The Small Arms Survey and Armament Research Services (ARES) released study findings that indicate a major source for arms deals in Libya is the internet.
As the Gaddafi regime fell, their arsenal was raided by arms dealers and groups, and thus the market became flooded with weaponry.
These new online marketplaces, unregulated and reminiscent of the black market, are hosted in closed groups on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram.
More than 1,300 sales turned up in 18 months while ARES tracked groups and individual arms dealers active online—these findings are only a brief glimpse at how armed groups move their weapons via the internet.
Alongside Libya, experts notice Syria, Iraq, and Yemen have shown similar trends in weapon sales.
And these aren’t sales exclusive to guns.
According to a New York Times report, studies have found sales of heavy machine guns, portable air defense systems, anti-tank guided weaponry, rocket launchers, and grenade launchers.
The Times concluded most of the exchanges are between militia and smaller armed groups, whether it be for complete weapons, their technologies or just parts.
Facebook and Instagram have bans enacted on private firearm sales and both have been working to remove content of the like.
