Khalifa Haftar

Khalifa Haftar is a Libyan military commander and politician who leads the Libyan National Army. He has been a central figure in Libya’s conflicts since 2014.

Muammar Gaddafi: Libyan leader who ruled the country from 1969 until his overthrow and death in 2011. Haftar served as an officer under Gaddafi before breaking with his government.
Libyan National Army: A military coalition based in eastern Libya and led by Khalifa Haftar. It is the armed organization through which Haftar exercises military power.
Chadian–Libyan conflict: A series of armed conflicts between Chad and Libya from the 1970s through the 1980s. Haftar rose as a Libyan officer during the war and was captured by Chadian forces in 1987.
Libyan Civil War (2014–2020): A prolonged conflict between rival governments and armed coalitions that divided Libya from 2014 to 2020. Haftar’s forces were one of the principal coalitions in this phase of the civil war.
Libyan political process: Negotiations and institutional efforts to form a unified government and resolve Libya’s political divisions. Haftar’s willingness to accept a settlement remains central to plans for national reunification.
Fayez al-Sarraj: Libyan politician who led the internationally recognized Government of National Accord from 2016 to 2021. Al-Sarraj’s government was Haftar’s principal rival during the 2019–2020 assault on Tripoli.
House of Representatives (Libya): Libya’s elected legislature, established in 2014 and based in the eastern city of Tobruk for much of its term. Its political backing has helped give Haftar’s eastern administration institutional standing.
National Front for the Salvation of Libya: A Libyan opposition movement formed in 1981 to challenge Muammar Gaddafi’s government. Haftar joined the opposition after his break with Gaddafi and spent years outside Libya.
2019–2020 Western Libya campaign: Haftar’s 2019–2020 offensive to capture Tripoli from the Government of National Accord. The failed offensive ended his attempt to seize the capital by force.
2021 Libyan presidential election: A planned Libyan presidential election that was postponed amid disputes over laws, candidates, and institutions. Haftar registered as a candidate, but the election did not take place.

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