Italian Authorities Seize Cargo Ship Carrying Weapons To Libya At U.S. Request

Italian authorities, acting on US Intelligence, seized a cargo ship suspected of transporting Russian weapons to General Khalifa Haftar’s forces in Eastern Libya.

Italy’s Corriere della Sera reported that the operation occurred on June 18, 2024, in the southern port of Gioia Tauro.

The MSC Arina, a large merchant vessel that departed Shenzhen, China, on April 30, 2024, was intercepted after passing through Singapore, the Cape of Good Hope, Gibraltar, and the Spanish ports of Barcelona and Valencia.

Italian authorities seized millions of dollars in military supplies purportedly heading for Benghazi, a region controlled by Haftar.

The United States contributed crucial information that led to the seizure, suspecting the Kremlin’s plans to create a military port in Tobruk under Haftar’s control.

This strategic position would extend Russian dominance over Africa, posing a substantial threat to the European Union’s and NATO’s southern flanks and near the headquarters of the United States Sixth Fleet in Naples.

While the specifics of the military equipment on board are unknown, some analysts believe the cargo may have comprised armed drones.

The incident reflects persistent US-Russia tensions over Libya, with suspicions that Moscow is using the geopolitical distractions of the Gaza and Ukraine wars to strengthen its position in Africa.

Despite the vast operation, MSC, the Shipping company, stated that it was unaware of any container seizures, pointing out that commercial ships are frequently unintentionally utilized for illegal cargo.

Following the seizure, the MSC Arina continued its journey in the western Mediterranean, departing Gioia Tauro on June 20, 2024.

Exporting military supplies to Libya violates U.N. sanctions, highlighting the broader consequences of the interception.

The U.S. Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed concern about Russian naval missions delivering military weapons to Libya, highlighting the region’s increased alertness and strategic moves.

Reference: AA, Turkiye Today

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