Libya Government Denies Responsibility for Drone Attack on Airbase

 The Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli, which is recognised by the United Nations, has previously accused Wagner of deploying mercenaries and drones to its eastern rivals. The GNA has also accused the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia of backing Haftar’s forces, while Turkey has supported the Tripoli government. Libya’s interim government has denied responsibility for a drone attack on an airbase in the east used by mercenaries of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner.

The early Friday raid on the Al-Kharruba airbase, 150km (90 miles) southwest of Benghazi, caused no casualties, and Army Chief of Staff General Mohamad al-Haddad stated that none of their aircraft had been involved. Reports carried by Libyan and Arab news websites said the air raids had been launched from aircraft belonging to the UN-recognised government in divided Libya.

The defence ministry responded to these reports by saying that they respected the ceasefire signed in October 2020. The Wagner group had been involved in the battle for Tripoli, fighting alongside fighters from Chad, Sudan, Niger and Syria. Mercenaries from the group remain active in areas such as the oil-rich east and south of the country, with some also being deployed to Mali and Ukraine. 

Libya has been engulfed in conflict since the 2011 uprising that toppled strongman Muammar Gaddafi, with the country being divided between the interim government based in Tripoli in the west, and an eastern faction backed by General Khalifa Haftar. The Government of National Accord has accused Wagner of deploying mercenaries and drones to their eastern rivals, as well as the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia of backing Haftar’s forces. These allegations have been denied, with Turkey supporting the Tripoli government. In spite of the ceasefire signed in October 2020, the ongoing conflict in Libya continues to affect the country and its people. Both sides have accused each other of violations, and the situation remains uncertain. It is hoped that the warring parties can soon agree to a lasting peace.