Putin sends forced to Libya (allegedly)

[MeMyselfAndI]

Russia appears to have deployed special forces to an airbase in western Egypt near the border with Libya in recent days, according to US, Egyptian and diplomatic sources, in a move that adds to US concerns about Moscow’s deepening role in Libya.


The US and diplomatic officials said any such Russian involvement might be part of a bid to support the Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, who suffered a setback with an attack on 3 March by the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) on oil ports controlled by his forces.


The US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the United States had observed what appeared to be Russian special operations forces and drones at Sidi Barrani, about 60 miles (100km) from the Egypt-Libya border.


Egyptian security sources offered more detail, describing a 22-member Russian special forces unit, but declined to discuss its mission. They added that Russia also used another Egyptian base farther east in Marsa Matrouh in early February.


The apparent Russian deployments have not been previously reported.
The Russian defence ministry did not immediately provide comment on Monday and Egypt denied the presence of any Russian contingent on its soil.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-border-report

What the hell is Putin doing? What is this about? Why are we getting involved in Libya now??? Is this about their oil? Or helping install that general as a dictator there to regain Soviet-era influence over that country?