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Image: Zohra Bensemra/REUTERSImage: Zohra Bensemra/REUTERS

Libya

In September 2023, Libya experienced severe flooding that killed thousands of people. Politically, the country has been unstable since the death of longtime authoritarian leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

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All Content on this topic

Syrian fighters watch Russian armored vehicles driving past near the Hmeimim Air Base, a Syrian air base currently operated by Russia, in the town of Hmeimim, southeast of Latakia.

Syrian fighters watch Russian armored vehicles driving past near the Hmeimim Air Base, a Syrian air base currently operated by Russia, in the town of Hmeimim, southeast of Latakia.

Russian military: Moving from Syria to Libya?

Russian military bases in Syria appear to be being packed up and evacuated. But where is Russia going?

French former President Nicolas Sarkozy, pictured at a May 2023 court hearing in Paris.

French former President Nicolas Sarkozy, pictured at a May 2023 court hearing in Paris.

France: Sarkozy loses appeal, must wear electronic ankle tag

France's Court of Cassation has rejected former President Nicolas Sarkozy's appeal of a jail sentence for corruption.

Picture of oil refinery, flames coming from two chimneys

Picture of oil refinery, flames coming from two chimneys

Libya: Armed clashes close key oil refinery as fires erupt

The second-largest oil refinery in Libya has suspended operations after gunfighting caused fires in storage units.

Women walk in a market area in Tripoli, Libya

Women walk in a market area in Tripoli, Libya

Libya's new morality police set to curb women's rights

Observers fear a government push for stricter rules for girls and women signal a return to authoritarian policies.

Nigeria's football team, the Super Eagles

Nigeria's football team, the Super Eagles

Nigeria given 3-0 win over Libya after 'inhumane treatment'

The Nigerian team had been scheduled to play an AFCON qualifier against Libya but were left strandard at the airport.

Nigerian defender #5 William Troost-Ekong (CR) celebrates with teammates after scoring

Nigerian defender #5 William Troost-Ekong (CR) celebrates with teammates after scoring

Libya blames Nigeria for canceled AFCON qualifier

The Super Eagles had refused to play the match citing mistreatment upon their arrival to Libya.

William Troost Ekong of Nigeria reacts instructs teammates during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Final match between Nigeria and Cote dIvoire

William Troost Ekong of Nigeria reacts instructs teammates during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Final match between Nigeria and Cote dIvoire

Nigeria's Super Eagles boycott Libya match over 'mind games'

Nigeria's men's soccer team pulls out of its tournament qualifier in Libya in protest at being abandoned at an airport.

Syrian migrant Abu Ali in his bakery in Libya

Syrian migrant Abu Ali in his bakery in Libya

Libya welcomes Syrian refugees as skilled workers

Crisis-ridden Libya benefits from Syrian refugees, despite its lack of an official asylum policy and dire human rights.

Asawar, a woman in an overall and hijab, works on a car in the northwestern Libyan city of Misrata

Asawar, a woman in an overall and hijab, works on a car in the northwestern Libyan city of Misrata

Sudanese refugee defies all odds as female mechanic in Libya

Asawar Mustafa fled her war-torn country, Sudan. Now the only female mechanic in Libya, she found her new passion.

DW Dokumentationen | Libyen

DW Dokumentationen | Libyen

Libya - The comeback of Saif Al Islam Al Gaddafi

Few had reckoned on this scenario: another Gaddafi vying for power in Libya.

Libya Central Bank headquarters in Tripoli. Archive image from 2013.

Libya Central Bank headquarters in Tripoli. Archive image from 2013.

Libya central bank halts operations over employee abduction

The Central Bank of Libya said that its head of information technology was kidnapped by an unidentified group.

Libyan forces participate in a military parade in the city of Misrata on August 9, 2022.

Libyan forces participate in a military parade in the city of Misrata on August 9, 2022.

Is Libya on the brink of a new civil war?

With rival governments and fresh military mobilization, there are fears Libya could be heading toward more violence.

Two female migrants at the shore between Libya and Tunisia

Two female migrants at the shore between Libya and Tunisia

Migrants flock to Libya despite lack of law and order

Human traffickers, militias, mass graves — nothing seems to discourage migrants from coming to Libya.

Police officers in Kenya stand on the street in uniform during protests on July 2, 2024.

Police officers in Kenya stand on the street in uniform during protests on July 2, 2024.

AfricaLink News: 10 July 2024

Mali: ECOWAS withdrawal irreversible +++ Kenya: Officers linked to protesters' abductions will be prosecuted

African migrants living under difficult conditions in olive forests in the town of Amra in the Tunisian city of Sfax

African migrants living under difficult conditions in olive forests in the town of Amra in the Tunisian city of Sfax

Tunisia: Thousands of migrants 'dumped' in the desert

Rights groups say the Tunisian authorities are conducting illegal "collective expulsions" of migrants, with EU funds.

Norwegian dam at Braskereidfoss fails in August 2023. Image shows a wrecked structure and masses of water flooding out.

Norwegian dam at Braskereidfoss fails in August 2023. Image shows a wrecked structure and masses of water flooding out.

