US warns of NATO security threat as Russian jets arrive in Libya
The fighter aircraft were delivered via Syria, where they were reportedly painted "to camouflage their Russian origin."
![1045557648 Serbian Air Force Mig 29 fighter planes fly over the Batajnica military airport near capital Belgrade, on October 4, 2018. - The members of Serbias Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Defence and their colleagues from Russias Aerospace Force started an air-tactical exercise BARS 2018 on October 1, 2018. Serbias Defence Ministry said in a statement that the goal of the exercise to last through October 6 was to raise the level of the operational capabilities of the two countries air forces. That is the fourth such ex](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2020/05/GettyImages-1045557648.jpg/GettyImages-1045557648.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=1uGoMQkC)
US Africa Command said Russia has introduced fighter aircraft to Libya to “tip the scales” in the country’s civil war, a move the command characterized as a step toward a possible security threat to NATO.
Reports first emerged last week that a Russian MiG-29 had been spotted at al-Jufrah airbase in western Libya. Satellite imagery also led to speculation that Russian Su-24s were being stored in hangars at al-Khadim airbase in the country’s east.