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.



Palestinians Create Role for a Vice President and Possible Abbas Successor

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
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Palestinians Create Role for a Vice President and Possible Abbas Successor

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the 32nd Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Central Council session in Ramallah on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)

The Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday announced the creation of a vice presidency under 89-year-old leader Mahmoud Abbas, who has not specified a successor.
The PLO Central Council's decision came as Abbas seeks greater relevance and a role in postwar planning for the Gaza Strip after having been largely sidelined by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
After a two-day meeting, the council voted to create the role of vice chairman of the PLO Executive Committee. This position would also be referred to as the vice president of the State of Palestine, which the Palestinians hope will one day receive full international recognition.
The expectation is that whoever holds that role would be the front-runner to succeed Abbas — though it’s unclear when or exactly how it would be filled. Abbas is to choose his vice president from among the other 15 members of the PLO's executive committee.