Turkey looking at going into Libya against Russian mercenaries
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/r...ftar-29lzk6jnv
Russian arms and mercenaries pour in for rebel Libyan general Khalifa Haftar
Russia and other backers of Libya’s rebel movement are pouring arms and mercenary fighters into the country in advance of what is expected to be a key battle over oil facilities with Turkish-backed government forces.
On Sunday jets allied to the rebel general, Khalifa Haftar, struck a military base in Libya’s west being used by Turkey to aid the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). The attack on the al-Wattiya base, which had just taken delivery of an air defence system and housed other Turkish-supplied equipment, brings a proxy war between Russia and Turkey, along with their allies, to a head.
The GNA inflicted a humiliating defeat on Marshal Haftar’s forces in Tripoli in May, and went on to drive them out of the west of the country thanks to renewed Turkish military assistance, including the provision of Syrian mercenaries.
Russia was at the time rumoured to have become disillusioned with Marshal Haftar’s leadership. However, flight tracking websites have since picked up scores of military flights into the eastern half of the country, which is still controlled by the rebels. Tupolev and Ilyushin supply planes have been landing at the al-Khadim air base, east of Benghazi, which was developed by the United Arab Emirates, another Haftar backer.
President Assad of Syria has agreed to co-operate with Marshal Haftar, but more importantly Russia has itself begun recruiting fighters for him from pro-regime militias in the country......
The military build-up on either side is now focused on what could be the decisive battle of the civil war. Gaddafi’s birthplace Sirte, the major coastal city of central Libya, fell to Marshal Haftar’s forces in January as they besieged Tripoli, but the GNA and its Turkish backers are now determined to retake it. Sirte is the gateway to a string of major oil refineries and ports to the east, and their loss would be a possibly fatal blow to the rebels.
Anas el-Gomati, a Libyan analyst, said the Russians were flying in Syrian mercenaries, training them with the UAE, and inserting them in oil installations as a last line of defence. The rebels are holding out the possibility of demanding a separate state in the east of the country as an alternative to a stake in government of the whole of Libya, he said, and that would be impossible without control of some of the country’s oil.
“The mercenaries are being used as a force to secure the most sensitive infrastructure, so that it can be used as leverage in future negotiations,” Mr Gomati said.....
Russian arms and mercenaries pour in for rebel Libyan general Khalifa Haftar
Russia and other backers of Libya’s rebel movement are pouring arms and mercenary fighters into the country in advance of what is expected to be a key battle over oil facilities with Turkish-backed government forces.
On Sunday jets allied to the rebel general, Khalifa Haftar, struck a military base in Libya’s west being used by Turkey to aid the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). The attack on the al-Wattiya base, which had just taken delivery of an air defence system and housed other Turkish-supplied equipment, brings a proxy war between Russia and Turkey, along with their allies, to a head.
The GNA inflicted a humiliating defeat on Marshal Haftar’s forces in Tripoli in May, and went on to drive them out of the west of the country thanks to renewed Turkish military assistance, including the provision of Syrian mercenaries.
Russia was at the time rumoured to have become disillusioned with Marshal Haftar’s leadership. However, flight tracking websites have since picked up scores of military flights into the eastern half of the country, which is still controlled by the rebels. Tupolev and Ilyushin supply planes have been landing at the al-Khadim air base, east of Benghazi, which was developed by the United Arab Emirates, another Haftar backer.
President Assad of Syria has agreed to co-operate with Marshal Haftar, but more importantly Russia has itself begun recruiting fighters for him from pro-regime militias in the country......
The military build-up on either side is now focused on what could be the decisive battle of the civil war. Gaddafi’s birthplace Sirte, the major coastal city of central Libya, fell to Marshal Haftar’s forces in January as they besieged Tripoli, but the GNA and its Turkish backers are now determined to retake it. Sirte is the gateway to a string of major oil refineries and ports to the east, and their loss would be a possibly fatal blow to the rebels.
Anas el-Gomati, a Libyan analyst, said the Russians were flying in Syrian mercenaries, training them with the UAE, and inserting them in oil installations as a last line of defence. The rebels are holding out the possibility of demanding a separate state in the east of the country as an alternative to a stake in government of the whole of Libya, he said, and that would be impossible without control of some of the country’s oil.
“The mercenaries are being used as a force to secure the most sensitive infrastructure, so that it can be used as leverage in future negotiations,” Mr Gomati said.....
Administrator
Just a thought for those observing this with a critical eye.
The Russians are on the UN Security Council as a permanent member.
The 'UN-backed' description of the group supported by Turkey may become a moot point.
France is also on the Security Council as a permanent member. Paris appear to be taking a dim view of how Ankara is proceeding.
