Libyan Crisis #2

miketheterrible wrote:

JohninMK wrote:

Isos wrote:I'm not saying they hide deaths. I say when they deploy official troops they don't hide that fact.

You seem to be hung up on "official" troops whilst Serg and I are not and I don't know where you got it from.

All my quoted Twitter post said was "Russian military personal" and I stand by my statement that they could well be there, indeed we should expect them to be there, in the background, advisors etc.

Difference is that we are correct and you and Sieg are not.  Sieg is a known liar and we all called him out on it.  You can believe whatever BS you want but so far, we are all aware of it and Russia admits to what they do unlike certain players (UK, US, etc).

If Russian troops were actually in Libya, we would know.  Much like how Russian troops moved around in Crimea quickly and we all knew about it.  But all of a sudden with this, its silence.  No pictures, no insignias, nothing.  In an age were cameras catch nearly everything.

When did I ever claim regular units of the Russian Army are in Libya? because for the life of me, I don't recall ever making that statement anywhere on this forum. I said Russia does put their men's lives at risk if they deem it worthwhile while and everyone does this.

But standard tactic for people on this forum put words in other people's mouths. I don't care if you want to call me something for things I say but genius ATLEAST make sure I actually said it. This isn't hard to do Mike, very simple.

If you are talking about Wagner, then yes they are in Libya and you can doubt their existence all you want and believe they aren't Russian but that's on you because Wagner is in Libya and they are Russian. Wagner is a tool of the Russian government.

LHD5 now out of the Med heading home. Not needed off Libya.

Michael J Sanchez
@key2med
·
Jun 27
USS New York LPD 21 and USS Bataan LHD 5 Westbound STROG passing Europa Point #Gibraltar and heading towards the Atlantic #OPWest

Russia's influence

My highlight. They must have read my suggestion here of a few days ago.


TRIPOLI, (BM) – Libyan tribes want Russia to play a more important role in resolving the crisis in the country, learned BulgarianMilitary.com citing the vice-chairman of the supreme council of the sheikhs and elders of the tribes of Libya, as-Senusi al-Khalik statement.

According to him, the position of the Russian Federation on resolving the conflict is strong and meets the national interests of the residents of Libya. He called the Russians strong allies with great experience. Al-Khalik also noted that most of the weapons in Libya are specifically Russian or Soviet-made.

Earlier, the Supreme Council of Sheikhs and Elders of the Libyan Tribes wanted to open a bank account in Russia to distribute profits from the sale of oil to all residents of the country. The money will go to the development of the healthcare system, education and infrastructure in the state.

https://geopolitics.news/africa/russia-was-asked-to-play-a-more-active-role-in-the-conflict-in-libya/

From a pro Saleh poster
MiddleEastWatch
@MiddleEastWatc1
·
4h
Aqila Saleh arrives in Moscow in a surprising visit to discuss the Libyan conflict.

.@StateDept
: “On July 1, the US Government and representatives of the LNA met virtually for discussions on militia demobilization...In keeping with US policy of active neutrality on Libya, this meeting follows US engagement regarding militias with GNA representatives last week...

Don't hear much out of Libya atm but its still active.

Good example of a giro stabilised video at link. Don't see many of those.

Oded Berkowitz
@Oded121351
#Libya- video purportedly of Turkish forces with #GNA (probably, the Humvee) moving MIM-23 Hawk system (including radar) to al-Watiyah Airbase

Abdalmjed Alshahboni
@alshahboni
·
15h
Replying to
@Oded121351
This is means there are plans to to set up big number of Turkish personal there shortly


https://twitter.com/Oded121351/status/1278787863346372624



BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:30 A.M.) – A mysterious attack was carried out over the Al-Watiyah Airbase in western Libya last night, causing a number of explosions southwest of the capital city, Tripoli.

Citing an unnamed source, the Sputnik News Agency quoted the local as saying: “The residents of the city of Al-Rajban and its environs have heard the sound of explosions and flights flying near the Al-Watiyah military base.”

The source pointed out that “unknown aircraft bombed sites near the Al-Watiyah military base in the western part of the country with a continued flight over the western mountains.”

No entity has claimed responsibility for this attack.

The Al-Watiyah Airbase is currently under the control of the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) forces.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/mysterious-airstrike-hits-libyan-airbase-controlled-by-turkish-backed-forces/

Destroying the hawk with a kh-31 would be a nice add for russians. It's a juicy target.

Turks don't hesitate to destroy enemy AD, Putin should allow the lybian mig to destroy turkish AD even their Hisar systems if they are send there.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias announced the expulsion of Libyan Ambassador to Athens Mohamed Younis A.B. Menfi from Greece, giving Menfi 72 hours to leave the country during a press conference from the Foreign Ministry in Athens, Friday. Footage shows the Libyan Ambassador to Athens arriving to the Foreign Ministry before being informed of the decision to expel him from the country.

