UN report indicates that the Islamic State is greatly expanding its control in Libya

Reuters reports that according to a report by the United Nations, the Islamic State (IS) is greatly expanding its control in Libya. The number of IS fighters in Libya are estimated to be as high as 6 000 and said to be getting stronger every day.

According to a report by Reuters on March 10, 2016, United Nations sanctions monitors have indicated that the Islamic State (IS) is greatly expanding its control in Libya. In their annual report, the monitors have indicated that Libya “has become more attractive to foreign fighters who mainly arrive through Sudan, Tunisia and Turkey.” The number of IS fighters in Libya is now estimated to be as high as 6 000 and they are said to be getting stronger every day. This is a very unfortunate development from the perspective of Christians in Libya and the region.

“The growing strength of the Islamic State in Libya means that Christians in the region will continue to face a form of persecution that is very brutal and violent. It also spells grave danger to the stability of not only Libya, but the whole region. Unless the threat posed by IS in Libya is not addressed quickly, the instability in Libya could have a spillover effect not only in the Maghreb, but also in the Sahel region. Due to the religious fundamentalism and the fanaticism that underlies the violence of groups like IS, the spread of the group’s influence is obviously very dangerous to the religious freedom of Christians as well as Muslims who do not share the fanaticism of IS. This is compounded by the fact that Boko Haram is active in the south [of Libya] and Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM) is operating in many parts of the region,” says Yonas Dembele, persecution analyst at Open Doors World Watch Research.

Pray that the Lord will establish peace in Libya and for His protection of the stability of this region.