Click to see full-size image
On July 26th, a video was published on Twitter purportedly showing mercenaries from the mythical Wagner PMC, flying out with a helicopter from Benghazi, Libya.
PMC Wagner mercenaries flying out with a helicopter from Benina Airport in #Benghazi .#Libya pic.twitter.com/jknLK0nbOk
— Ouais Hasairi | أويس الحصائري (@HasairiOuais) July 26, 2020
Following a geolocation check, the supposed mercenaries were, in fact, flying over Benghazi, Libya.
The video was recorded near Benina Airport, Benghazi. The individuals in the video took off from Benina Airport and flying towards southwest.
— Ouais Hasairi | أويس الحصائري (@HasairiOuais) July 26, 2020
Furthermore, US Africa Command accused Russia of sending arms to the Libyan National Army (LNA) in Libya.
“Russian military cargo aircraft, including IL-76s, continue to supply Wagner fighters. Russian air defense equipment, including SA-22s, are present in Libya & operated by Russia, the Wagner Group or their proxies”
.@USAfricaCommand again accuses Russia of sending arms to Libya: “Russian military cargo aircraft, including IL-76s, continue to supply Wagner fighters. Russian air defense equipment, including SA-22s, are present in Libya & operated by Russia, the Wagner Group or their proxies”
— Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) July 24, 2020
Declassified imagery from African Command also supposedly showed presence of Wagner group mercenaries in Sirte.
Additional @USAfricaCommand imagery purporting to show Wagner utility trucks and Russian mine-resistant, ambushprotected armored vehicles operating in Sirte, Libya. pic.twitter.com/8UCaTFm494
— Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) July 24, 2020
Meanwhile, hostilities are potentially about to begin around Sirte, as the Government of National Accord and its Turkish support are moving troops towards the city.
?? مزيد من التعزيزات لقوات الجيش الليبي التابع لحكومة الوفاق مساء اليوم لمحاور سرت/الجفرة.
— المخبر الليبي?? (@FB17AK) July 26, 2020
More & more #GNA reinforcement. pic.twitter.com/oDzxWV1xJi
— KRS (@alkaraisili) July 26, 2020
The Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesperson, Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Mesmari said that Misrata airport had been entirely turned into a Turkish military base that is to be used to “seize the oil Crescent areas.”
عاجل | المتحدث باسم الجيش الليبي: مصراتة تحولت إلى قاعدة تستخدمها القوات التركية محاولة الاستيلاء على مناطق الهلال النفطي
— العين الإخبارية – عاجل (@AlainBRK) July 26, 2020
He also said that both Turkey and Qatar had no wish to rescue Libya from the crisis, but rather deepen it.
“We will continue to work to save Libya from Turkish occupation and colonialism,” he vowed on behalf of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s forces.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
