BBC investigation revealed the involvement of Russian mercenary group in Libya's civil war, which includes links to war crimes


In an interesting investigation done by reporters of BBC, they found involvement of Russian mercenary group in Libya's civil war, which includes links to war crimes and the Russian military. It was majorly exposed by a Samsung tabloid which was mistakenly left behind by a fighter. He belonged to the Wagner group and on reading its content it was clear that they have a key role in the war.

The reporters were also able to identify a "shopping list" which is the state-of-the-art military equipment that could only have come from Russian army supplies, as the experts suggest. Although officials and ministers from Russia deny any links associated with Wagner.

 

On digging more information, it was revealed that in the last few years, Russia started playing a larger role in Lebanon following the defeat of ISIS and growing civil unrest in Syria. Russia is taking a centre stage in helping to solve the refugee crisis of Syria since Lebanon hosts around 1.5 million Syrian refugees. For some Lebanese, Russia is seen as a force that can provide stability. Russia has also offered security and military coordination and investments in Lebanon’s underdeveloped energy sector.

 

Recently, Russia has been showing greater interest in Lebanon’s domestic affairs as well. Especially when it comes to engaging in the political dialogue between President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri. 

 

Wagner group was first identified in 2014 when it was backing pro-Russian separatists in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. After that point, it has been involved in multiple regions including Syria, Mozambique, Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

 

Wagner's fighters appeared in Libya in April 2019 when they joined the forces of a rebel general, Khalifa Haftar after he launched an attack on the UN-backed government in the capital, Tripoli. The conflict ended in a ceasefire in October 2020.

 

Taking the position as one tough regional actor by Russia, now the future of Lebanon will be bound as per the outcome of the competition or cooperation of major regional actors. After Moscow’s military intervention in Syria in 2015, and later in Libya in 2017 through its proxy, its sudden intervention in the oil and gas competition in the eastern Mediterranean will make it a key player in negotiations that will be aimed at drawing the future map of the region. 


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