On Sunday African Command (AFRICOM) announced that US troops are being
withdrawn from Libya to some undisclosed destination, citing the unpredictable security situation in the country as a reason for a temporary pullout.
Fighting near the capital city of Tripoli has been growing for awhile,
but seems to have really taken off in southern Tripoli over the weekend,
which led the US to decide that it would be easier for them to be
someplace else right now.
Where the US troops are going is unclear, with AFRICOM saying that
security reasons mean they can’t disclose where, and the spokesman
saying that it is particularly important that ISIS doesn’t have a map of
where US ground troops actually are.
US forces are most likely to be redeployed to Europe temporarily, of
course, as there really aren’t a lot of stable AFRICOM operating nations
where the troops wouldn’t risk being sucked into some other conflict.
Oh please! They are just moving them out to be repositioned either in Syria, Venezuela or Iraq due to low recruitment.
Maybe these US “boots on the ground” will become CIA contractors and remain right where they are. Erik Prince is always looking for well-trained mercenaries to staff al-CIAda. Or, maybe they’ll help the phony White Helmets stage another false-flag gas attack in Syria and win themselves an Oscar. Or, maybe it’s off to Afghanistan to guard the poppy fields, who knows?
Sheesh…no idea how many, what they been doing there, to what purpose. Debacle.
There! Was that so hard? Now get the f**k out of everywhere else.
Problem for the troups, or mercenaries or proxies — who exactly is our partner in Libya. After all these years and money squandered, what exactly have we accomplished? And wjo are our “demiocratically” certified partners in Libya. We put all the energy and capital in destroying the first Tripoli government (the one supported by Turkey and Qatar) — and forckng them to accept the new UN impted government of presumed unity, General Hefar was banished to Egypt’s border, Tobruk. But with Egypt’s and Russian help, he is now controling mist of the country, and even Fez region recognizes him.
US bueved that Heftar should be allowed to move against unrully militants — lose energy, and then have France on its side to “convince” him to negotiate with UN installed government. The plan was simple — Hefter will have no choice but to cut the deal with Tripoli to maintain some power, while US would then be legitimised as supporters of UN government legitimacy. So, it was not really demonising Hefter, he was usefull. But legitimacty belinged to UN ship imported government in Tripoli. But — France could not provide much, nor it wanted to. Thus, Egyptian help was viewed as neessary evil, to be dealt with later once bargaining started. UAE is behing Egypt — had to, as part of Egypt’s participation in Yemen coalition.
But this was not planned. Not that Hefter would try go take Tripoli, and not recovnize UN gkvernmenr. US tried to pass a desolutikn in Security Council condemning Hefter and ordering him to stop advance. Russia vetoed, as only one party jn conflict is asked to do cease military activities. Russia is still communicationg with Tripoli government, and wants political settlement. But clearly, Tripoli will no mire had the luxury of US protection as US may try to get a deal with Hefter. As it turns out — UN legitimacy is of little value — as even former ruling groups of Tripoli are hoping for Hefter’s success. Ironically the best defence UN government has is from militants — including ISIS in Misrata. With Hefter not waiting any mire for a generous offer from UN — US position is untenable. Cannot keep troups in Tripoli, and cannot afford to be in bed with Misrata.
And with veto in UN SC — no resoluton will pass ordering him to cease and desist.
Is there US plan D for Libya. Hope it will be better then A through C.