Deadly dam failures: Cause, effect and prevention

No dam is flood-proof, as flooding after days of heavy rains in southern Brazil has shown. Here's what you need to know.

A boy eats freshly-baked Tannoor bread at a camp for displaced people in Libya

A boy eats freshly-baked Tannoor bread at a camp for displaced people in Libya

Libya: UN envoy's resignation diminishes hopes for democracy

Libya's UN envoy quit over "stubborn resistance." His successor must be willing to disrupt the status quo, analysts say.

Migrants sitting on rescue ship

Migrants sitting on rescue ship

Lost at sea: New constraints hinder Mediterranean rescuers

Last year was the deadliest for migrants crossing the Mediterranean since 2017. A ride on one rescue boat shows why.

Migrants crossing the Sahara desert into Libya ride on the back of a pickup truck outside Agadez, Niger

Migrants crossing the Sahara desert into Libya ride on the back of a pickup truck outside Agadez, Niger

Libya: At least 65 migrants found in mass grave

The circumstances of the migrants' deaths remain unknown, the International Organization for Migration said.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, seated center left, meets with leaders of three parties of the conflict in Libya, at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, seated center left, meets with leaders of three parties of the conflict in Libya, at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo

Libya: New hope for a political solution?

Libya's conflicting parties claim to be working on a way out of the country's crisis, but experts remain skeptical.

Libya's strongman Khalifa Hiftar (left) salutes next to Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov (R)

Libya's strongman Khalifa Hiftar (left) salutes next to Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov (R)

Libya: Russia's Wagner Group makes further inroads

The Wagner Group is expanding its "security for resources" blueprint at the expense of democracy and human rights.

A conservationist plants trees with local children.

A conservationist plants trees with local children.

The volunteer rescuing a forest from drought in Libya

Hussein bin Sassi has devoted his life to reforestation. Now he not only plants trees but also waters them.

An aerial shot of the Mediterranean Sea with two ships

An aerial shot of the Mediterranean Sea with two ships

More than 60 migrants drown in shipwreck off Libya

The central Mediterranean remains one of the world's most dangerous migration routes.

A man speaks to the camera, with a photo of a statue of chained slaves behind him

A man speaks to the camera, with a photo of a statue of chained slaves behind him

Modern slavery on the rise around the world

Varying forms of modern slavery have increased significantly in the last five years, according to the United Nations.

A man walks with a camel carrying his goods in an area 30 kilometers from the city of Gode, Ethiopia

A man walks with a camel carrying his goods in an area 30 kilometers from the city of Gode, Ethiopia

Greenhouse gases continue to rise as warming hits record

As countries meet in Dubai for climate talks to negotiate emissions reductions, the world is warming faster than ever.

A man and a woman walk on the dry, cracked bed near the shore of Lake Titicaca in drought season in Huarina, Bolivia August 3, 2023.

A man and a woman walk on the dry, cracked bed near the shore of Lake Titicaca in drought season in Huarina, Bolivia August 3, 2023.

Extreme weather: Is climate change always to blame?

As extreme weather increases, weather attribution researchers look for the link between it and climate change.

A general view of Derna, a city inundated by water, buildings and roads severely damaged and broken, after Storm Daniel hit the region, Sept. 12

A general view of Derna, a city inundated by water, buildings and roads severely damaged and broken, after Storm Daniel hit the region, Sept. 12

Libya orders arrest of 8 officials over flood disaster

Prosecutors allege that negligence by officials could have contributed to deadly dam collapses earlier this month.

A man sits on a burnt tree on the island of Maui with his head in his hands

A man sits on a burnt tree on the island of Maui with his head in his hands

Forensics: identifying the dead in disaster or war zones

After natural disasters like in Libya or Hawaii, the dead can often only be identified with DNA samples or fingerprints.

DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

DW Podcast | Science Unscripted

Why do death tolls drop?

Forensic work to identify the dead is critically important for the loved ones. But along the way, mistakes can be made.

A man reacts as he sits on the rubble of a destroyed building in Libya's eastern city of Derna

A man reacts as he sits on the rubble of a destroyed building in Libya's eastern city of Derna

Libya flood victims: Difficult search for missing migrants

About 10% of Libyan flood victims were migrants. Some were working, others leaving for Europe. All will be hard to find.

People who survived the deadly storm that hit Libya comfort their friend who lost his family members

People who survived the deadly storm that hit Libya comfort their friend who lost his family members

Libya flood: Protester anger could lead to crackdown

Observers have little hope that the military-backed government will do anything more than secure its funding and power.

A coastal city covered in mud and water

A coastal city covered in mud and water

Climate change fueled catastrophic Libya flooding

After a deadly storm flooded Libya, a new study shows global heating made the deluge up to 50 times more likely.

A man wearing a white coat stands on the edge of a building that has fallen down

A man wearing a white coat stands on the edge of a building that has fallen down

Thousands still missing in Libya's flood disaster

In the coastal city of Derna, dangerous conditions are hampering recovery efforts.

Man sitting among the rubble covering his face in desperation.

Man sitting among the rubble covering his face in desperation.

