Eurasia Press & News
The Libyan National Army [LNA – ed.], led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, received a repaired Soviet Dolphin-class warship under Project 1159, with the help of which it should repel possible Turkish attacks off the coast of Libya.
As we reported some time ago, several transport planes were sent from Russia to Libya, transporting and delivering weapons to Haftar’s army. According to local sources, there were Russian engineers on board who were sent to repair the battleship Dolphin, which was anchored in Libya. Apparently they managed to do it, as sources report that he is already in the water.
The main problem that anchored the ship off the coast of Libya was damage and a malfunctioning power plant.
We remind you that both Haftar’s forces and the forces of the Government of National Accord [GNA – ed.], which are backed by Turkey, are currently preparing and may soon enter the battle for the key city of Sirte in Libya.
The area where the city of Sirte is located is known for its rich oil reserves. The Dolphin-class ship of the Libyan National Army is currently in the port of Ras Lanuf, which is in this area around Sirte.
However, there is very little information about the armament of the said ship. What is known for sure is the fact that this type of ship is armed with P-20 missiles, which remain at a significantly stable level to deal with a possible naval enemy. However, it is not clear whether Russia did not supply additional weapons systems and weapons for this ship in the last deliveries we have already talked about.
Russia, Turkey, UAE and Qatar violated arms embargo to Libya, UN report said
A number of countries, including Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the parties to the Libyan conflict supported by them, have been seen in violation of the UN embargo on arms supplies to Libya, the Associated press (AP) reported on September 10, citing a report from the UN sanctions oversight committee of experts.
The embargo was also violated by 11 companies, including PMC Wagner, which, according to experts, provided 800-1200 mercenaries in May to help the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar.
According to observers, Russia transported at least two types of weapons to Libya: the MiG-29 fighter, which operated from the Al-Jufra airbase, and the Su-24 tactical front-line bomber, which took off from the Al-Jufra and Al- Kadim. In addition, an unidentified private military company with ties to Russia has donated a “modernized version of the main battle tank.”
In turn, according to the committee, PMC “Wagner” to support the operations of the LNA transported “private military operatives”, equipment and two armored personnel carriers. At the same time, the “operatives” participated in the withdrawal of LNA detachments from Beni Walid on May 27. On July 1, the presence of PMC Wagner forces was recorded at five air bases: Al-Jufra, Brak al-Shat, Gardabiya, Sabha and Wadden, and on the territory of the largest oil field in Libya, Ash -Sharara.
Experts claim that Russia also supplied LNA with cargo that was delivered by air from the Russian Federation through Syria to the eastern part of Libya.
In addition to PMC Wagner, the UN accused 10 more companies of violating the arms embargo that provided logistical support to the LNA – airlines registered in Kazakhstan, Syria, Ukraine, Tajikistan, as well as two companies from the UAE.
Libyan civil war
Having ruled the country since 1969, Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in the 2011 civil war. As a result, the country found itself in a situation of dual power: in the east, a parliament is sitting in Tobruk, supported by the Libyan national army, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and in the west, in Tripoli, a government of national accord.
In Libya, armed clashes are currently taking place between supporters of different leaders. The country is led by the Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Prime Minister Fayez Saraj, the “eastern government” led by Abdullah Abdurrahaman at-Thani.
The eastern government is supported by the commander of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar.
Recall that January 13 in Moscow, negotiations were held between the heads of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalif Haftar and the Government of National Accord (GNA) Faiz Sarraj. Also present were members of the Foreign Ministries of Russia and Turkey.
On the meeting the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, has notified Russia about the conditions for continuing negotiations on the signing of a peace agreement in Libya.
According to the requirements of Haftar, the militias operating in Libya are required to surrender weapons in the period from 45 to 90 days. This process should be controlled by a special commission created by the LNA together with the UN.
Haftar also refused to recognize Turkey as an intermediary in resolving the situation in Libya, since the Turkish side is not neutral and supports the Government of National Accord (GNA).
At the same time, the GNA is actively supporting Turkey, and Egypt and Saudi Arabia are on the side of the LNA. Its unofficial allies are France and the UAE.
