The Head of the public relations department of the AFRICOM Nicole Kirschmann said there are 2000 Russian Wagner Group mercenaries fighting for Khalifa Haftar in Libya.
She told Libyan "February TV" that the heavy presence of the Russian mercenaries in the region destabilizes Africa, adding that Libya needs a political solution rather than the escalation of the mercenaries.
Yevgeny Prigozhin-owned Wagner Group has been backing up Haftar's forces against the internationally recognized Government of National Accord throughout 14-month offensive against Tripoli. Prigozhin is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, the US Congress said it was mulling a bill that incriminates and calls for sanctions against Russian Wagner Group owner who poses threats to US national security and that of its allies.
The US Congress bill says Russian Wagner Group has supported Khalifa Haftar and his forces by providing mercenaries, artillery, tanks, drones, and ammunition, with Yevgeniy Prigozhin personally attending a meeting between Haftar and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on November 07, 2018.
It added that a United Nations report, made public on May 06, 2020, concluded that Wagner Group had operated up to 1,200 military contractors in Libya, including snipers and specialized military teams, serving as “an effective force multiplier” for Haftar’s forces.