UK 'concerned' over alleged Russian jets in Libya

LONDON

The UK on Saturday expressed concern over the recent transfer of Russian aircraft from Syria to Libya.

"We are concerned by recent US reports of Russian fighter jets being deployed from Syria into Libya, and growing evidence of Russian involvement in Libya in support of General Haftar's forces. This external interference exacerbates the conflict and undermines the UN-led peace process," the country's Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement.

The statement also called on all Libyan parties in the conflict to "engage urgently" in UN-led cease-fire efforts and a return to political dialogue.

Alleged Russian jets in Libya

Libya's Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha had said last week that at least six Mig-29 and two Su-24 jets previously stationed at Russia's Khmeimim Air Base in Syria landed in areas controlled by eastern Libya-based renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar.

Russia has since denied this, with its Defense Committee official Andrey Krasov saying Bashagha's information did not reflect the truth.

"This is just another American scaremongering. An example of spreading false information, just like the previous American administrations," Krasov added.

US Africa Command (AFRICOM) had shared satellite images of the Russian jets being sent to Libya, claiming that after being painted in Russia's Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, they were sent to the war-torn North African country along with other Russian planes.

Libya's internationally recognized government, also known as the Government of National Accord, has been under attack by Haftar's forces since April 2019, with more than 1,000 killed in the violence.

In March, the Libyan government launched Operation Peace Storm to counter attacks on the capital, and recently regained strategic locations, including the Al-Watiya airbase, in a major blow to Haftar's forces.

Libya has been torn by civil war since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Libya's new government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement failed due to the military offensive by Haftar’s forces.