Report: UK deploys ground troops to protect Libyan oil fields

British Special Forces have been deployed in Libya to prepare for the arrival of 1,000 ground troops to halt Daesh’s advance towards areas along the Mediterranean Sea, Britain’s the Mirror newspaper revealed.

According to the paper, the Special Forces, including close military observation experts from the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, are spearheading a major coalition offensive against the extremist organisation.

Christine Petré: Daesh has its eyes on Libyan oil

The operation will involve around 6,000 American and European soldiers and marines – led by Italian forces and supported mainly by Britain and France.

The paper pointed out that the military preparations aim to halt the advance of nearly 5,000 Daesh supporters who now control a dozen major oilfields.

The newspaper said: “Success would give them control of all of the country’s oil and boost sales of their black market oil business which is funding their war-mongering and making them the richest terror group ever.”

Also read: Daesh attacks oil ports in eastern Libya

Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that the battle against Daesh may move to Libya after the organisation gained control of the city of Sirte, east of the capital Tripoli, and after several Daesh fighters and commanders fled Syria and Iraq to Libya.