Libya floods: What we know a week after the disaster

In the aftermath of deadly flood in Libya, survivors face the risk of displaced land mines and contaminated water.

An aerial view shows the destruction left by the flood in Derna, Libya.

An aerial view shows the destruction left by the flood in Derna, Libya.

'Authorities are drastically failing Libyans': analyst

Analyst Anas El Gomati speaks with DW about the failures of Libya's disaster response.

An aerial view of devastation after the floods caused by the Storm Daniel ravaged the region, in Derna, Libya on September 17, 2023.

An aerial view of devastation after the floods caused by the Storm Daniel ravaged the region, in Derna, Libya on September 17, 2023.

Libya: UN agency warns two other dams could collapse

The powerful Storm Daniel hit the city of Derna last week, destroying two dams and killing thousands.

A man sits with his face in the palms of his hands, in front of his destroyed buiilding, in Derna, on September 16, after floods washed away entire families in the coastal city

A man sits with his face in the palms of his hands, in front of his destroyed buiilding, in Derna, on September 16, after floods washed away entire families in the coastal city

Libya flooding: Land mines pose new threat, death toll rises

Libya's residents are faced with a new danger as they travel to get water: land mines displaced by strong currents.

Women lie on matresses with blankets over them between a row of university chairs

Women lie on matresses with blankets over them between a row of university chairs

In Libya, international aid efforts gather pace

Tens of thousands of people in the Libyan city of Derna are still homeless, lacking food and clean water.

A rescue team carries a dead body at a beach in Derna, Libya.

A rescue team carries a dead body at a beach in Derna, Libya.

Libya's Derna struggles to cope with thousands of dead

As volunteers rush to recover bodies, the World Health Organization is warning against hasty mass burials.

Horrific flooding in Derna, a Libyan port city of 90,000. 5,000 presumed dead, another 10,000 missing and over 20,000 displaced after catastrophic flooding breaks dams and sweeps away homes.

Horrific flooding in Derna, a Libyan port city of 90,000. 5,000 presumed dead, another 10,000 missing and over 20,000 displaced after catastrophic flooding breaks dams and sweeps away homes.

Libya: Aid groups demand more help after devastating floods

Survivors of the flooding are now at risk from the spread of diseases such as cholera.

An aerial view of the flooded city of Derna, Libya

An aerial view of the flooded city of Derna, Libya

Libya: More than 10,000 people still missing

Authorities have limited access to Derna to make it easier for searchers to dig through the mud and rubble.

A volunteer sits on the rubble of a building in a flash flood-damaged area in Derna.

A volunteer sits on the rubble of a building in a flash flood-damaged area in Derna.

Derna: The Libyan city known for rebellion — and neglect

Before this week's floods, the port city was best known for its revolutionary thinkers, Islamist extremism and scenery.

There are concerns about the spread of disease, as the search for bodies among the ruins continues.

There are concerns about the spread of disease, as the search for bodies among the ruins continues.

Search for bodies in Derna continues after Libya floods

There are concerns about the spread of disease, as the search for bodies among the ruins continues.

In this photo provided by Turkey's IHH humanitarian aid group, rescuers retrieve the body of a flooding victim in Derna, Libya, Wednesday, Sept.13, 2023

In this photo provided by Turkey's IHH humanitarian aid group, rescuers retrieve the body of a flooding victim in Derna, Libya, Wednesday, Sept.13, 2023

Libya flood: Search continues for more than 10,000 missing

Rescue workers in Derna, where thousands have died, are racing to find thousands of missing people.

People walk amid debris in Derna, Libya

People walk amid debris in Derna, Libya

Red Crescent: More than 11,000 dead in Libya floods

As survivors continue to look for the missing, questions are being raised about whether deaths could have been avoided.

Mass graves for the victims of the flood in Libya's coastal city of Derna

Mass graves for the victims of the flood in Libya's coastal city of Derna

Libya flood: Civil society unites in ramping up aid

Despite solidarity, Libyans are weakened by crackdowns and achieve limited results due to two rival governments.

A man passes debris, upturned cars in Derna, Libya

A man passes debris, upturned cars in Derna, Libya

Tens of thousands dead and missing after Libya floods

More than 5,000 have died and 7,000 people are missing in the Libyan port city of Derna. Relief efforts are hindered.

Members of the rescue teams from the Egyptian army carry a dead body

Members of the rescue teams from the Egyptian army carry a dead body

NGOs warns of disease outbreaks in flood-hit Libya

Emergency workers are struggling to reach survivors — and worries over disease outbreaks are mounting.

French aid workers wait by a cargo plane loaded with disaster relief for Libya, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 at the Istres military base, southern France

French aid workers wait by a cargo plane loaded with disaster relief for Libya, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 at the Istres military base, southern France

Libya flood: Global aid effort intensifies

The humanitarian response to the flooding in Libya was gathering pace on Thursday as the death toll continues to rise.

A man sits in front of his destroyed house in Derna, head in his hands

A man sits in front of his destroyed house in Derna, head in his hands

Libya flood damage

Thousands are dead and missing after catastrophic flooding caused massive destruction in northern Libya.