No Result
View All Result
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
22 °c
Tripoli
22 ° Thu
21 ° Fri
20 ° Sat
22 ° Sun
  • Advertising
  • Contact
LibyaHerald
 
  • Home
  • Libya
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Magazine
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Register
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Libya
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Magazine
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result
LibyaHerald
No Result
View All Result
Home Libya

UN report details involvement of foreign mercenaries in Libyan conflict

bySami Zaptia
June 11, 2017
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
UN report details involvement of foreign mercenaries in Libyan conflict

(Photo: UN Libya Experts Panel report).

13
SHARES
56
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By Sami Zaptia.

(Photo: UN Libya Experts Panel report).
Chadian Mercenary leader of FACT Mahdi Ali Mahmat visiting the base of his movement in Sebha in October 2016 (Photo: UN Libya Experts Panel report).

London, 11 June 2017:

‘‘Regional divisions constitute an obstacle to a political solution in Libya. Two regional alliances have coalesced around Libya. Chad, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have broadly aligned positions, as do Qatar, the Sudan and Turkey’’, the United Nations reports.

The assessment came in the UN Libyan Experts Panel final report presented to the Security Council dated 1 June released last week.

‘‘Foreign interference in Libya has taken a more direct form with the increasing involvement of Chadian and Sudanese mercenaries’’, the report says. ‘‘Their actions in the oil crescent are a direct threat to the security and economic stability of Libya. The mercenaries are involved in criminal activities, including trafficking in persons and drugs’’.

RELATED POSTS

New Turkey-Misrata shipping line launched

Libyan paints exported to EU

‘‘In addition, repeated attacks against individuals and property by foreign armed groups in the south of Libya have increased communities’ sense of vulnerability and distrust towards LNA and the Misrata Third Force’’.

‘‘Former commanders of the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minawi confirmed to the Panel that Arab intermediaries and former regime operatives had assisted in, and cash transfers had facilitated, the rapprochement between major Darfuri commanders and the LNA General Command’’.

‘‘The Panel also received reports that commanders of the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minawi were received in Marj in mid-October 2016. Chadian groups were also hosted in Misrata-controlled bases in Ahjar al-Sawda’ and in Sabha. They founded the armed group Front pour l’alternance et la concorde au Tchad in April 2016, after they received important financial and military support in exchange for their mobilization in Libya’’.

‘‘According to sources from that group, the movement participated in anti-ISIL operations only. The sources added that all parties, including LNA, offered to recruit them. However, the Panel’s investigations revealed that the group participated in an attack led by the Benghazi Defence Brigades in March 2017, when it lost one of its main commanders’’.

‘‘The Sudan expressed its concern to the Panel that Sudanese armed groups involved in Libya would undermine peace efforts in Darfur. The Chadian authorities, in a meeting with the Panel, minimized the impact of Chadian rebels in Libya. However, on 6 January 2017, Chad announced the closure of its borders with Libya to prevent the infiltration of Chadian rebel fighters, after the LNA air force had struck the positions of the Front pour l’alternance et la concorde au Tchad in Jufrah in December 2016’’.

‘‘On 19 January 2017, the French authorities imposed financial sanctions on Mahamat Nuri and Mahdi Ali Mahamat, the founders of the group, for a six-month period. France has not clarified to the Panel whether this is related to their mercenary activities in Libya’’.

‘‘The deployment of Sudanese armed groups, with the approval of their hierarchy, started in March 2015, notably with the presence of the Sudanese Liberation Army/Minni Minawi (SLA/MM) in Ubari, al-Waw and al-Wig areas. At first, SLA/MM fighters joined Tebu-led brigades in the South of Libya, and in later phases in Benghazi. By March 2016, they had gained autonomy and played a key role in the capture and protection of oil installations by the LNA’’.

‘‘In early 2017, according to internal sources, some SLA/MM field commanders decided to withdraw from Libya due to insufficient levels of remuneration and fears of political repercussions. In fact, they blamed the movement’s leaders for ‘keeping the money for themselves’. A field commander interviewed by the Panel in February 2017 confirmed that mid-ranking commanders and the rank and file had been looking to go back to Sudan. He added that he himself was waiting to gather enough fuel and money to leave Libya’’.

‘‘In addition to SLA/MM forces, SLA/Al-Nur is engaged in Libya, alongside the LNA. According to sources within the movement, they had 1,500 fighters in Libya by mid-2016. They had been approached by Arab intermediaries to facilitate their contacts with the LNA.

‘‘Ex-JEM commanders have also joined the Libyan armed conflicts. Abdallah Jana is such an Ex-JEM commander. He entered Libya with 13 vehicles in 2016, but increased his assets to 70 vehicles by February 2017. He is reported to visit Sudan every two to three months to recruit new fighters.

‘‘Abdallah Banda, an Ex-JEM commander and Justice and Liberation Movement’s deputy chief, is familiar with Libya’s former regime networks. According to Justice and Liberation Movement (JLM) sources, he facilitated contacts between Libyan and Darfuri armed group commanders. He regularly moves between Libya and Darfur’’.

‘‘Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) officials interviewed in 2016 confirmed that the JEM had been approached by several Libyan parties, including Islamist figures and the LNA, but they denied any actual involvement in Libya. However, interviews with JEM and Ex-JEM officials revealed that there was at least one attempt to join Libya from South Sudan, in late 2015’’.

‘‘Yehya Omda, Artillery Chief of Staff of the movement, was able to leave South Sudan and deployed along the Chadian-Libyan border. Ex-JEM sources also reported that Omda is recruiting amongst Sudanese refugees in the region of Um Nabaq in Chad.

