The Libyan port of Derna. Yahoo/AFP.
The Libyan government has bombed a Greek oil tanker killing two crewmen. Yahoo/AFP. The tanker was attacked after refusing to stop for a check on its cargo while off the coast of the Islamist-held port city of Derna. The Greek government condemned the attack and claimed that the ship had done nothing wrong. Two other crewmen were wounded in the attack, but none of the ships 1600 tons of oil spilled. Libya's new government has been determined to stop any unauthorized oil sales since those sales fund separatist and jihadist groups. Derna is controlled by a coalition of Islamist groups, including ISIS.
My Comment:
What a strange incident. Apparently Libya isn't taking any chances when it comes to oil exports. I understand their position. After all these Jihadi groups can fund their troops and terrorism with the money gained from selling oil. The market may have collapsed but it still a valuable commodity. Expect more of this in the future.
Was the strike justified? Absolutely not. Perhaps a raid by a naval vessel but an actual airstrike? No way. Libya is right to be mad that people are buying oil from jihadist groups but there aren't justified in killing them for it. There are ways to stop these sales without bombing third parties. They should be striking the militants, not killing people on oil tankers.
That being said there is no excuse for people buying oil from militants. By doing so they are directly funding terrorist groups.
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