U.S. Military Says Russia’s Libya Involvement Has Been Unmasked

Africom says jets arrived from Russian base via Syria
Move increases Russian leverage in the proxy conflict

Forces loyal to Libya's Government of National Accord parade a Russian-made Pantsir air defense system truck in Tripoli on May 20. — Forces loyal to Libya's Government of National Accord parade a Russian-made Pantsir air defense system truck in Tripoli on May 20.
Photographer: Mahmud Turkia/AFP via Getty Images

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By Samer Al-Atrush

May 26, 2020 at 11:40 AM UTC

Updated on

May 26, 2020 at 2:03 PM UTC

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The U.S. military said Russia has deployed fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries backing eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar, a move that threatens to escalate a proxy war with NATO member Turkey and its allies in Tripoli.