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."
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
Serbian Mig 29 fighter planes fly over the Batajnica military airport near capital Belgrade, on Oct. 4, 2018. - ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images
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Jared Szuba
@JM_Szuba
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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.

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