Posted on 05/26/2020 10:50:43 AM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
U.S. Africa Command assesses that Moscow recently deployed military fighter aircraft to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors (PMCs) operating on the ground there.
Russian military aircraft are likely to provide close air support and offensive fires for the Wagner Group PMC that is supporting the Libyan National Army's (LNA) fight against the internationally recognized Government of National Accord. The Russian fighter aircraft arrived in Libya, from an airbase in Russia, after transiting Syria where it is assessed they were repainted to camouflage their Russian origin.
"Russia is clearly trying to tip the scales in its favor in Libya. Just like I saw them doing in Syria, they are expanding their military footprint in Africa using government-supported mercenary groups like Wagner," said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command. "For too long, Russia has denied the full extent of its involvement in the ongoing Libyan conflict. Well, there is no denying it now. We watched as Russia flew fourth generation jet fighters to Libya -- every step of the way. Neither the LNA nor private military companies can arm, operate and sustain these fighters without state support -- support they are getting from Russia."
Russia has employed state-sponsored Wagner in Libya to conceal its direct role and to afford Moscow plausible deniability of its malign actions. U.S. Africa Command assesses Moscow's military actions have prolonged the Libyan conflict and exacerbated casualties and human suffering on both sides.
“The world heard Mr. Haftar declare he was about to unleash a new air campaign. That will be Russian mercenary pilots flying Russian-supplied aircraft to bomb Libyans,” Townsend said.
U.S. Africa Command assesses that Russia is not interested in what is best for the Libyan people but are working to achieve their own strategic goals instead.
"If Russia seizes basing on Libya's coast, the next logical step is they deploy permanent long-range anti-access area denial (A2AD) capabilities," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Jeff Harrigian, commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. "If that day comes, it will create very real security concerns on Europe's southern flank."
Russia’s destabilizing actions in Libya will also exacerbate the regional instability that has driven the migration crisis affecting Europe.
Editor’s Note: Imagery of the Russian aircraft can be found at: https://go.usa.gov/xwaSf
LIBYA
05.26.2020
Courtesy Photo
U.S. Africa Command
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Russian fighter jets were recently deployed to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors (PMCs) operating on the ground there. The Russian fighter aircraft arrived in Libya, from an airbase in Russia, after transiting Syria where it is assessed they were repainted to camouflage their Russian origin.
“The world heard Mr. Haftar declare he was about to unleash a new air campaign. That will be Russian mercenary pilots flying Russian-supplied aircraft to bomb Libyans,” said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command. (Date taken = date uploaded to DVIDS)
Which Libyans is the question.
Not knowing anything else, I will ask the oft asked question, why should we care? What could Moscow do to Libya that they already havent proven to be foolish in Syria?
This conflict is a little confusing re which side we’re backing. On one hand, Haftar was a 20-year US resident that we accepted along with hundreds of his men as refugees. Then you have Pompeo at State calling for a ceasefire after Haftar suffered some military setbacks. I don’t recall Pompeo calling for a pause in fighting when Haftar was advancing.
On the other, you have DoD spokespeople complaining about the Russians backing Haftar. And the Russians are really jumping in with both feet - using manned fighter aircraft instead of the unmanned drones that the Turks have been using to drive Haftar’s men back. So far, the Turks have lost a couple of these drones, but the price may have been worth paying, given Haftar’s retreat in the past few days. But if the Russians start shooting down those Turkish drones, better days may be ahead for Haftar and his men.
So they aren’t doing best for the Libyan people, only advancing their self interest? It’s shameful when other people don’t act as altruistic as NATO does.
When we joined Al-Qaeda and flew top cover for them in Libya, we only had the best interest of Libya heart.
Sounds like some neocons are trying to get Trump interested in another war besides Syria
We are on whatever side Russia isn’t.
I’m OK with the US and Russia playing “let’s you and him fight” with the terrorist factions until there are no more militant muslims anywhere on earth.
US Africa Command? Didn’t know we had one.
I agree, who cares?
After 911, Kadhaffy turned over all of his chemical weapons to the Bush administration. He made sure to distance himself from the Islamic terrorists that attacked us. He had already been bombed once in the 80s by Reagan and knew the threat.
A decade later, we thank him by launching the Arab spring on him We fly top cover for our black flag waving Al Qeida. He winds up dead with a bayonet literally shoved up his ass. Millions of Africans flood across the Mediterranean from Libya into Europe. We use Benghazi as a location to buy and smuggle weapons to turkey to provide to ISIS. Oops, I mean Syrian resistance freedom fighters. They thank us by attacking our embassy.
God only knows what the future is bringing us from the genius brain trust in AFRICOM, DC and Brussels
Here we go again. Russia eating our lunch. Thanks to Barry Soetoro...
Yep. Obama and CIA’s Petraeus did more damage to North Africa, Syria and Europe than any regime since Hitler. In the long term, it might be worse.
We are on whatever side Russia isn’t.
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Well, I’m on the side that Turkey isn’t on. Sometimes, perhaps by happenstance, the Russians are on the right side. This is one of those times.
Re: Yep. Obama and CIA’s Petraeus did more damage to North Africa, Syria and Europe than any regime since Hitler. In the long term, it might be worse.
DC did this. DC is still doing the same kinds of things. Covert and _intelligence_ which does not care about USAians........
Huh?
AFRICOM. Been there for many years. Obama purged a hugely qualified commander there, General Carter Ham. He was to much of a patriot to suit Obama.
Obama, Hillary, McCain, they sure worked their magic with the Muslim brotherhood. Libya is ever so much better now. /s
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