Russia’s Ghost Fleet Bolsters Military Support for Libya’s Haftar

Leaked documents reveal that Russia employs its ghost fleet to supply military equipment to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar. The European naval mission Operation Irini has documented how these ships manipulate their identification systems to evade detection while potentially breaching international arms embargoes. The ongoing Russian support for Haftar raises alarm about increasing influence in Libya and potential destabilization for Europe.

Recent revelations indicate that Russia is utilizing its “ghost fleet”—a collection of aging commercial ships with hidden ownership—to ship military supplies to Khalifa Haftar, a prominent Libyan warlord. A notable example is the Cameroonian-flagged cargo ship Barbaros, which was observed carrying military-adjacent trucks manufactured by a sanctioned Russian firm while en route to eastern Libya, disregarding an international arms embargo.

The ships within the ghost fleet have reportedly employed various deceptive strategies to elude detection while delivering Russian goods to Libya. Documentation from the European Union’s Operation Irini highlights significant European alarm regarding the expanding influence of Russia within Libya, reflecting a larger strategy by Moscow to assert its dominance in the Mediterranean region and parts of Africa.

After the monitoring of the Barbaros, it became evident that it had altered its Automatic Identification System (AIS) to conceal its location, as well as modified its name multiple times since 2013. Though the vessel was eventually found transporting Russian-made trucks that did not breach the arms embargo, the incident underscored a worrying trend in the escalating militarization of the region.

Russia has allegedly bolstered Haftar’s military capabilities for nearly a decade through financial and military support, despite ongoing allegations of crimes against humanity against Haftar’s forces. While Haftar has faced legal challenges in the United States, these cases have not severely hindered his standing internationally, as illustrated by continued dialogue between U.S. officials and Haftar this past August.

The increasing Russian military presence in Libya has prompted European officials to bolster relations with Haftar’s administration, fearing that a lack of action would further entrench Russian influence. An EU official remarked on the necessity of engagement in eastern Libya to counter Russia’s involvement. Russia’s strategic foothold in Libya is recognized as both a maritime and a migratory challenge for Europe, enabling control over key routes to the continent.

The Russian intervention in Libya has reportedly intensified in 2024, characterized by an uptick in military shipments and flights from Russia. The recently discussed transition from the Wagner Group to direct military command illustrates a formal escalation in Russia’s military footprint in the region. Additionally, reports suggest that Moscow is utilizing Libya as a gateway for expanded influence in the Sahel region of Africa, with significant recent military engagements reported elsewhere on the continent.

Although Russia is not the sole violator of the arms embargo imposed on Libya, with Turkey also implicated in similar actions, the resultant geopolitical implications from its military enhanced involvement raise significant concerns. Leaked intelligence confirmed that military units have been surreptitiously relocated from Syria to Libya to support Haftar, further solidifying a dangerous security climate on Europe’s edge.

The revelations concerning Russia’s use of its ghost fleet to supply military equipment to Khalifa Haftar in Libya expose a significant geopolitical issue. This operation not only underscores Russia’s strategy to extend its influence in the Mediterranean but also highlights the challenges Europe faces regarding security and migration routes. The rising militarization of Libya, paired with the growing ties between Moscow and Haftar, necessitates careful scrutiny from Western powers to prevent further destabilization in the region.

Original Source: www.icij.org