The spokesperson for the Al Kufrah Municipality announced the start of maintenance work on the old backup runway at Al Kufrah Airport, following a decision to close the airport for one month. He explained that the runway was hindering aircraft landings and causing damage to their wheels. Work is currently underway to rehabilitate a 400-meter section, with completion expected within one month.
He indicated that the development fund has assigned the task of maintaining the main runway, which has been out of service since 1993, to a Turkish company. He confirmed that the company has already arrived at the site, conducted a comprehensive survey, and will commence work within three months.
He clarified that completing the backup runway will allow for the resumption of flights soon, while work on the main runway will proceed in parallel. This will restore the airport’s full operational capacity with two runways, enhancing its handling capacity and air services.
International Accusations
This decision comes five years after the airport’s renovation in 2020, and following a report published last December, which revealed that the airport had recently transformed into a logistical hub for transporting dozens of cargo planes. These planes were believed to be carrying military supplies, fuel, and mercenaries to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.
The airport is located in a strategic position near the border triangle between Libya, Sudan, and Egypt, making it an ideal corridor for uncontrolled logistical operations. Despite denials, international reports confirmed that the airport played an influential role in the course of the Sudanese conflict, especially after the Sudanese army regained control of Khartoum and the battles shifted to the Darfur region.
Al Kufrah Municipality
Al Kufrah Municipality is a district in southeastern Libya, centered around the Kufra Oasis, which has historically been a vital stop on trans-Saharan trade routes. The area is known for its role in the Senussi Order’s resistance during the Italian colonization in the early 20th century. Today, it remains a strategically important but sparsely populated region.
Al Kufrah Airport
Al Kufrah Airport is a regional airport located near the town of Al Kufrah in southeastern Libya. Historically, it was a significant military airfield during World War II and later became a civilian airport serving the remote desert region.
Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, with a rich history as the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its cultural landscape is defined by iconic sites like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which has served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum, reflecting the country’s layered historical influences. Modern Turkey was founded as a republic in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
Sudan
Sudan, located in Northeast Africa, is home to ancient civilizations, most notably the Kingdom of Kush, which ruled from the city of Meroë and even conquered Egypt to establish the 25th Dynasty. Its modern history is marked by its independence from Anglo-Egyptian rule in 1956 and a complex legacy of civil conflict, culminating in the secession of South Sudan in 2011. The country features significant archaeological sites, including the pyramids of Meroë, and diverse cultural traditions from its numerous ethnic groups.
Libya
Libya is a North African country with a rich history rooted in ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians and Romans, followed by centuries of Arab and Ottoman influence. In the modern era, it was an Italian colony before gaining independence in 1951, later becoming known for Muammar Gaddafi’s lengthy rule from 1969 until the 2011 revolution. Its cultural sites include the well-preserved Roman ruins of Leptis Magna, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Egypt
Egypt, home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, is famed for the ancient pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, which date back over 4,500 years. Its rich history includes the Pharaonic kingdoms along the Nile River, followed by periods of Greek, Roman, Arab, and Ottoman rule. Today, it remains a major cultural and historical destination, centered on landmarks like Luxor’s temples and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Rapid Support Forces
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are a paramilitary group in Sudan that originated from the Janjaweed militias active in the Darfur conflict in the early 2000s. Formally established as an independent security force by the Sudanese government in 2013, the RSF has been a major belligerent in the Sudanese civil war that began in 2023, fighting against the Sudanese Armed Forces.
Khartoum
Khartoum is the capital city of Sudan, located at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers. Founded in 1821 as a military outpost for the Egyptian Ottoman Empire, it later became a center for trade and administration before serving as the seat of power for the Mahdist State in the 1880s. It was rebuilt after the Anglo-Egyptian reconquest in 1898 and has since remained the nation’s political and cultural hub.
Darfur
Darfur is a region in western Sudan that gained international attention in the early 2000s due to a devastating conflict and humanitarian crisis. Historically, it was an independent sultanate before being incorporated into Sudan in 1916, with long-standing tensions over resources and governance fueling the violence.