"It is with great sadness that I announce to you that this morning the Libyan Ambassador in Athens was called to the Ministry [of Foreign Affairs], where he was briefed about the decision to expel him. He was given 72 hours to leave the country," announced Dendias.

"The decision to expel him is an expression of the dissatisfaction of the Greek government with the government in Tripoli. It was taken after the Libyan side did not respond to the conditions we had set," the Greek Foreign Minister added.

The decision to expel the Libyan Ambassador was taken after Libya signed an accord with Turkey on November 27, mapping out a maritime boundary between both countries in the Mediterranean, close to the Greek island of Crete. Athens views the accord as an "infringement on its sovereignty" that could complicate its decades-old disputes with Turkey over Cyprus and maritime rights in the Aegean Sea.

According to Greek media sources, Athens has sent military reinforcements to its naval base in Crete.

George1 wrote:Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias announced the expulsion of Libyan Ambassador to Athens Mohamed Younis A.B. Menfi from Greece, giving Menfi 72 hours to leave the country during a press conference from the Foreign Ministry in Athens, Friday. Footage shows the Libyan Ambassador to Athens arriving to the Foreign Ministry before being informed of the decision to expel him from the country.

"It is with great sadness that I announce to you that this morning the Libyan Ambassador in Athens was called to the Ministry [of Foreign Affairs], where he was briefed about the decision to expel him. He was given 72 hours to leave the country," announced Dendias.

"The decision to expel him is an expression of the dissatisfaction of the Greek government with the government in Tripoli. It was taken after the Libyan side did not respond to the conditions we had set," the Greek Foreign Minister added.

The decision to expel the Libyan Ambassador was taken after Libya signed an accord with Turkey on November 27, mapping out a maritime boundary between both countries in the Mediterranean, close to the Greek island of Crete. Athens views the accord as an "infringement on its sovereignty" that could complicate its decades-old disputes with Turkey over Cyprus and maritime rights in the Aegean Sea.

According to Greek media sources, Athens has sent military reinforcements to its naval base in Crete.

Not surprising. Greek foreign minister Dendias was two days ago in Bengazi visiting Libyan president of HoR Saleh, where they reach agreement to form comision to decide the maritime border between Libyan and Greek EEZ. Greece will also open consulate in Bengazi. It is logical, that Libyan ambassador from Tripoli have to leave Greece to give a space for Libyan ambassador from Bengazi. I think it is just a matter of time, when Greek and Turkish soldiers will confront each other in Libya. Turkish defense minister Akar was today in Tripoli to provide all needed support to GNA. There are some rumors, that Turkish T-129 attack helicopters are now in Libya.

Just in case anyone had any doubts about Turkey's role and commitment to the next phase of the civil war in Libya. This is going to be Idlib with the gloves off. Once the preparations at al-Watiyah Air Base are completed no doubt they will move some F-16s there.

This is about to get very nasty but an opportunity for the SAA in Idlib..

Oded Berkowitz
@Oded121351
·
9h
#Libya- some more photos from #Turkey's Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar & Chief of the General Staff General Yasar Guler visit to #Tripoli (and a link to the whole set)
https://msb.gov.tr/SlaytHaber/472020-26812


For those keeping track, I counted about 115 Turkish officers in the auditorium photo






Unlike Hmeimen this is a proper military airfield.


MiddleEastWatch
@MiddleEastWatc1
Al-Watia base update:

1. Satellite images show Turkey’s Koral jamming system in the base.

2. New infrastructure has been built in the base.

3. Analysis on the video of the transported vehicles shows that Turkey’s Hisar-A and Kalkan radar been transported there. (NO independent confirmation)

Samir
@obretix
·
6h
Turkey deploying two MIM-23 Hawk air defense systems at al-Watiyah Air Base https://google.com/maps?ll=32.473546,11.896988&q=32.473546,11.896988&hl=en&t=h&z=15
(3 Jul 2020)

Counter claim as to which airbase!

Spriter
@ynms79797979

1h
Satellite images of Libya's Al-Vatiya air base, 130 kilometers southwest of Tripoli, showed that two Turkish MIM-23 Hawk anti-aircraft missile systems were deployed.

Heavy bombing on Alwatyah airbase . Turkey has deployed Hawk and  Koral there already before .

M.LNA
@LNA2019M

8h
# 5 large explosions heard in Alwitya airbase after , sound of aircraft passing through the area.

# 4 ambulance vans seen passing through Aljmail heading to Alwitya airbase.

# In total 8 direct hits on occupaid AlWitya Airbase via #LNA Airforce.
Targeting air defense , Jaming apparatus and weapons cashes.
The 9th explosions was due to a MIM-23 Hawk missile hiting a nearby fuel Tanker after the platform was targeted.