‘‘The Chadian Le Front pour l’alternance et la concorde au Tchad (FACT) was founded in April 2016 by Mahamat Nuri and Mahdi Ali Mahamat. The two men broke ties and Mahdi is now heading the movement and coordinating its activities in Libya’’.

‘‘The presence of Chadian groups in the Fezzan dates back to late 2014. They were unable to operate on the Chadian side of the Libyan-Chadian border and were hosted in Sabha by the Third Force on the condition of ceasing their military actions against the Chadian regime, according to Third Force sources’’.

‘‘However, the security developments in Libya and the spread of fighting to Sirte, Sabha, al-Jufra and Braq al-Shate’ led to FACT’s recruitment by Misrata-allied forces. They are deployed at the al-Hjara al Sawda base in al-Jufra and in Sabha’’.

‘‘According to FACT sources, they had 700 fighters deployed in Libya by the end of 2016. However, other sources mentioned a force composed of 1,000 to 1,500 fighters’’.

Another group of mercenaries, ‘‘Conseil de Commandement Militaire Pour le Salut de la Republique (CCMSR) was created in July 2016 by former UFDD spokesperson, Mahamat Hassan Boulemaye. The CCMSR has split from the FACT. On 14 April 2016, a CCMSR base in Doualki, near Sabha, was bombed by LNA forces resulting in six dead. This was confirmed by Boulemaye who blamed President Deby for the attack’’.

The ‘‘Rassemblement des forces democratiques (RFC) had started operating in the southeast of Libya by the end of 2015. It was allegedly involved in attacks against convoys of drug traffickers. Allegedly, it was deployed in the Oil Crescent, alongside the LNA. The Panel could not reach out to sources within the movement. Two of the checkpoints (between Rebiana and Sabha) run by the group were allegedly attacked by ISIL cells early 2016’’

‘‘The Panel confirmed the presence of Palestinian military experts in Tripoli. Interviewed by the Panel, a Palestinian official denied any activity in Libya. However, he confirmed that eight members of his faction, who were members of the Palestinian diaspora in Libya, had been arrested in Tripoli in the course of 2016. The Panel is still investigating the case’’.

Tags: Chadfeaturedforeign mercenariesLNAMisrataSudanUN Libya Experts Panel report 2017
Share5Tweet3Share1

Related Posts

Germany’s GIZ launches Libya IT sector survey to assess employment potential, identify training gaps
Libya

GIZ ”Kick-off workshop” in Tunis to launch solar energy in Libya

May 17, 2022
Benghazi Municipality announces project to update the general plan and expansions of the city’s metropolis
Libya

Benghazi Municipality announces project to update the general plan and expansions of the city’s metropolis

May 17, 2022
Ten former antagonists, now presidential candidates, including Hafter, Bashagha and Maetig gather in Benghazi
Libya

Bashagha enters Tripoli briefly before being forced to exit swiftly in the face of determined militia opposition

May 17, 2022
UNSMIL: Warring parties invited to begin negotiations on 29 September
Libya

HoR and HSC finding consensus on parts of draft constitution at Cairo talks: Williams

May 17, 2022
Tripoli is building Libya’s first skatepark
Libya

Tripoli is building Libya’s first skatepark

May 17, 2022
UNSMIL: Warring parties invited to begin negotiations on 29 September
Libya

UNSMIL seriously concerned by Janzour militia clashes

May 16, 2022
Next Post

Sebha municipality resignations “ a ploy to oust me” says mayor

Tajouri releases Qaddafi people imprisoned for six years

 

Advertise on LibyaHerald

Reach thousands of our site visitors daily

240 x 400px

Advertise Here
ADVERTISEMENT

Top Stories

  • Malta-based Libyan carrier Med Sky to start chartered flights from Misrata to Malta from 5 May

    Malta-based Libyan carrier Med Sky to start chartered flights from Misrata to Malta from 5 May

    473 shares
    Share 189 Tweet 118
  • Two leading Tripoli militias clash in town centre

    412 shares
    Share 171 Tweet 101
  • Bashagha reveals proposed government of 41 – with 30 ministers and 8 ministers of state

    345 shares
    Share 140 Tweet 85
  • Hafter’s representatives in the 5+5 Joint Military Commission announce suspension of their participation in the commission

    329 shares
    Share 138 Tweet 80
  • Bashagha Government of National Stability (GNS) releases new crest

    264 shares
    Share 106 Tweet 66
LibyaHerald

The Libya Herald first appeared on 17 February 2012 – the first anniversary of the Libyan Revolution. Since then, it has become a favourite go-to source on news about Libya, for many in Libya and around the world, regularly attracting millions of hits.

Recent News

Turkish independent business association, MUSIAD, opens Tripoli branch

GIZ ”Kick-off workshop” in Tunis to launch solar energy in Libya

Sitemap

  • Why subscribe?
  • Terms & Conditions
  • FAQs
  • Copyright & Intellectual Property Rights
  • Subscribe now

Newsletters

    Be the first to know latest important news & events directly to your inbox.

    Sending ...

    By signing up, I agree to our TOS and Privacy Policy.

    © 2022 LibyaHerald - Powered by Sparx Solutions.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Login
    • Sign Up
    • Cart
    • Libya
    • Business
    • Advertising
    • About us
    • BusinessEye Magazine
    • Letters
    • Features
    • Why subscribe?
    • FAQs
    • Contact

    © 2022 LibyaHerald - Powered by Sparx Solutions.

    Welcome Back!

    Sign In with Facebook
    Sign In with Linked In
    OR

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password? Sign Up

    Create New Account!

    Sign Up with Facebook
    Sign Up with Linked In
    OR

    Fill the forms bellow to register

    *By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
    All fields are required. Log In

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
    Are you sure want to unlock this post?
    Unlock left : 0
    Are you sure want to cancel subscription?