Report: In the digital space, which has become a new arena for the Libyan conflict, an increasingly alarming phenomenon is emerging: organized campaigns of negative reactions on the Facebook platform. These campaigns systematically target posts that highlight significant achievements and events in the areas under the control of the Libyan government appointed by the House of Representatives. Thousands of negative reactions, originating from fake accounts in Asian countries far removed from Libyan affairs, such as Thailand and Vietnam, raise serious questions about who is behind them and what their objectives are.
A Recurring Pattern… and Specific Goals
These attacks are not random; they follow a clear and calculated pattern. As soon as any positive content related to development projects or major events in the country’s east and south is published, it is inundated with thousands of negative reactions within hours. According to analysts, the goal is not merely to express dissent but to tarnish the public image and create a false impression of widespread popular rejection of these achievements—a falsehood exposed by the geographical origin of these accounts.
The latest victim of this electronic warfare was the “First Annual Arab Media Conference,” recently hosted by the city of Benghazi. Posts about this event, which brought together prominent media figures from across the Arab world, were subjected to a fierce reaction campaign in a clear attempt to downplay its significance, suggest its failure, or give attendees a negative impression of the host city.
Tracing the threads of these campaigns leads to previous incidents that targeted vital entities, most notably the National Development Agency. This government body, which is behind ambitious strategic projects aimed at reviving the local economy and improving infrastructure, has been a frequent target. Smear campaigns have affected posts related to the Free Zone project in Sirte, the vital SSS road connecting Sirte to southern Libya and into the African interior, as well as projects to rehabilitate Sabha International Airport and Ajdabiya International Stadium.
Perhaps the most telling incident that revealed the scale of the organized targeting occurred during the US Ambassador’s visit to the National Development Agency headquarters in Sirte. The same pattern of electronic attack was observed on posts covering the visit, suggesting the existence of an operations room that monitors and directs these fake accounts to strike any content that conveys a sense of legitimacy, success, or international support for institutions in eastern Libya.
Who is Behind the Curtain?
Accusations, albeit unofficially, point towards media platforms affiliated with or loyal to the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli, headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. Observers believe this tactic reflects an inability to counter achievements on the ground, resorting instead to “electronic armies” to falsify public awareness and project a negative image of their political rival.
Further fueling these suspicions is a revelation from one of the pages subjected to these attacks. When the page was restricted and its administrators contacted Facebook’s technical support team, the latter stated that the restriction was based on complaints filed by “prestigious media entities and government institutions,” without disclosing their identities.
This action aligns with testimonies from journalists and political figures opposed to the Dbeibeh government, who confirmed that their personal and official pages have been subjected to organized mass-reporting campaigns that led to their restriction or deletion. According to their sources, these reports come directly from the Internal Security Agency and other government institutions affiliated with the Government of National Unity.
The impact of these campaigns goes beyond merely flooding posts with negative reactions. It poses a real threat to the credibility of information and contributes to deepening societal division. The average citizen may fall victim to this disinformation, believing that there is genuine popular discontent, which in turn affects their trust in national institutions and reinforces political polarization.
At a time when Libya is striving for stability and reconstruction, this hidden war in the virtual world serves as a reminder that the conflict is not over. Instead, it is taking on new, more complex forms, targeting minds before targeting land.