US Accuses Russia of Shipping More Military Supplies to Libya

This July 14, 2020, satellite image released by the US Africa Command reportedly shows proof of Russia's involvement in Libya by showing Wagner utility trucks and Russian mine-resistant, ambush-protected armored vehicles in Libya. (Photo by - / US Africa Command / AFP)
This July 14, 2020, satellite image released by the US Africa Command reportedly shows proof of Russia's involvement in Libya by showing Wagner utility trucks and Russian mine-resistant, ambush-protected armored vehicles in Libya. (Photo by - / US Africa Command / AFP)
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US Accuses Russia of Shipping More Military Supplies to Libya

This July 14, 2020, satellite image released by the US Africa Command reportedly shows proof of Russia's involvement in Libya by showing Wagner utility trucks and Russian mine-resistant, ambush-protected armored vehicles in Libya. (Photo by - / US Africa Command / AFP)
This July 14, 2020, satellite image released by the US Africa Command reportedly shows proof of Russia's involvement in Libya by showing Wagner utility trucks and Russian mine-resistant, ambush-protected armored vehicles in Libya. (Photo by - / US Africa Command / AFP)

The US military accused Russia on Friday of supplying more weapons, air defense systems and mercenaries to Libya's front lines.

The US Africa Command, or AFRICOM, said there was verified photographic evidence on Russia’s increased military support for Libyan National Army (LNA) leader Khalifa Haftar.

“The type and volume of equipment demonstrates an intent toward sustained offensive combat action capabilities, not humanitarian relief, and indicates the Russian Ministry of Defense is supporting these operations,” said US Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, AFRICOM director of operations.

The statement warned that Russia, in a bid to “establish a long-term presence" on the Mediterranean, was fueling the mayhem in Libya, “increasing the risk for miscalculation leading to continued and needless violence.”

In its latest deployments, Russian military cargo planes landed at al-Khadim airfield to support hundreds of mercenaries supplied by the Wagner Group, a Kremlin-linked private military company, AFRICOM said.

Moscow is also operating air defense equipment “through Wagner Group or their proxies,” and providing mine-resistant armored vehicles, the statement added.

Previously, the US military accused Russia of sending 14 fighter jets to Jufra airbase and claimed Wagner mercenaries planted landmines and improvised explosive devices in Tripoli’s civilian neighborhoods.



Trump Cites Progress on Gaza Hostage Talks

Trump Cites Progress on Gaza Hostage Talks
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Trump Cites Progress on Gaza Hostage Talks

Trump Cites Progress on Gaza Hostage Talks

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said progress was being made regarding the return of the hostages being held in Gaza and that he was dealing with both Israel and Hamas, but he gave no other details about the talks.

Israel resumed its war against Hamas in Gaza last month after an eight-week ceasefire collapsed. The ceasefire brought a much-needed reprieve from the fighting to war-weary Palestinians in Gaza and sent an infusion of humanitarian aid to the territory. It also led to the release of 25 living Israeli hostages held in Gaza and the return of the remains of eight others, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Mediators have since attempted to bring the sides to a bridging agreement that would again pause the war, free hostages and open the door for talks on the war's end, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he won't agree to until Hamas is defeated. Hamas wants the war to end before it frees the remaining 59 hostages it holds, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
The war, which was sparked by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel, has seen the deadliest fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in their history. It has ignited a humanitarian crisis in already impoverished Gaza, and has sent shockwaves across the region and beyond.