Russia’s Wagner used chemical weapon, Libya says
Russia’s Wagner Group, one of the most controversial groups among mercenaries, used nerve agent against Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) forces in Salah al Din area in southern Tripoli, Libya's interior minister Fathi Bashagha said.
Protesters wear yellow vests at a protest as they wave national flags and chant slogans against Libya's warlord Khalifa Haftar, in Tripoli, Libya, April 19, 2019
Russian private military contractor Wagner was accused by Libya's interior minister on Wednesday of carrying out a chemical attack in Libya.
Wagner mercenaries used nerve agent against Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) forces in Salah al Din area in southern Tripoli, Fathi Bashagha told reporters.
“We are in a strong cooperation with Turkey, US and UK to ensure security in Libya,” Bashagha said.
The minister added that Tunisia and Algeria are also giving support to the country in issues of security.
Wagner Group
Russia’s Wagner Group is one of the most controversial groups among the mercenaries. It is owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman with close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Bloomberg, it was reported that the Wagner Group brought Russian pilots who carried out training activities for Haftar troops. Russian Sukhoi-22 type war planes were also seen in Libyan skies.
Mercenaries who previously had field experience in Ukraine, are fighting on the front-line in Libya, according to Euronews.
On January 11, Turkish President Recep Erdogan said that more than 2,000 Wagner mercenaries were currently fighting in Libya.
President Vladimir Putin, when asked about Russia's involvement in the Libyan conflict, replied that no Russian servicemen were in Libya acting on behalf of the Russian state or receiving payment from Russia.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) poses a threat to Libya's national security, Bashagha said, adding that the Arab country wants to continue the chaotic atmosphere in Libya.
Since the ouster of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya, supported by Egypt and the UAE, and the GNA in Tripoli, which enjoys UN and international recognition.
The GNA has been under attack by warlord Haftar's forces since last April, with more than 1,000 killed in the violence. The Tripoli government launched Operation Peace Storm on March 25 to counter attacks on the capital.
Copyright © 2024 TRT World.