Intel: Russia may be reinforcing Libya’s Sirte ahead of expected offensive
The US military has released new aerial surveillance images purporting to show additional Russian military equipment in Libya in the latest sign the Kremlin may be gearing up to help Gen. Khalifa Hifter defend the strategic city of Sirte.
The US military has released new aerial surveillance images purporting to show additional Russian military equipment in Libya in the latest sign the Kremlin may be gearing up to help Gen. Khalifa Hifter defend the strategic city of Sirte.
The US Africa Command published photos today purporting to show Russian military planes and anti-aircraft vehicles at eastern Libya’s Khadim air base. AFRICOM also published photos of what it said were Russian armored vehicles near Sirte, which faces a looming offensive by Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord.
The Turkish government, which backs the Government of National Accord, has said the Tripoli-based government will not agree to a cease-fire with Hifter’s eastern forces until they and their foreign backers withdraw from Sirte and the strategic central Libyan air base at Jufra.
“Russian IL-76 aircraft travel from Syria into Libya regularly. Those flights can carry personnel, equipment, and supplies,” Col. Christopher Karns, an AFRICOM spokesperson, told Al-Monitor via email earlier this month.
