Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Euro-American Land Invasion of Libya Imminent
Glen Ford, BAR executive editor
20 Apr 2011
🖨️ Print Article

As if hard-wired for theft of other people's lands, the European Union is preparing to put thousands of its once-and-forever colonial boots on the ground in Libya. “The mass ground onsla ught may well commence with the imminent deployment of the European Union’s so-called 'battle groups' – multinational military units of about 1,500 men each.” Libyan leader Moamar Gaddafi, who had earlier offered to accept some humanitarian assistance in Misrata, vowed to fight any foreign soldiers on Libyan territory.

“They seek to land a “battle group” in Misrata under humanitarian pretenses, and then inevitably clash with Gaddafi’s soldiers dug in nearby.”

The official Euro-American invasion of Libya is about to begin. I say “official” invasion because the Europeans and Americans already have boots on the ground making bloody footprints in Libya, from U.S. Special Ops and CIA, British Special Air Services commandos, and their French counterparts. The news media of the invader countries know their armed forces are active on Libyan soil, and occasionally report as much. But they dutifully await announcements from their governments that the “real” invasion has, officially, begun.

That time is near. The British announced they are sending a ten-man military adviser team to help the rebels. The French, who were obscenely quick to recognize the rebels’ so-called National Transitional Council as a kind of government, already have military advisors in Benghazi. The American CIA and the Saudi Arabians are thought to be truly in on the ground floor, having sponsored and financed Khalifa Haftar, the Libyan exile who formed the so-called Libyan National Army that has been trying to mount an armed revolt against the government in Tripoli for more than 20 years.

The mass ground onslaught may well commence with the imminent deployment of the European Union’s so-called “battle groups” – multinational military units of about 1,500 men each. The 27-nation European Union had been discussing ways to insinuate a force into Libya since the beginning of April. Unexpectedly, Libyan leader Moamar Gaddafi agreed in principle to allow international humanitarian personnel to aid civilians in the contested port city of Misrata. Quickly, the Europeans seized on Gaddafi’s statement as an excuse to send up to 1,000 men on an assignment that could only be accomplished by a large ground military force operating with close air support. The EU battle group would secure the port facilities, which are now held by rebels, and then create land corridors into and out of the city, much of which is held by loyal Gaddafi soldiers whose lines would have to be crossed.

“The Europeans seized on Gaddafi’s statement as an excuse to send up to 1,000 men on an assignment that could only be accomplished by a large ground military force operating with close air support.”

Remembering that once you give the former colonialist an inch, he will take your whole country, Col. Gaddafi vowed that he would fight any foreigner soldiers that attempted to land on Libyan territory, no matter what they claimed their mission was.

The European scheme is transparently cynical. They seek to land a “battle group” in Misrata under humanitarian pretenses, and then inevitably clash with Gaddafi’s soldiers dug in nearby. That will be the beginning of the European’s multinational land invasion, with thousands of troops arriving in Libya in short order. The siege of Tripoli will begin, if the regime holds out, and if not, then begins the guerilla war or, as the Euro-Americans like to call it when they steal someone else’s country, the “insurgency.”

The U.S. Africa Command, AFRICOM, used to worry about getting permission to open an office on African soil. Soon, it may be operating from one of the largest countries on the continent.

For Black Agenda Radio, I’m Glen Ford. On the web, go to www.BlackAgendaReport.com.

BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

listen
http://traffic.libsyn.com/blackagendareport/20110420_gf_Libya.mp3
Libya

Related Podcasts

BAR Radio Logo
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Black Agenda Radio February 13, 2026
13 February 2026
In this week’s segment, we discuss conditions in Libya, the forces behind the assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, and the struggle to regain so
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
The Assassination of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Conditions in Libya
13 February 2026
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libya's assassinated president Muammar Gaddafi, was himself assassinated on February 3, 2026.
BAR Radio Logo
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley and Glen Ford
Black Agenda Radio May 23, 2025
23 May 2025
In this week’s segment, we discuss the legacy of Malcolm X and the state of the political party that many Black people feel trapped in.

More Stories


  • Open Veins of Africa Bleeding Heavily
    Ndongo Samba Sylla , Jomo Kwame Sundaram
    Open Veins of Africa Bleeding Heavily
    07 Dec 2022
    African nations are rich in resources yet remain impoverished due to onerous IMF and World Bank loan policies and capital flight.
  • Unjust Measures Imposed on Labor and African Americans After Midterm Elections
    Abayomi Azikiwe
    Unjust Measures Imposed on Labor and African Americans After Midterm Elections
    07 Dec 2022
    The Biden administration and congress forced railroad workers to accept a contract without paid sick leave and Jackson, Mississippi residents face an administration consent decree on water…
  • Black Alliance for Peace Stands in Solidarity with the People of Haiti and Haitian Migrants Against Racist Harassment and Mass Deportations in the Dominican Republic
    Black Alliance for Peace Haiti/Americas Team
    Black Alliance for Peace Stands in Solidarity with the People of Haiti and Haitian Migrants Against Racist Harassment and Mass Deportations in the Dominican Republic
    07 Dec 2022
    The Black Alliance for Peace again brings attention to the Dominican Republic's human rights violations against Haitians and Haitian descended Dominicans.
  • Merkel Reveals West’s Duplicity
    Scott Ritter
    Merkel Reveals West’s Duplicity
    07 Dec 2022
    Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted that the collective west never had any intention of honest dealings with Russia. This "war of choice" was not provoked by Russia.
  • Afghanistan News Update #15
    Black Alliance For Peace
    Afghanistan News Update #15
    07 Dec 2022
    The U.S. continues its theft of Afghanistan's assets, and the people there continue to suffer. 
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us