DERNA, Libya: In the aftermath of catastrophic flooding in Derna, Libya, Brigadier General Saddam Haftar, the youngest son of strongman Khalifa Haftar, has taken on the role of heading the Disaster Response Committee.
This appointment, despite his lack of experience in relief administration or management, raises concerns as millions of dollars in humanitarian aid pour into eastern Libya.
Saddam Haftar, born in 1991, rose to prominence after his father’s return to Libya in 2011 following the anti-Gaddafi uprising. He assumed leadership of the Tareq Ben Zayed (TBZ) brigade in 2016, a powerful armed group under his father’s Libyan National Army (LNA). TBZ fighters have been accused of violating international human rights and humanitarian laws.
In 2018, Saddam Haftar was implicated in a UN report for seizing control of the Benghazi branch of Libya’s Central Bank and transferring substantial amounts of cash and silver to an undisclosed location.
Local residents have long adopted a survival strategy of avoiding any confrontation with the Haftar family, who wield considerable power in eastern Libya. Those who have attempted to expose alleged corruption or wrongdoing have faced severe consequences.
Competition between Haftar’s six sons persists, with rumors of rivalries within the family. While Saddam was once commander of the LNA’s 106th Battalion, he was replaced by his elder brother, Khaled, who is considered more polished and holds a university degree.
As aid floods into the region to address the Derna catastrophe, concerns about corruption and the “securitization of aid” have arisen among Libyans both inside and outside the country. LNA-controlled areas have limited access for journalists, making it challenging to scrutinize the situation.
The appointment of Saddam Haftar to lead the Disaster Response Committee adds another layer of uncertainty and concern for the Libyan people, who are already grappling with the devastating aftermath of the flooding caused by years of state neglect.
Furthermore, the situation highlights the intricate power dynamics within the Haftar family and their influence on eastern Libya. Khalifa Haftar has been a prominent figure on the Libyan political and military landscape for years, with his actions and alliances often shaping the nation’s destiny.
Saddam’s elevation to a key role in the disaster response efforts underscores the lack of transparency and accountability within the Haftar-controlled territory. The international community, while providing much-needed humanitarian aid, must also address the potential misuse or misallocation of resources in this fragile region.
For many Libyans, this development serves as a stark reminder of the challenges they face on multiple fronts – from natural disasters exacerbated by state neglect to the complex power dynamics within their nation. As they continue to rebuild their lives in the wake of the Derna disaster, they do so under the watchful eye of a strongman’s son, raising concerns about the future direction of eastern Libya.
