Libya’s proxy war

Libya divided

Libya has been torn by conflict ever since 2011, when a rebel coalition with NATO air support began a civil war against the Gaddafi regime. Since 2014, the country has been split between forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli and the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Benghazi-based Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. This has grown into a proxy conflict between Haftar's allies — Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia — and Turkey and Qatar, who support the GNA. It has also become a battleground for international mercenaries.

Not since Biafra struggled for independence from Nigeria (1967-70) has Africa attracted so many fighters for hire. Both sides use local militias, and draw on organised and remunerated ancillary forces. Since the 1960s, mercenaries are not just thugs recruited through a small ad or in London or Brussels bars; the mercenary business has evolved, with specialist companies operating in many of the world's hot spots.

Secopex, a French company that describes itself as a provider of 'strategic and operational support', was one of the first private military contractors to get officially involved in Libya. In May 2011 its head, ex-paratrooper Pierre Marziali, was killed in Benghazi by the security forces of the National Transitional Council (NTC), then leading the rebellion against Gaddafi. Four Secopex employees were also arrested. At the time it was said that Secopex was providing protection to journalists and NGO personnel in the region; there are still suspicions over its direct involvement in the conflict.

'They'll work for anyone'

The NTC claimed the five Frenchmen were involved in 'illicit activities that endangered the security of free Libya'. Had Secopex been working for the NTC, then fallen out with it? Soon after Marziali's death, anonymous sources briefed against the company, citing French law, which permits the provision of military consultancy and (…)

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Source: mondediplo.com