only needs the alternative before ordering its agent to leave. It fears that if the change occurs before the alternative is ripe, sincere and loyal men who would be a thorn in its side—or rather a dagger in its chest—might reach power. Keeping its agent Bashar until now is for this reason...
As for the second matter, what is feared is that the blood of the killed and wounded and those losses in the streets and public facilities will go to waste, and the protests will eventually lead to replacing one agent with another while the man-made constitution remains in place, taking lives and exhausting the people... This is what we warn against because the protests, to this day, do not adopt the demands of Islam nor call for the implementation of Sharia laws by following a righteous and sincere leadership working to resume the Islamic way of life by establishing the Righteous Khilafah... Consequently, the political crisis will remain the same or become worse, and the economic crisis will remain the same or become worse. The word of Allah is the manifest truth:
فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشْقَى * وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنْكاً
"Then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray [in the world] nor suffer [in the Hereafter]. And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life." (Taha [20]: 123-124)
And Allah, the All-Knowing, All-Wise, spoke the truth:
فَاعْتَبِرُوا يَاأُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ
"So take warning, O people of vision." (Al-Hashr [59]: 2)] End quote.
2- What has happened and is happening almost speaks of what came in our release. Bashir was unable to end the protests, so he was cast aside, and the end of his affair was loss, humiliation, and disgrace! He was succeeded by Awad ibn Auf on Thursday, then on Friday he was cast aside as if he were just a connecting link! Not to mention his rejection by the street. Then came Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (whom Bashir had appointed in February 2018 as Chief of Staff of the Land Forces, and on February 26, 2019, Bashir decided to promote Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah to the rank of General and appointed him Inspector General of the Armed Forces on that day... Sudan Today website on April 13, 2019). That is, Bashir appointed him Inspector General of the Army during the protests! He was the one who negotiated with the protesters on Friday morning, April 12, 2019, and became head of the Military Council on Friday evening according to Ibn Auf’s announcement, by which he stepped down from the chairmanship of the Military Council after holding it for one day! Al-Burhan took some steps to ease the tension; (The head of the Sudanese Transitional Military Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was keen to court the protesters and announced in his first statement the formation of a military council to represent the state’s sovereignty, an "agreed upon" civilian government to manage the country during the next phase, the cancellation of the curfew, and the release of convicts... Khartoum - Al-Bayan April 14, 2019). Then he appointed the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, as his deputy. The strange thing is that this Dagalo had declared on Thursday, April 11, 2019, that he would not participate in the Military Council, and the next day he was the deputy head of the Military Council! This is what he stated: "I would like to announce to the general Sudanese people that as commander of the Rapid Support Forces, I have declined to participate in the Military Council since April 11, 2019, and we will remain part of the armed forces and work for the unity of the country, respect for human rights, and protection of the Sudanese people"... RT April 12, 2019). Yet, the next day he became the deputy head of the Military Council! (The Transitional Military Council in Sudan appointed on Saturday evening the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, as deputy head of the Transitional Council... Al-Marsad Sunday, April 14, 2019). Note that this man was one of the pillars of the Bashir regime, and it seems he remains a pillar in the new regime. Not a day had passed since his appointment before he met the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy with warmth and welcome: (Deputy Head of the Transitional Military Council, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, met today, Sunday, at the Republican Palace with the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Khartoum, Steven Koutsis. According to the Sudan News Agency "SUNA", Dagalo briefed the US diplomat on the "conditions and developments in the country, the reasons that led to the formation of the Transitional Military Council, and the steps it took to maintain the security and stability of Sudan." According to the agency, the US Chargé d'Affaires welcomed the role of the Military Council in achieving stability and stressed the need for continued cooperation between the two sides to enhance Sudanese-American relations... 24 website on April 14, 2019).
3- To help stabilize the current situation, America hinted at the possibility of lifting sanctions: (A US State Department official said the United States would consider new ways to remove Sudan's name from its list of state sponsors of terrorism if it sees fundamental change in its government and a commitment not to support terrorism... Al-Bayan quoting Reuters on April 17, 2019).
