Sudanese mercenaries run into Libya, fear of destructive war increases

A new wave of mercenaries from Sudan is fighting in Libya, raising concerns that the conflict in the North African state can become an extremely difficult international struggle that can stabilise the entire region.

The leaders of two different Sudanese fighters in Libya have told the Guardian they have received hundreds of new recruits in recent months, Periscopi explains.

Both groups are fighting for the Libyan National Army led by General Khalifa Haftar against the internationally recognised government in Tripoli.

Many young men [are coming]... we don't even have the capacity to accommodate them all,” said one of the commanders south of Libya.

The commanders said there were at least 3 thousand Sudanese mercenaries who were currently fighting in Libya, a far higher number than in past measurements.

Earlier this month, the UN said the interference of fighters from Sudan to Libya was a direct threat to the security of this war-torn country.

Libya has been plagued by riots since civil war broke out in 2011 following the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddhafi, who was later killed. In the chaos that followed, the country was divided, with a weak UN-backed administration in Tripoli being rejected by the national army of General Haftar, who is making serious efforts to overthrow the new government.

Finally, Turkey has sent aid and adopted a bill to send troops to Libya to support the UN-recognised government. /Periscope