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US General: Russia Using 'Same Playbook' in Libya as in Ukraine, Syria

Carla Babb

   WASHINGTON - Russia isfurtherdestabilizing Libya to gain a stronghold
   innorthernAfrica, just as it has in Eastern Europe and the Middle East,
   according to a top official with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

   "Russia is executing the same playbook as successfully employed in
   Crimea,Ukraine and to a lesser extent in Syria. Russia has proved its
   willingness to violate sovereign nations, and appears willing to do the
   same in Africa," Brigadier General Gregory Hadfield, AFRICOM deputy
   director for intelligence,told reporters Friday.

   Hadfield said at least 14 MiG-29fighter jetsand Su-24bomberaircraftwere
   "flown by members of the Russian military" into Libya"by way of Iran
   and Syria" to support Russian state-sponsored private military
   contractors who are helping forces fighting the U.N.-supported Libyan
   government.He said the U.S. military wasalso aware of additional
   Russian cargo planes and personnel that havebeen brought in, as well as
   older surface-to-air missiles.