After that, America’s agents flocked to support the new situation:
(Sisi calls the head of the Military Council in Sudan: The Egyptian President confirmed to the head of the Transitional Military Council in Sudan, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Egypt's full support for the security and stability of Sudan... Arab World News on April 16, 2019). End quote.
(A high-level Egyptian delegation visits Khartoum to emphasize support for the choices of the Sudanese people: A high-level Egyptian delegation is visiting the state of Sudan to emphasize Egypt's full support... Youm7 on April 17, 2019). End quote.
(Abu Dhabi - Sky News Arabia: The Saudi Council of Ministers confirmed on Tuesday its support for what the Sudanese people have decided regarding their future and what the Transitional Military Council has taken in Sudan, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency "SPA"... Al-Watan website on April 16, 2019). End quote.
4- America’s policy has become exposed to everyone with eyes. It relies on its men in the military and asks them to serve its interests and dominate the situation. If they are unable, it casts them aside and brings another man from its followers in the military. Despite the many sincere people in the Muslim armies, America finds in these armies those whom it tempts with the pleasures of the world, so they betray their Ummah and pay no heed to what happened to their predecessors after they exhausted their roles! Its policy accepts the appointment of a civilian government in its service, then later removes it and returns its agents in the military... It did that with Mubarak; when protests occurred and he couldn't withstand them, it cast him aside, then came Tantawi's military council, then a civilian government under military dominance, then Sisi—one of America’s men in the military—returned, meaning the military returned once again to rule... It did that with Nimeiry; when protests occurred and he couldn't withstand them, it cast him aside, then came Swar al-Dahab, then al-Mahdi as a civilian government under military dominance, then Bashir—one of America’s men in the military—returned, meaning the military returned once again...
And now, Bashir was unable to withstand the protests, so it cast him aside, and here are Al-Burhan, his military council, and his deputy Dagalo. Al-Burhan declared he would form a civilian government but sovereignty remains with the military; thus, he involves civilians for a period, then the situation returns to its previous state!
This policy is almost a Western tradition with their agents... except that Europe, especially Britain, tries to find legal exits for that, while America does not care about legal exits!
5- Although the opposition is a mix of various elements, and British influence in it is notable, especially in the Professionals Association and Sadiq al-Mahdi’s party, their influence remains limited even if they enter the civilian government as long as actual sovereignty is in the hands of America’s men in the military... This, as we said earlier, is almost America’s followed policy in the Muslim lands. It gives no weight to sound elections because the results would not be in its favor; rather, it relies on numbers of its followers in the Muslim armies who accepted to betray their Deen and their Ummah. In the end, when they exhaust their roles, they are thrown to the wayside, thus losing their worldly life after having lost their Deen.
6- But what is painful is that these armies contain many who love their Deen and their Ummah. So how do they leave America’s followers in these armies—who are the few and the lower ones, in addition to the deceived—how do they leave them to spread corruption on earth and walk with America? It is not an easy walk; rather, they sacrifice, get killed, and get wounded for the sake of the leader of evil, America, and other Western countries. How?! Even though if they supported Allah and His Deen, they would win in this world and the hereafter, and they would be like the Ansar who remembered Allah and supported Him, so Allah remembered them and supported them. When their leader Sa’d ibn Mu’adh died, seventy thousand angels attended his funeral, and the Throne shook for his death. All of that because they supported Allah's Deen. For the like of this, O sincere soldiers, you should work, so Allah will honor you with might in this world and victory in the hereafter, and that is the great success... As for those who betray their Ummah and support the heads of Kufr—America, Britain, and their followers—they are losers of their hereafter and even their worldly life; after they play their role, they will be thrown to the wayside, attaining no good as was done with their predecessors, and they will regret when regret is of no avail. So will they rectify their affair if they have sense?
إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَذِكْرَى لِمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ قَلْبٌ أَوْ أَلْقَى السَّمْعَ وَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ
"Indeed in that is a reminder for whoever has a heart or who listens while he is present [in mind]." (Qaf [50]: 37)
11th of Sha'ban 1440 AH
April 17, 2019 CE