Washington accuses Russia of sending warplanes to Libya

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 27 May 2020 by Alex Teddy
On May 26 the Pentagon said that Russia is sending military aircraft to support rebels in Libya. The US recognizes the Government of National Accord (GNA) which holds the UN seat for Libya. The US claims that Russian Air Force units flew to Syria where they were repainted to hide their livery. The airplanes then flew to Libya.Russia backs the Libyan National Army (LNA). These insurgents are led by Khalifa Haftar who is a Libyan-American. Haftar visited Moscow in 2019.Wagner Group is fighting in Libya. This Russian private military company has no connection to the Russian Government - so Moscow says. Mercenary activity is illegal but Wagner never gets into trouble. Many accused the Russian State of using Wagner as an unofficial. The US estimates there are 1 000 Wagner Group fighters in Libya and almost all of them are Russian. The deputy head of the Duma's Defense Committee said the American accusations were lies. Notably, the Defense Ministry and cabinet have not denied the allegations. The US released 15 photos purporting to show Russian military aircraft in Libyan. The US claims that the LNA and Wagner both lack the finances to buy such planes therefore the Russian State is directly providing air cover. Several other lands support the LNA. France is one of them. All other NATO countries including Turkey support the GNA.

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