Libya

[Condottiere]

^Interesting, I get a faint whiff of Eau de Putin NCND. Assad really has enough on his hands

Likewise.
Moscow is definitely pulling the strings here.

 

[SkippedOnce]

A name from the past, which illustrates the continuing internationalization of the conflict in Libya and potential for destabilization further afield.

'A column of about 70 armed vehicles belonging to Sudan's Janjaweed fighters moved towards the key strategic Mediterranean city of Sirte in support of General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA), state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday.

'Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) earlier said it intends to recapture Sirte, a gateway to Libya’s main oil terminals, and the airbase of al-Jufra, located in the oil region, from forces allied to the eastern Libya-based LNA, which is backed by Russia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

'Since April 2019, the GNA has been fighting to stave-off an offensive by the LNA to seize capital Tripoli. In recent weeks, LNA forces have suffered heavy losses as Turkey’s military support provided an upper hand to the GNA.

'Control of Sirte of some 85,000 people will be decisive for the oil industry, as it is the gateway to the central and eastern oil crescent where much of Libya’s 1 million-plus barrels a day of output were once shipped to world markets. It currently produces just 90,000 barrels a day, according to a report by Bloomberg in June.

'The Janjaweed, who became notorious for atrocities inflicted on the civilian population in Sudan's troubled Darfur region, were dispatched to Libya by UAE, according to Anadolu, who also funded Russian mercenaries and Syrian fighters to join Haftar.'

Sudan's Janjaweed militia advances towards Libya's Sirte as battle looms - report | Ahval

ahvalnews.com

 

[Condottiere]

A name from the past, which illustrates the continuing internationalization of the conflict in Libya and potential for destabilization further afield.

'A column of about 70 armed vehicles belonging to Sudan's Janjaweed fighters moved towards the key strategic Mediterranean city of Sirte in support of General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA), state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday.

'Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) earlier said it intends to recapture Sirte, a gateway to Libya’s main oil terminals, and the airbase of al-Jufra, located in the oil region, from forces allied to the eastern Libya-based LNA, which is backed by Russia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

'Since April 2019, the GNA has been fighting to stave-off an offensive by the LNA to seize capital Tripoli. In recent weeks, LNA forces have suffered heavy losses as Turkey’s military support provided an upper hand to the GNA.

'Control of Sirte of some 85,000 people will be decisive for the oil industry, as it is the gateway to the central and eastern oil crescent where much of Libya’s 1 million-plus barrels a day of output were once shipped to world markets. It currently produces just 90,000 barrels a day, according to a report by Bloomberg in June.

'The Janjaweed, who became notorious for atrocities inflicted on the civilian population in Sudan's troubled Darfur region, were dispatched to Libya by UAE, according to Anadolu, who also funded Russian mercenaries and Syrian fighters to join Haftar.'

Sudan's Janjaweed militia advances towards Libya's Sirte as battle looms - report | Ahval

ahvalnews.com

Interesting . I wonder how accurate this reporting is?

 

[Glad_its_all_over]

Interesting . I wonder how accurate this reporting is?

Probably not very. There are many, many media players in the former Arab Peoples' Jamahiriyah who have very distinct agendas. No-one actually knows anything much for sure, beyond what's happening in their sightline, most 'news' is circular reporting from social media.

They may be janjawid, they may be Amazig from the deep bled, they may be any number of things; 70-odd technicals would be a reasonable turnout for a moderately-sized katiba and the LNA, contrary to its high-faluting name, is really just another constellation of squabbling militias.

 

[SkippedOnce]

Interesting . I wonder how accurate this reporting is?

Difficult to tell, but I don't recall seeing mention of 'Janjaweed' in other English-language media reports. It could be a Turkish-backed linkage to scare readers, given the Janjaweed's penchant for atrocities in Sudan. However, Ahval is apparently not pro-Erdogan. Alternatively, it could be an completely different group just trading on the infamous name.

Founded in 2017, Ahval is an online news website that primarily reports on Turkey and provides content in Turkish, English and Arabic. Based in Cyprus, its Editor-in-Chief is Yavuz Baydar, Managing Editor for Ahval Arabic is Ghassan Ibrahim, Executive Editor for Ahval English is Ilhan Tanir and Salwa Rezgi is the publisher.

Funded by / Ownership

The website is owned by Ahval News Ltd. Ahval News does not disclose how they are funded, nor is there any evidence that the website generates revenue through advertising. According to Quatara.de they may be subsidized by the United Arab Emirates. Further, Al-Monitor reports that the UAE used Ahval as a counter-propaganda tool against Turkey’s president. They state, “This website is financed by the Arab Weekly, in other words, by the UAE. This media group, which is owned by the UAE, declared total war against Turkey.”

Analysis / Bias

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the president of Turkey. He is the leader of The Justice and Development Party (AKP) which is the ruling conservative political party in Turkey.

According to freedomhouse.org, Ahval news have been blocked in Turkey by The Turkish Telecommunications Authority (BTK) (Turkey’s Internet watchdog). Ahval news has also been criticized as being close to or linked to U.S. based Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen, by the pro-government Turkish daily Sabah.

In review, Ahval News publishes articles critical of the Erdogan government with emotionally loaded language such as “Erdoğan’s dictatorship driving Turkey toward dead end” and “A dangerous vortex in Turkey.” When it comes to sourcing, Ahval News often hyperlinks to itself, as well as to credible sources such as Washington Post, Portland Press Herald, Vox, Bloomberg, Axios as well as factually mixed sources such as Newsweek. When covering world news, pertaining to the USA, they cover the Trump administration with a critical tone such as in this article “Trump’s Turkey ties show broader pattern of abuses of power – senator”. In general, their reports are rooted in fact, however they have a very strong anti-Erdogan bias that has been described as counter-propaganda.

Overall, we rate Ahval News Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions that are opposed to Turkey’s right leaning government. We also rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to a lack transparency regarding funding and accusations of promoting propaganda. (M. Huitsing 12/12/2019)

Ahval News - Media Bias Fact Check

LEFT-CENTER BIAS These media sources have a slight to moderate liberal bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence...

mediabiasfactcheck.com