Russia’s Ghost Fleet and Its Impact on Libya’s Security Landscape
Leaked documents reveal that Russia uses its “ghost fleet” to send military supplies to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, with significant implications for regional stability and European security. The Barbaros, a cargo ship, has been tracked transporting trucks and remains a focal point of European surveillance efforts under the Operation Irini initiative. Increased Russian military involvement in Libya poses security challenges for Europe, particularly regarding migration routes.
Recent reports indicate that Russia is leveraging its so-called “ghost fleet”—a collection of aging commercial vessels with disguised ownership—to deliver military supplies to Khalifa Haftar, a Libyan warlord. The Barbatos, a Cameroonian-flagged cargo ship, recently traversed Istanbul towards the eastern Libyan port of Tobruk, controlled by Haftar’s forces, who have faced accusations of crimes against humanity from a United Nations fact-finding mission.
During its transit, maritime analyst Yörük Işık identified the Barbie as a “ship of interest” on social media due to its suspicious cargo: trucks typically affiliated with military activities and manufactured by a Russian entity under sanctions. Following Işık’s post, Operation Irini, a European Union initiative tasked with blocking arms transfers to Libya, flagged the vessel for closer scrutiny as part of its mandate.
The leaked documents from Operation Irini expose the various evasion tactics used by these commercial vessels. The Barbaros reportedly manipulated its Automatic Identification System (AIS) to obscure its movements and had changed its name multiple times while shifting flags frequently since 2013, prompting Interpol to recommend monitoring the ship closely for possible firearms transport.
Despite its cargo containing trucks that, while militarily useful, are not explicitly modified for such purposes, the ship was allowed to proceed to Tobruk. Nonetheless, the EU mission’s reports noted a troubling trend towards increased militarization in the region as Russia continues to support Haftar with essential resources.
Moscow has forged a significant partnership with Haftar over the last decade, providing military and financial backing, and establishing him as a key ally in Libya. Recent allegations by a U.N. mission and Amnesty International highlighted severe human rights violations perpetrated by Haftar’s militiamen, further complicating Western relations with this controversial figure. Other civil lawsuits against Haftar in the United States were dismissed, which raises questions about the international community’s obligations concerning human rights issues in Libya.
Despite these accusations, Western leaders have engaged with Haftar, exemplified by high-ranking American officials meeting with him in August 2024. This calculated approach reflects a sense of urgency among Western diplomats due to Russia’s escalating influence in eastern Libya. EU officials have articulated concern that failing to engage with Haftar’s institutions may cede ground to Russian interests.
Anas El Gomati, director at the Sadeq Institute, noted that Russia’s influence in Libya provides control over critical migration routes to Europe while positioning Moscow closer to NATO’s southern flank, particularly amid the ongoing conflict near Ukraine. He emphasized that this geopolitical strategy has profound implications for European security.
Recent reports indicate a significant increase in Russian military flights and arms shipments to Libya since early 2024, revealing deeper military entrenchment and formalized presence in the region. Documents indicate that the Wagner Group has been supplanted in Libya by the Africa Corps, representing a more direct and overt Russian military commitment to the conflict.
As Russia extends its reach into Libya, it complicates the regional security landscape and serves its interests across Africa, including involvement with military regimes in countries like Niger and the Central African Republic. This multifaceted strategy solidifies Russia’s presence, enabling access to valuable resources such as uranium, gold, and diamonds, while further eroding stability in the region.
The situation in Libya is indicative of a broader pattern where multiple nations, including Turkey, have employed ghost ships to violate international arms embargoes, exacerbating an already volatile environment. After Syrian President Bashar Assad’s decline, Italy reported that Russia would begin moving arms from Syria to Libya, with Ukrainian intelligence confirming active partnerships developing between Moscow and Haftar.
The presence of Russian forces in Libya not only undermines stability but also poses a pressing security concern for Europe, particularly amid ongoing migration crises. El Gomati succinctly articulated the stakes involved, calling it a “testament to Western strategic negligence” as Russia establishes a significant military foothold threatening European interest and security.
In conclusion, the emergence of Russia’s ghost fleet highlights a multifaceted strategy to support Khalifa Haftar in Libya while circumventing international sanctions. Despite evidence of human rights violations and the ongoing militarization of the region, Western engagement with Haftar continues. As Russia’s influence and military presence grow within Libya, it poses an immediate security threat to Europe and reinforces the need for strategic responses to mitigate escalating tensions in the area.
Original Source: www.icij.org
