A thousand British soldiers, including 200 SAS operators, will be in Libya in a few weeks to stem the advance of the Islamic State in the region. The fighting troops will be part of the next major offensive planned in Libya against the terror network. The operation - they write today on the Mirror - it will involve about 6.000 soldiers, including American navies and European troops.
They add from the English newspaper: "The force will be led by the Italians, the contingent will be mainly made up of British, French and American soldiers".
From England, therefore, they confirmed the command role of the Italians, suggesting however that the presence on the ground should be limited to the simple coordination of the troops in the field. The involvement of Italian soldiers on the front line should be excluded. It should be noted that the six thousand soldiers who will soon arrive in Libya will not carry out reconnaissance tasks (that role has already been entrusted to the Special Reconnaissance Regiment), but they will be fighting troops alongside the loyalist militias. At first they should carry out training tasks, but the employment on the front line certainly appears considering the number deployed.
The latest analyzes in the Region speak of an extremist force of five thousand elements in constant expansion. The terrorists have already captured some important oil fields. Once the invasion has been stemmed and the tactical asset stabilized, the goal will be to conquer the coastal stronghold of Sirte. Before that, however, the new (Italian-led) Coalition will have to prevent the largest oil field in North Africa, the Marsa al Brega wells, located between Sirte and Benghazi, from falling into the hands of terrorists.
Returning to the British. The SAS will also have "battle-space management" duties for the Libyan army. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy has also sent a destroyer to the North African coast and the RAF has been given the order to set up a new air campaign against Islamic State targets in Libya (the force that will participate in the raids is still unknown) .
The United States has already confirmed the sending of the Marines, supported by some Navy Seal teams in the reconnaissance role.
Finally, the French. Paris represents the worst enemy for terrorists. The French experience in Africa is unparalleled over the past decade. Suffice it to say that L'Eliseo has ten bases in Africa (in addition to those of the Legion) located in Chad, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Gabon. The one deployed in Africa by the French is not a force of peacekeeping, but a real army completely self-sufficient and specifically trained in guerrilla warfare with operators of the “Commandement des opérations spéciales” and two companies of the Foreign Legion for a total of seven thousand soldiers.
Despite the interventions of the West and the incredible wealth of the country, Libya, after the end of Gaddafi's government, fell into chaos.
(photo: US DoD)
