The latest tragedies in the Mediterranean come as the Libyan arm of the Islamic State group (ISG) released a video purporting to show the killings of 30 Ethiopian Christians. Both incidents, on land and sea, are symptomatic of the instability that has plagued Libya since the overthrow of Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi in 2011.
The drownings and ISG killings highlight the determination of migrants to reach Europe despite the dangers.
The numbers of Eritrean migrants soared in 2014 -- they are the second-largest group coming to Italy by boat after Syrians.
The ISG killings of Ethiopian Christians will draw attention in Washington, but will not outweigh broader realist geopolitical concerns.
Ethiopia may use the incident as a way to reinforce its role as a key Western counter-terror ally in the Horn of Africa
