Egypt: Russian troops in Egypt, near Libya border to help Haftar retake control of oil sitesThe North Africa Journal – 14 March 2017 – An unidentified number of Russian troops is reported to have been deployed in an Egyptian airbase near the Libyan border. Various media outlets say the Russian presence was to bring support to the Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, who has been long been supported by Egypt. Haftar has suffered a loss early March, losing control over oil site in Ras Lanuf, Sidra and Ben Jawad (so-called Oil Crescent) to a militia group called the Benghazi Defense Brigade. Only to regain control on March 14. Despite the Russian denial, Haftar’s regain of control was likely to have happened with the support of the Russian troops.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 14, 2017 22:07 UTC