The Libyan Mess Today

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
The fight with ISIS in Libya seems to be over but the situation continues to be far from simple. And to make things more complicated, apparently Russia is getting involved. High level negotiations took place in Tobruk between Russian general staff and Khalif Khafar who is one of the warlords fighting for power in Libya. Shortly afterwards he visited the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier when it was in the Mediterranean, and a small portion of medical supplies were handed over to him.

Now it appears that two MiG-23 fighters were delivered to Libya, both with Russian air force markings. It's very likely that Belarus was used as an intermediary in the delivery, since Libya is still under sanctions.

Переговоры в Тобруке - Colonel Cassad
Хафтар на "Кузнецове" - Colonel Cassad
Два из трех МиГ-23, полученных ЛÐей из РоÑÑии, в процеÑÑе Ñборки в Бенгази: diana_mihailova
 

Toblerone

Banned Member
Calling him a warlord is a bit harsh. Chief of staff of the Libyan army under the internationally recognized government in Tobruk sounds much better on a resume.

From what I understand about this chaotic conflict, he seems to be the figurehead behind whom militarist, federalist, anti-islamist and pro-democracy factions gather. Generally.

Someone has to fix Obama's and Hillary's mistakes again and push back against the jihadis and the Muslim Brotherhood, not to mention the refugee crisis that has rocked Europe.

Give this patriot some Migs and tanks! :drunk1
 

chrislee

New Member
In the current situation It`s natural for Lybian leadership to seek a support from the world powers. Today Haftar is asking Russia for help, tomorrow he will be asking USA, a day after tomorrow - any of the other countries. And even if Putin provides Haftar with few Migs and tanks it doesn`t mean that Lybia will become Russia`s bulwark in the region. Nothing personal, just business.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4
In the current situation It`s natural for Lybian leadership to seek a support from the world powers. Today Haftar is asking Russia for help, tomorrow he will be asking USA, a day after tomorrow - any of the other countries. And even if Putin provides Haftar with few Migs and tanks it doesn`t mean that Lybia will become Russia`s bulwark in the region. Nothing personal, just business.
No, of course not. But the timing is interesting, and it comes as Russia's position in Syria seems to have solidified, giving Russia a true Mediterranean foothold for the first time.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
Meanwhile apparently Russian private military contractors performed mine-clearing duties in Libya. Details are lacking. This comes as the US claims they have detected something like Russian special forces and UAVs in Egypt near. The two may be one and the same group. Meanwhile the Libyans deny contacts with Russian private security, and Russia denies deploying any official military personnel.

О деÑтельноÑти роÑÑийÑких чаÑтных военных компаний в Ливии - bmpd
Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Reuters: ïîäðàçäåëåíèå ðîññèéñêîãî ñïåöíàçà ïðèáûëî íà ãðàíèöó ñ Ëèâèåé
Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com ::  Ëèâèè îòðèöàþò ñîòðóäíè÷åñòâî ñ ÷àñòíûìè âîåííûìè êîìïàíèÿìè èç ÐÔ

Libyan MiG-23s, Mi-8Ts, and Mi-35s, are carrying out airstrikes against various groups. The fighting appears to be centered around Ras-Lanouf airbase, and the surrounding area, which was first captured by local jihadis, and later recaptured by Khaftar's forces, with air support.

МиГ-23БРи Ми-8Т Ñ Ð»Ð¸Ð²Ð¸Ð¹Ñкой авиабазы Лабрак нанеÑли удар по боевикам "Ðль-Кайеды" в Дерна: diana_mihailova
ЛивиÑ. Трофейный Ми-35 (ÑкÑпортный Ми-24Ð’) - Юрий ЛÑмин
ЛивийÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð½Ð°Ñ†Ð¸Ð¾Ð½Ð°Ð»ÑŒÐ½Ð°Ñ Ð°Ñ€Ð¼Ð¸Ñ Ð¾Ñвободила РаÑ-Лануф при авиаподдержке МиГ-23УБ и МиГ-21МФ: diana_mihailova
ЛивийÑкие Ми-35П наноÑÑÑ‚ удар по иÑламиÑтам Saraya Defend Benghazi в РаÑ-Лануф: diana_mihailova
 
Top