2024-05-14 14:36:31
A Daily Express report warned that Russian influence in Libya and Africa will soon reach “dangerous levels” unless the West acts more decisively.
The newspaper confirmed in its report on Sunday that Moscow in Libya has allowed its mercenaries to earn 5 billion pounds sterling from oil sales since 2022, noting that the monthly salary of soldiers in Libya amounts to 20 million pounds sterling.
The newspaper indicated that the Russian force in Libya includes 15 Russian pilots, 35 technical experts, and 80 administrative employees.
Two days ago, an investigative investigation conducted by “All Eyes on Wagner,” an independent organization based in the United States of America, in cooperation with the “Verstka” news website and with the support of Radio Free Europe, revealed that Russia had transferred a large number of soldiers and mercenaries to Libya during the three months. past.
According to the investigation, there are currently at least 1,800 Russians in the country, mainly stationed in the eastern region controlled by Khalifa Haftar’s forces.
Transferring military personnel under the cover of a paramilitary organization
The investigation reported that the transfer of Russian soldiers took place under the cover of a paramilitary organization, and they are believed to belong to the so-called “African Directorate” of the Wagner Group, or perhaps to the “African Corps” of the Russian Military Intelligence Service.
The investigation added that some of these soldiers are responsible for training Libyan fighters and recruits in the African Corps, while others carry out special tasks such as transporting military equipment.
Strengthening the Russian presence at Brak Al-Shati base
This information comes weeks after reports by the Italian “Nova” agency that Russia transferred Wagner mercenaries from the Brak al-Shati base in southern Libya to other African countries, and replaced them with soldiers affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
“Nova” suggested that the new Russian presence in Libya has increasing strategic importance, especially with the location of the Brak Al-Shati base far from residential areas, noting that senior leaders and military officers in “Wagner” are stationed at the Tamanhint base located in the municipality of Wadi Al-Bawanis.
Khaled Haftar’s visit to Moscow
The investigation indicated that the recent visit of Khalifa Haftar’s son Khaled to Moscow aims to train his new forces called the “Libyan National Army Security Forces.”
Nova sources add that Khaled Haftar is very impressed with the Russians and their weapons, and he commands these forces, which include the Khaled bin Al-Walid Brigade.
Delivery of military equipment from Syria to Libya
The investigation pointed out that two Russian ships were spotted in the Syrian port of Tartous last April, before they were later spotted in the port of Tobruk, suggesting that this operation was the fifth of its kind in only 45 days, and included the delivery of vehicles and weapons to Haftar’s forces.
Russian influence extends to neighboring countries
The investigation indicates that Russian influence extends to other countries in the region, such as Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, where Russian diplomats graduated from the school of a former senior commander in the KGB hold ambassadorial positions, and the former commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, General Sergei Surovikin, plays an important role in The region as a military representative in Algeria, and is said to have visited Libya regularly.
Russia is a new security partner in the region
The investigation warned that Russia has become a new security partner for the North Africa and Sahel region, as it controls a corridor extending from North Africa to the borders of the Sahel region, all the way to its bases in Syria.
Source: Western newspapers
2024-05-14 14:36:31