In what can only be described as a real embarrassment for the US, a group of Special Forces landed in Libya last week only to be immediately asked to leave. Photographs purporting to be of the elite unit in civilian clothing and carrying weapons were posted on Facebook by the Libyan Air Force, loyal to the internationally recognized government. However there is some speculation that the men pictured are, in fact, private military contractors.
The al-Wattiya airbase—where the troops landed—is controlled by a militia affiliated with the Libyan army, which may explain the lack of coordination. The unit is described as being “in combat readiness wearing bullet proof jackets,” in the Libyan Air Force Facebook post.
A US African Command spokesperson told the BBC that US troops had traveled to the war-torn country to “foster relationships and enhance communication with their counterparts in the Libyan National Army," but the unit left without incident “in an effort to avoid conflict.”
A Pentagon official stated that members of a local militia had demanded US personnel depart, the Telegraph reports.
Libya has been riddled with conflict since the ousting from power of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country is currently dealing with the threat of Daesh-affiliated fighters, local militias and a split leadership in the form of two governments.
On Wednesday, representatives from both governments signed a powersharing deal, although their separate parliaments have yet to agree on it.
