The US Army has accused the Russian mercenary troop Wagner of laying numerous land mines in the region of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. „Verified photographic evidence“ would show that Wagner had placed „cloaked bombs and minefields“ around the suburbs of Tripoli and the eastern coastal city of Sirte, the US Military Command for Africa (AFRICOM) said today.
AFRICOM sees violation of UN embargo
This is a new violation of the UN arms embargo against Libya and is endangering the lives of innocent civilians. „The Wagner group, supported by the Russian state, shows complete disregard for the security of the Libyans,“ said AFRICOM Major General Bradford Gering. „The irresponsible tactics of the Wagner group prolong the conflict and are responsible for the unnecessary suffering and death of innocent civilians. Russia has the power to stop it, but not the will. “
The United States has repeatedly accused Russia of interfering in the civil war in Libya through the mercenary force. In May AFRICOM announced the deployment of Russian fighter jets to support Libyan general Khalifa Haftar, who is fighting the unity government in Tripoli. UN experts confirmed the use of Wagner mercenaries in the fighting in Libya at the beginning of May.
Group is said to be close to Putin
Moscow denies any responsibility for the deployment of the mercenaries. The group is said to be close to President Vladimir Putin.
Haftar’s troops have been waging an offensive against the United Nations-backed United Nations government in Tripoli for more than a year. In addition to Russia, other foreign countries are also involved in the conflict: the unitary government is supported by Qatar and Turkey, the Haftar troops alongside Russia by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
