Group urges ICC to probe alleged use of mines in Libya war
Associated PressCAIRO — Human Rights Watch on Tuesday called for the International Criminal Court to investigate allegations of the use of landmines in 2019 by Russian paramilitaries fighting in Libya. According to the New York-based watchdog, new data has emerged from Libyan demining groups linking mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner Group to the use of “banned booby traps” in Libya during an offensive by east-based Libyan forces trying to capture the capital of Tripoli from rival militias. The Wagner Group backed the offensive of the east-based forces led by commander Khalifa Hifter, who was also supported at the time by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia. Lama Fakih, HRW’s director for Mideast and North Africa, said a “transparent and international” inquiry is needed to look into the use of land mines around Tripoli. The group said that a demining group with the Tripoli-based Defense Ministry reported that mines and other explosive ordnance killed at least 130 people and wounded 196, mostly civilians, between May 2020 and March 2022 in Tripoli’s southern suburbs.
History of this topic
Drone attacks hit Wagner base in Libya; no casualties reported
Al Jazeera
Libya's security threatened by foreign fighters: United Nations experts
The Hindu
UN experts: Libya’s security threatened by foreign fighters
Associated Press
US military: Russian mercenaries planted land mines in Libya
Associated Press
UN chief shocked at Libya mass graves in recently freed town
Associated Press
UN: 220 killed in battles for Libya’s capital last 2 weeks
Associated PressDiscover Related