Egypt, United Arab Emirates behind mysterious airstrikes in Libya

A series of mysterious airstrikes that had been claimed by a retired Libyan general have turned out to be the work of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

The New York Times reports that at least two airstrikes in the city of Tripoli in the last seven days can be attributed to the air forces of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Retired Gen. Khalifa Haftar had claimed forces loyal to him carried out the airstrikes, which were centered on positions around Tripoli's international airport. Analysts and other experts on the region and Libya's military had doubted that any of its air force planes were capable of such strikes.

The airport has been the scene of fierce fighting between militias with secular and Islamist leanings. Haftar and various units of the Libyan military are allied with a more secular militia from the city of Zintan.

Rival militias with a more Islamist view hail from the town of Misrata. The Islamists are currently in control of the airport.

The Times reports that neither Egypt nor the United Arab Emirates notified the United States of the airstrikes. This is despite being allies under U.S. protection who receive billions of dollars in martial aid from the United States annually.

The Times says that when questioned about the matter, Egyptian officials lied directly to U.S. diplomats.

A U.S. official told the Times they did not believe the airstrikes were helping the situation in Libya, which if not a failed state already, is surely on the brink.

The U.A.E. provided all the pilots, planes, and munitions used in the strikes, while Egypt provided the bases and ground support, according to the Times.

While some have previously speculated the airstrikes were the work of the United States or NATO, the confirmation of involvement in Libya by regional governments has added a new wrinkle to the situation in the Middle East.

These governments' willingness to use force on Islamist groups abroad may make it easier for the United States to press them into action against the Islamic State.