News
US military accuses Russia of deploying fighter jets to Libya
The US military accused Russia of deploying fighter aircraft to Libya “repainted to camouflage” their origin in support of mercenaries fighting for eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar’s forces.
The allegation came as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov yesterday told a Haftar ally that Moscow backed an immediate ceasefire and political talks that would culminate in united governing authorities.
The United States’ fighter jet accusation against Russia raises concerns of a new escalation in the nine-year-long conflict, despite Lavrov’s call for a truce.
“Russian military aircraft are likely to provide close air support and offensive fire,” the US Africa Command said in a statement.
The fighting in Libya has drawn in regional and global powers with what the United Nations described as a huge influx of weapons and fighters in repeated violation of a 2011 arms embargo.
Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt support Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), which launched an offensive a year ago to seize the capital, Tripoli.
However, in recent weeks the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) has, with extensive Turkish military backing, pushed Haftar back from his foothold in southern Tripoli and other parts of the northwest.
The US statement said the aircraft arrived in Libya “recently” from an airbase in Russia after briefly stopping in Syria, where they were repainted to conceal their Russian origin.
Russia has long denied any involvement in Libya’s conflict. There was no immediate response from the Russian defence ministry.
Hundreds of Russian military contractors in Libya were reportedly evacuated into central Libya during the past few days after retreating from fighting on the capital’s front lines.
US Army General Stephen Townsend described the Russian planes as “fourth-generation jet fighters”.
“Russia is clearly trying to tip the scales in its favour in Libya,” he said. “Just like I saw them doing in Syria, they are expanding their military footprint in Africa using government-supported mercenary groups like Wagner,” he added, referencing the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group, which the UN said last month had 1,200 fighters in Libya.
AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
News
188 vehicles impounded in Kumasi as Police crack down on fake sirens and illegal car modifications
The Ghana Police Service has launched a major clampdown in the Ashanti Region targeting drivers using unauthorized sirens, strobe lights, and illegally modified vehicles.
The special operation, led by the Ashanti Regional MTTD with support from the Central MTTD in Accra and officers from National Headquarters, focused on two busy hotspots: Airport Roundabout and Santasi Roundabout in Kumasi.
During the exercise, 188 vehicles were stopped for various traffic violations. Officers removed and seized illegal sirens, horns, strobe lights, and improvised headlamps fitted on both private and commercial vehicles.
Beyond the seizures, drivers were taken through road safety education and cautioned to adhere strictly to the Road Traffic Regulations. Police also warned against the unlawful use of road shoulders and verges, which often causes congestion and accidents.
According to the Police, the operation forms part of a wider national campaign to restore discipline, improve road safety, and stop the misuse of emergency signals by unauthorized persons.
“The Ghana Police Service will continue these enforcement exercises across the country. Our goal is to ensure order on our roads and protect all road users,” statement said.
Residents in Kumasi welcomed the move, with many commending police for cracking down on vehicles that impersonate emergency and security cars.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate resignation or dismissal of the Attorney General, accusing him of incompetence over the release of GH¢350 million from the Contingency Fund for flood relief.
Addressing the media today in Parliament, the Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei alleged that the release of the money breached legal procedures because there were ongoing garnishee proceedings involving the Contingency Fund.
According to her, the Attorney General directed the Governor of the Bank of Ghana to allow the funds to be released despite the pending court process.
“The Attorney General’s letter speaks for itself. It directed the Governor of the Bank of Ghana to give effect to the release of funds from the Contingency Fund notwithstanding the pending garnishee proceedings. Yet the Ministry of Finance subsequently announced that the GH¢350 million had been released,” she stated.
Mrs. Appiagyei argued that the Attorney General’s actions showed incompetence and undermined due legal process.
She said the Minority believes the Attorney General should either resign or be dismissed over the matter.
The Minority maintains that public funds must be managed in accordance with the law and has called for accountability over the release of the money.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News1 week agoPolice arrest four suspected drug peddlers, recover firearm, narcotic substances in Mankranso operation
- News1 week ago
Okyeame Kwame thanks Galaxy International School for co-parenting with his family to raise daughter
- News2 days ago
DVLA denies losing GH¢308,000 in alleged theft involving service personnel