The Russians are on the UN Security Council as a permanent member.
The 'UN-backed' description of the group supported by Turkey may become a moot point.
France is also on the Security Council as a permanent member. Paris appear to be taking a dim view of how Ankara is proceeding.
To return to aviation content: air strikes reportedly took out some Turkish supplied air defense equipment on 05 July 2020.
Source is the New York Times, so you may run into a pay wall. (Excerpted from the larger article)
Source is the New York Times, so you may run into a pay wall. (Excerpted from the larger article)
Cairo — Libyan officials in the capital of Tripoli said Sunday that overnight airstrikes hit a key military base on the city’s outskirts that was recently retaken by Turkey-backed forces.
A spokesman for the Tripoli-based forces, Col. Mohamed Gnounou, said the strikes were carried out by “foreign jets” allied with military commander Khalifa Hifter.
Hifter’s forces are backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia, while Tripoli is backed by Turkey, Qatar and Italy. Libya has been divided between these two rival governments since 2015 — one in the east, allied with Hifter, and the U.N.-supported government in Tripoli.
The airstrikes late Saturday on the al-Waitya airbase in the desert southwestern of Tripoli destroyed military equipment recently brought in by Turkey, including air-defense systems, according to officials in Tripoli. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. An official with Hifter’s forces, Brig. Gen. Khaled al-Mahjoub, said at least nine targets at the base were hit.
A spokesman for the Tripoli-based forces, Col. Mohamed Gnounou, said the strikes were carried out by “foreign jets” allied with military commander Khalifa Hifter.
Hifter’s forces are backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia, while Tripoli is backed by Turkey, Qatar and Italy. Libya has been divided between these two rival governments since 2015 — one in the east, allied with Hifter, and the U.N.-supported government in Tripoli.
The airstrikes late Saturday on the al-Waitya airbase in the desert southwestern of Tripoli destroyed military equipment recently brought in by Turkey, including air-defense systems, according to officials in Tripoli. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. An official with Hifter’s forces, Brig. Gen. Khaled al-Mahjoub, said at least nine targets at the base were hit.
Rumours are that the strike was undertaken by UAE Mirages.
You'd have thought that the first thing you would have done was put a CAP over the airbase while the AD systems were brought online. A bit of payback for plinking all of those Pantsirs I guess.
You'd have thought that the first thing you would have done was put a CAP over the airbase while the AD systems were brought online. A bit of payback for plinking all of those Pantsirs I guess.
Rumours are that the strike was undertaken by UAE Mirages.
@dead_pan, I guess they weren't tracked by FR24.
@dead_pan, I guess they weren't tracked by FR24.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://aviationweek.com/defense-spa...-29-aug-5-2020
U.S. Africom Confirms Su-24s in Libya
U.S. Africa Command (Africom) has confirmed the presence of Russian Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer fighter bombers in Libya, releasing satellite imagery of the Libyan National Army-controlled Al-Khadim air base. Three Su-24s can be seen in the images released by Africom on July 24: Two are parked on the airfield’s flight line, while the nose of a third is visible under a partially constructed sun shelter nearby. Commercial satellite imagery had already confirmed the presence of Su-24s at Al-Khadim.
Africom revealed the presence of Russian combat aircraft in Libya in May, providing imagery of both Su-24s and MiG-29s in transit to the North African state, but it presented images of MiG-29s on the ground only at Al-Jufrah air base. As many as 14 Russian combat aircraft may be on the ground in Libya, Africom has previously said.
Both Al-Jufrah, 140 mi. southwest of the Libyan city of Sirte, and Al-Khadim, near Benghazi, are under the control of the Libyan National Army led by Gen. Khalifa Belqasim Haftar and supported by Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Africom is particularly concerned with the Russian presence in the country, which is apparently spearheaded by personnel from the Wagner Group, a private military contractor that has support from Moscow. Over the past several weeks, Africom has been documenting and releasing overhead imagery of the “broad scope” of Russian involvement, says U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Gregory Hadfield, Africom’s deputy director of intelligence. Hadfield says Russia is attempting to gain a “foothold” in the country.
Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 airlifters have been flying in supplies, including air defense equipment, utility trucks and Russian mine-resistant/ambush-protected vehicles. Two Il-76s can be seen in imagery provided by Africom.
“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,” says Brig. Gen. Bradford Gering, Africom’s director of operations.
Al-Khadim has previously been associated with a presence by United Arab Emirates armed forces, but there is no sign of UAE forces in the images presented by the U.S.
