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Libya
Performance in Combat
Although never tested in large-scale actions, the Libyan armed
forces have been involved in low-level hostilities on a number
of occasions. A sharp series of border clashes occurred with Egypt
in 1977, and Libyan forces were flown into Uganda in 1978 in an
unsuccessful effort to defend the regime of Idi Amin Dada against
invading Tanzanian forces. In addition, the Libyans have conducted
a series of campaigns in northern Chad since 1980. In brief engagements
in 1981 and 1986, they proved to be outmatched against United
States air power.
The cause of the hostilities between Egypt and Libya was never
clearly established, although the attacks were probably initiated
by Egypt as punishment for Libyan interference and a warning against
the Soviet-backed arms buildup. After border violations alleged
by both sides, fighting escalated on July 19, 1977, with an artillery
duel, and, two days later, a drive along the coast by Egyptian
armor and infantry during which the Libyan army was engaged. Egypt
claimed successful surprise air strikes against the Libyan air
base at Al Adem (Gamal Abdul Nasser Air Base) just south of Tobruk,
destroying aircraft on the ground; surface-to-air missile batteries
and radar stations were also knocked out.
When the Egyptians withdrew on July 24, most foreign analysts
agreed that the Egyptian units had prevailed, although Libyan
forces reacted better than had been expected. The Qadhafi regime
nevertheless hailed the encounter as a victory, citing the clash
as justification for further purchases of modern armaments.
In the case of Uganda, Qadhafi had befriended the despotic ruler
Idi Amin as a fellow Muslim and potential ally of the Arab cause
in Africa. Libya had intervened on Amin's behalf during his first
confrontation with neighboring Tanzania in 1972 by airlifting
a contingent of four hundred troops into the country. During the
invasion of Uganda by Tanzanian troops and Ugandan exiles in 1978,
a new Libyan force estimated at 2,000 to 2,500 was sent, assisting
in the defense of Entebbe and the capital of Kampala by covering
road junctions with armored equipment. Inexperienced, undisciplined,
and in unfamiliar forested terrain, the Libyan troops were quickly
routed in attacks by foot soldiers. As many as 600 Libyans were
estimated to have been killed during the Ugandan operation, and
the defeated remainder were hurriedly withdrawn. The troops reputedly
were led to believe they were being airlifted into Uganda for
training exercises with Ugandan units. They were totally unprepared
for actual combat and, having little motivation to fight, often
tried to flee.
Data as of 1987
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