The Libyan army led by Khalifa the Haftarot has dealt a serious blow to the militants in oil Crescent with the support of Moscow provided through the Libyan-Egyptian border.
Russia moves from diplomacy to military action
On Tuesday the forces of General Khalifa the Haftarot that support the House of representatives in Tobruk, launched an offensive to restore positions in two major oil regions in the North-East of the country, which are under the control of armed groups. In this regard, there was a message about sending of the Russian military base in Egypt on the Libyan border.
As stated by the Director of the press service of the Libyan army of Caliph al-Abidi, “was a joint attack by land, air and naval forces in order to liberate the port of RAS lanuf from the terrorists.”
He explained that “the commander of the Libyan army on Tuesday morning ordered to launch an attack on RAS lanuf and es-sider”. This is due to the fact that March 3, “Team defense Benghazi” took some positions in RAS lanuf.
Since then, the Libyan national army under the leadership of the Haftarah carries out daily air raids, but without the strengthening of their positions in the field.
Russia on the military frontier
The offensive of the Libyan army has coincided with talk of deploying several dozen Russian military until the end of February on the territory controlled by the Caliph Haftarot. As Moscow has been providing diplomatic support, it has caused concern among the Western countries, above all from Washington.
According to American and Egyptian diplomatic sources, a few days ago Russia has deployed special forces at a base in Western Egypt near the border with Libya.
American diplomats said that any such deployment may be considered as an attempt to provide military support to General Khalifa Haftarot that have made a new attempt to oppose the movement “Teams of defense Benghazi”, trying to regain control of oil ports.
Us officials, who wished to remain anonymous, said that around 100 km from Sidi Barani was spotted Russian drones on the border with Libya.
The Ministry of defense of Russia denied the information and confirmed the presence of Russian forces in Egypt.
Vladimir dzhabarov, first Deputy Chairman of the international Affairs Committee in the Federation Council, commented on the news about sending Russian forces on a military base in Egypt: “Russia didn’t do it. This is a fake news”.
Sources in the Egyptian security said some details, saying that the Russian division of special operations of the 22 person is present in Egypt, but refused to comment on the details of their mission. The source also added that in early February, Russia used a military base Marsa Matruh to the East of Sidi Barrani.
The last two years and Western countries, and the United States sent special forces and military advisers to Libya. However, the American army has denied the information that was provided to help in the operation against the “Islamic state” in Sirte last year.
The question about Russia’s role in Libya is particularly acute in light of the growing fears of Washington. America is afraid of intentions of Moscow to restore its influence in this oil country, which she had excellent relations during the Soviet Union.
The government in Tripoli, recognized by the UN, came to a standstill in the dialogue with the Haftarot and the Russian representatives in recent months. Moscow hopes to strengthen its diplomatic support to the Khalifa the Haftarot, despite the anger of Western countries. After all, Russia already has experience of intervention in Syria and support Bashar al-Assad.
The Libyan national army took control of four oil ports on the East — Suhotina, al-Burayka, RAS lanuf and es-sider. Through them you are exporting the greater part of the Libyan oil. Until September, these objects were under the control of the government, recognized by the international community.
“Libyan chaos” began after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Then, there were two competing centers of power — one is in Tripoli and is supported by the international community, the other in Tobruk and led by General Khalifa the Haftarot.
The movement “Teams of defense Benghazi” includes various islamistsa movement. They act against the forces of the Khalifa the Haftarot in the East of the country.
The national unity government (in Tripoli — approx. lane) stated that it has nothing to do with the escalation of the military conflict in the area of the oil Crescent ports and has no information on what forces are involved in these events. They also expressed their condemnation of what is happening, as it undermines the hopes of Libyans to stop the bloodshed.