U.S. Africom Confirms Su-24s in Libya
U.S. Africa Command (Africom) has confirmed the presence of Russian Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer fighter bombers in Libya, releasing satellite imagery of the Libyan National Army-controlled Al-Khadim air base. Three Su-24s can be seen in the images released by Africom on July 24: Two are parked on the airfield’s flight line, while the nose of a third is visible under a partially constructed sun shelter nearby. Commercial satellite imagery had already confirmed the presence of Su-24s at Al-Khadim.
Africom revealed the presence of Russian combat aircraft in Libya in May, providing imagery of both Su-24s and MiG-29s in transit to the North African state, but it presented images of MiG-29s on the ground only at Al-Jufrah air base. As many as 14 Russian combat aircraft may be on the ground in Libya, Africom has previously said.
Both Al-Jufrah, 140 mi. southwest of the Libyan city of Sirte, and Al-Khadim, near Benghazi, are under the control of the Libyan National Army led by Gen. Khalifa Belqasim Haftar and supported by Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Africom is particularly concerned with the Russian presence in the country, which is apparently spearheaded by personnel from the Wagner Group, a private military contractor that has support from Moscow. Over the past several weeks, Africom has been documenting and releasing overhead imagery of the “broad scope” of Russian involvement, says U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Gregory Hadfield, Africom’s deputy director of intelligence. Hadfield says Russia is attempting to gain a “foothold” in the country.
Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 airlifters have been flying in supplies, including air defense equipment, utility trucks and Russian mine-resistant/ambush-protected vehicles. Two Il-76s can be seen in imagery provided by Africom.
“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,” says Brig. Gen. Bradford Gering, Africom’s director of operations.
Al-Khadim has previously been associated with a presence by United Arab Emirates armed forces, but there is no sign of UAE forces in the images presented by the U.S.
Chinese manufactured weapons being sent from the UAE and used for strikes in Libya. What is the professional military opinion of this BBC investigation?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53917791
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53917791
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Qatar to support Turkey with military airlift under the guise of a training agreement ? Alert 5
Qatar to support Turkey with military airlift under the guise of a training agreement
Nordic Monitor has obtained and published a technical agreement document between Qatar and Turkey.
While the agreement is to permit Qatar to send up to 36 military aircraft and not more than 250 personnel to Turkey for training, the agreement also allows Qatar to transport Turkish military equipment, material, dangerous goods, ammunition, personnel or humanitarian aid materials inside and outside of Turkey.
In fact, in point 9 under the Implementation and Procedures, “training flights of Qatar inside Turkey are to be conducted during air transportation missions as much as possible.”
Under point 10, “in case of a support requirement of (Turkey), (Qatar) is to avail of its other type of aircraft in (Qatar’s) inventory for transportation of (Turkey’s) military equipment, material, dangerous goods, ammunition, personnel or humanitarian aid materials, if it is deemed suitable by competent authority of Qatar.”
Qatar aircraft may use another airfield or base temporarily for training, exercise or transport of materials in coordination with Turkey, says point 11.
Turkey also requires Qatar to allow one of its transport pilot to be inside the cockpit of a Qataris transportation aircraft sortie. At least one Turkish load master will also be inside the same aircraft to handle administrative work.
Both Qatar and Turkey supports the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) of Libya. Turkey has been sending troops and weapons to Libya, the agreement could see Qatar assist Turkey in the latter’s military intervention in the country.
For more information, hit the Source below
Source
Qatar to support Turkey with military airlift under the guise of a training agreement
Nordic Monitor has obtained and published a technical agreement document between Qatar and Turkey.
While the agreement is to permit Qatar to send up to 36 military aircraft and not more than 250 personnel to Turkey for training, the agreement also allows Qatar to transport Turkish military equipment, material, dangerous goods, ammunition, personnel or humanitarian aid materials inside and outside of Turkey.
In fact, in point 9 under the Implementation and Procedures, “training flights of Qatar inside Turkey are to be conducted during air transportation missions as much as possible.”
Under point 10, “in case of a support requirement of (Turkey), (Qatar) is to avail of its other type of aircraft in (Qatar’s) inventory for transportation of (Turkey’s) military equipment, material, dangerous goods, ammunition, personnel or humanitarian aid materials, if it is deemed suitable by competent authority of Qatar.”
Qatar aircraft may use another airfield or base temporarily for training, exercise or transport of materials in coordination with Turkey, says point 11.
Turkey also requires Qatar to allow one of its transport pilot to be inside the cockpit of a Qataris transportation aircraft sortie. At least one Turkish load master will also be inside the same aircraft to handle administrative work.
Both Qatar and Turkey supports the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) of Libya. Turkey has been sending troops and weapons to Libya, the agreement could see Qatar assist Turkey in the latter’s military intervention in the country.
For more information, hit the Source below
Source
