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Libya, North Africa and the Middle East: we need less western intervention, not more

15th March 2011

It is clear that Libya is now entering a state of civil war as the Gaddafi regime fights back against the uprising that began in Benghazi.

There have been calls from the West and client Arab states for a no-fly zone in Libya – a demand which has been supported by some rightly concerned about the well-being of the Libyan people.

There can be no doubt that atrocities have been carried out by the Gaddafi regime in recent weeks, but there can also be no doubt that the enforcement of a no-fly zone would be more likely to exacerbate the situation.

No-fly zones have had little success as a form of humanitarian protection. A no-fly zone over Bosnia did not stop the Serbs from shelling Sarajevo or stop Srebrenica from happening.  The expulsion of Kosovar Albanians accelerated while there was an effective no-fly zone over Kosovo.

The Iraq no-fly zone led to the deaths of innocent civilians – not to mention civilian military personnel who work at air traffic control and radar monitoring sites – and was a precursor to the full-scale re-invasion of 2003.

A no-fly zone would increase foreign military intervention in Libya, replacing the agency of the Libyan people with the demands of western governments whose primary aims will be to keep the oil flowing. As Jeremy Corbyn MP has rightly said, “the parallel of no discussion whatsoever of a no-fly zone over Gaza during Operation Cast Lead is but one example of the double standards in operation”.

If the Gaddafi regime resists the no-fly zone, by using the arms supplied to it by the same western nations, and fires on US, French or UK planes what will be the response?

A no fly-zone could clearly be a precursor to the full scale bombing of Tripoli and invasion. That would surely not be in the interests of the Libyan people or of any humanitarian.

While we totally oppose any military action by the West and its proxies, as socialists and internationalists we do not simply stand and await the outcome of the struggle against Gaddafi. The international workers’ movement has a long and proud record of taking action against repressive regimes, including such as Pinochet in Chile and apartheid South Africa. We would encourage and support any such action against Gaddafi. We would also welcome any support which could be given by the victorious movements in other North African countries, such as Tunisia and Egypt, to their brothers and sisters in Libya. Such action could only strengthen the fight for freedom throughout the whole region.

While the media focuses on Libya, we should not forget that the uprisings across the region continue.

Saudi Arabia has invaded Bahrain to repress its democratic movement, in a move yet to be condemned by the West. The Saudi dictatorship states they are there at the “invitation” of the Bahrain dictatorship – but they are mercenaries against the unarmed people of Bahrain who are protesting for democratic rights.

As live rounds, tear gas and water cannons are also being used on protesters in Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iraq, we should step up our campaign against the UK arms trade, and demand less western intervention, not more.

Neither should we forget that while protests in Tunisia and Egypt have succeeded in bringing down their rulers, the regimes are largely still intact. We must pledge our full solidarity with those still fighting for democracy and freedom, and build links through the labour movement.

Further reading:

• Jeremy Corbyn MP - Morning Star column 10/03/11
• War on Want’s John Hilary, CiF article
• EDM 1565 ‘Libya, North Africa and the Middle East’ tabled by Jeremy Corbyn and signed by John McDonnell MP, Kelvin Hopkins MP, Mike Wood MP, John Cryer MP, etc
• Stop the War Coalition: 10 reasons to say no to western intervention in Libya