2024-04-27 20:57:58
The Irish Times newspaper revealed that former soldiers in the elite wing of the Irish Army have resumed training Khalifa Haftar’s forces despite government warnings.
The newspaper explained that the Irish training company “ETS” is currently training sixteen trainees from Haftar’s forces under a contract worth more than ten million euros that will last until next year.
The newspaper pointed out that it had published an investigation this month clarifying the details of the contract concluded between the Irish company and Haftar to train a special forces unit in clear violation of the arms embargo imposed on Libya.
On April 18, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Michael Martin said that they had opened an investigation into alleged violations committed by an Irish company, led by former soldiers in the Defense Forces, which provided military training to Haftar’s forces in 2023.
Martin added in press statements that what these soldiers did harms Ireland’s reputation by violating the United Nations and European Union sanctions imposed on Libya, noting that the police are investigating the matter.
The Irish Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that he asked his country’s authorities to consider legislative options to strengthen the law and penalties for anyone found to have participated in illegal activity of the sanctioned regimes.
The Irish Times newspaper revealed that former soldiers were training for forces affiliated with Khalifa Haftar in Libya in conjunction with the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations on the country and its violation of the training ban law.
According to what was reported by the Irish newspaper, the training, which was conducted by a company called Irish Training Solutions, was designated for the 166th Infantry Brigade of the General Command, using former Irish soldiers to train the military forces.
The training course included training special forces in close-range combat, home attacks, and drug smuggling raids, as well as in the use of firearms and mortars, reconnaissance and medical training.
The Irish newspaper indicated that the company obtained a contract worth millions of euros between 2023 and 2024 to train military forces and provide brigades with equipment and uniforms, according to the newspaper’s investigation.
The investigation also revealed that the salaries of Irish coaches were transferred to a company based in Dubai called “SOF Training” to avoid Irish attempts to scrutinize the company’s activity.
Source: newspaperThe Iris Times+ Libya Al-Ahrar Channel
2024-04-27 20:57:58