The Battle For Libya's Oil Intensifies

BBC

The Guardian: US accuses Moscow of aiding warlord in battle for Libya oil ports

Pentagon says Russia has intervened to support opponents of the western-backed government

A fierce battle for control of Libya’s oil ports is raging this weekend as worried American officials claim that Russia is trying to “do a Syria” in the country, supporting the eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar in an attempt to control its main source of wealth.

The fighting between Haftar’s forces and militias from western Libya is focused on Sidra, Libya’s biggest oil port, and nearby Ras Lanuf, its key refinery. Together they form the gateway to the vast Oil Crescent, a series of oilfields stretching hundreds of miles through the Sahara containing Africa’s largest reserves. Haftar’s forces have launched airstrikes against militias around the oil ports themselves, with social media showing

pictures of corpses and burning vehicles. No casualty figures have yet been released.

Read more ....

More News On The Battle For Libya's Oil

Libya's deepening split finds battleground at oil terminals -- AP
Libyan Faction Takes Fight to Eastern Commander, Exposes Oil Port Defenses -- Reuters
Libya’s eastern forces on the march to retake oil ports -- The National
Russia sends mercenaries to back Libya’s Haftar -- Middle East Monitor
Libyan Authorities Deny Reports on Russian Private Military Companies Contracts -- Sputnik
Libya: Will losing oil ports end Haftar's power? -- Zineb Abdessadok, Al Jazeera
Libyan Oil May Be Slipping Out Of Putin’s Reach -- Zainab Calcuttawala, OilPrice.com
Putin gets some payback with 'alternative project' for Libya -- Al-Monitor