4h
Minimum 4 Turkish officers killed in occupied Alwitya airbase Following a series of air strikes launched by the Libyan Air Force fighters tonight.
Bodies in AlJimal Hospital

Looks like a pre emptive strike by the LNA & "friends"

Some are even suggesting it was the French with aircraft based in Mali...although it seems a bit far fetched

Cyberspec wrote:Looks like a pre emptive strike by the LNA & "friends"

Some are even suggesting it was the French with aircraft based in Mali...although it seems a bit far fetched

Not confirmed yet it's french or Egyptian but for sure such capability the LNA can't do .

Could be UAE as well...they used Mirage 2000's recently from a base in Egypt

ahmedfire wrote:

Cyberspec wrote:Looks like a pre emptive strike by the LNA & "friends"

Some are even suggesting it was the French with aircraft based in Mali...although it seems a bit far fetched

Not confirmed yet it's french or Egyptian but for sure such capability the LNA can't do .

LNA Su-24M could do it, if LNA have Kh-31P anti radar and Kh-59M TV guided stand off missiles. But I think they only got 2 Su-24M and I doubt they have those missiles. Two Su-24M could not carry 8 of those missiles (2 per plane), so it must to be someone else. I wonder if Greece could be involved? Greece could donate some retired Mirage F-1 to LNA.

Could be UAE as well...they used Mirage 2000's recently from a base in Egypt

Could be but UAE didn't strike from EAF bases before .

medo wrote:

ahmedfire wrote:

Cyberspec wrote:Looks like a pre emptive strike by the LNA & "friends"

Some are even suggesting it was the French with aircraft based in Mali...although it seems a bit far fetched

Not confirmed yet it's french or Egyptian but for sure such capability the LNA can't do .

LNA Su-24M could do it, if LNA have Kh-31P anti radar and Kh-59M TV guided stand off missiles. But I think they only got 2 Su-24M and I doubt they have those missiles. Two Su-24M could not carry 8 of those missiles (2 per plane), so it must to be someone else. I wonder if Greece could be involved? Greece could donate some retired Mirage F-1 to LNA.

It's not about missiles only ,such night operations need a good planning and good pilots who are trained on night missions .

Turkey has many enemies already , we can expect anyone.

ahmedfire wrote:

Could be UAE as well...they used Mirage 2000's recently from a base in Egypt

Could be but UAE didn't strike from EAF bases before .

Satellite images released by
@obretix
shows the six Mirage 2000-9EAD/RADs of UAE Air Force on deployment at the air base located in south of Sidi Barrani, west of #Egypt.
https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/1258177902815805440

@Cyberspec

It belongs to EAF not UAE , already Egypt has deployed Mirage there

This is the same base

I don't think, it was Libyans, who fly in recently delivered MiG-29 and Su-24M jets. Su-24M could do a strike against Hawk SAMs and jamming station with Kh-31P or Kh-58 anti-radar missiles. Standard Su-24M have problem for precise night strike, as Kh-59M, Kh-29T and KAB-500Kr are day time TV guided only and kajra TV and laser designating complex is also day time only. It should be at least modernised with SVP-24 for night strikes and using KAB-500S satellite guided bombs or other more modern weapons like RuAF ones in Syria.

If it will be proved, that this strike was done by LNA Su-24Ms, than it only prove, that Su-24M is still very effective bomber. Turkey use there their own NATO standard complexes of the laterst modifications and air defense was supported by jamming station. There are rumors, that the newest Turkish SAM Hisar was also there. If true, that this strike is even more spectacular. LNA doesn't have hundreds of planes, just a few. I think, even if it was actually done by LNA, Turkey will try to clean their face from such embarasment by claiming it was done by someone more capable with more modern jets and armament. Greece and France could be quite proper candidates to be guilty for such strike and to accuse those "NATO allies" for back stabbing. In that case, they could say "we didn't fire on them, as they were our NATO allies".

Cyberspec wrote:

ahmedfire wrote:

Could be UAE as well...they used Mirage 2000's recently from a base in Egypt

Could be but UAE didn't strike from EAF bases before .

Satellite images released by
@obretix
shows the six Mirage 2000-9EAD/RADs of UAE Air Force on deployment at the air base located in south of Sidi Barrani, west of #Egypt.
https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/1258177902815805440

You could have mentioned that that link was back in early May when that deployment took place. Would have put it a bit more in context i.e. that the EAF had been there in the past (and had probably attacked a GNA base then) so could be there again last night.

Still nothing official about that bombing. Only some twiter accounts talk about it.

Anyone has a more reliable source ?

Isos wrote:Still nothing official about that bombing. Only some twiter accounts talk about it.

Anyone has a more reliable source ?

The official ANADOLU AGENCY (AR) has confirmed it including the destroying of AD system .


https://twitter.com/aa_arabic/status/1279759527722864641