Plans for Libyan unity have been thrown into disarray following allegations that Saddam Haftar, son of the influential warlord Khalifa Haftar, was involved in a "terror cell" responsible for drone attacks on fuel storage facilities and power stations in western Libya. These attacks, which occurred in August, exacerbated existing electricity blackouts and intensified public pressure on the Tripoli-based government of national unity (GNU).

The GNU, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, has declared that working with Saddam Haftar is now "impossible." This development significantly undermines a US-backed plan aimed at merging Libya's fractured security, judicial, and political institutions. Saddam Haftar, who serves as the deputy commander of the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA), had previously been viewed by the United States as a key figure in its unification efforts.

The drone strikes are reportedly a result of Saddam Haftar's alleged anger over Prime Minister Dbeibah's perceived stalling on a potential unification deal. The proposed plan, reportedly hatched by Donald Trump's Africa adviser Massad Boulos, envisioned Khalifa Haftar assuming the role of president, with a member of the Dbeibah family taking on the prime ministership. Boulos had previously stated that the plan was not intended to entrench family elites, emphasizing that "those are individuals that have to be in one position or the other."

Libya has remained divided between the east, controlled by Khalifa Haftar's LNA, and the west, governed by the GNU, since the 2011 overthrow of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. This prolonged period of division has left the oil-rich nation vulnerable to corruption, militia influence, migrant trafficking, and interference from various external actors.

Four individuals were arrested in connection with the drone attacks on the Zawiya oil station, which resulted in a fire. While three of those arrested are Libyan nationals, their alleged link to Saddam Haftar has cast a long shadow over the prospects of a unified Libya.

The escalating tensions and the breakdown of cooperation signal a significant setback for international efforts to stabilize the country and establish a cohesive national government. The GNU's stance suggests that any future dialogue or cooperation with the Haftar-aligned forces will be severely hampered by these recent events.

Experts have noted that the reliance on figures like the Haftar family in unification plans is inherently risky, given their history of involvement in the ongoing conflict. The failure of this specific US-backed initiative could lead to a renewed push for alternative strategies, though the path forward remains uncertain.

Unresolved questions persist regarding the full extent of Saddam Haftar's alleged involvement, the identities of all parties involved in orchestrating the attacks, and the potential ramifications for future diplomatic and security initiatives in Libya.