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Libya Review
5 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
Italian Military Aircraft Conducts Third Maritime Patrol Off Eastern Libya
An Italian Air Force ATR P-72A aircraft carried out a nearly six-hour-long maritime patrol mission off the eastern coast of Libya, according to flight tracking data reported by Itamil Radar. The aircraft departed from Souda Air Base on the Greek island of Crete and focused its patrol over the maritime zone stretching between the Libyan cities of Al-Bayda and Tobruk. This marks the third such mission by the same aircraft in recent days. Unlike the previous patrols, which monitored wider zones, this mission appeared to concentrate specifically on the eastern coastal corridor. After completing its operations, the aircraft flew toward southeastern Crete before returning to its base. The ongoing surveillance flights reflect a heightened European military presence in the central Mediterranean, particularly amid concerns over irregular migration, maritime security, and regional instability near the Libyan coastline. Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations. Libya's economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya's economy. The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions. The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition. Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges. Tags: ATR P-72AItalian Air ForceItalylibya
Libya Observer
09-07-2025
- General
- Libya Observer
ItaMilRadar: US military plane lands in Benghazi and Misrata
The Italian website Itamil Radar, which specializes in tracking military aviation, reported that a US Air Force aircraft landed in the cities of Benghazi and Misrata during an unspecified mission on Monday. According to the Italian website, the aircraft — a Lockheed Martin C-130J belonging to the United States Air Force — returned to Sigonella Air Base in Sicily after completing its mission in Libya. The website noted that the plane took off early Monday from Sigonella, flew south over the central Mediterranean, and made stops in both Benghazi and Misrata. The website added that after completing its tasks on the ground, the C-130J began its return journey northward, passing over Malta and arriving in Sicily. The nature of the mission conducted by the American aircraft in Libya was not disclosed. However, the website pointed out that such air missions are often linked to US diplomatic support and military logistical services, as well as cooperation with local forces in Libya. Tags: ItaMilRadar
Libya Review
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
US Intensifies Aerial Surveillance Near Libya
The Italian defense aviation tracking website ItamilRadar has reported intensified US aerial activity in the central Mediterranean, specifically in airspace adjacent to Libya. The operations, described as part of ongoing intelligence and reconnaissance efforts, underscore Washington's continued strategic interest in North Africa amid growing political instability in Libya. On Sunday, two US military aircraft were tracked conducting surveillance missions between Sicily, Tunisia, and the Libyan coast. The first aircraft, an MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle operated by the US Navy, used the callsign 'BLKCAT5' and was registered as '169660.' It was believed to have taken off from Sigonella Air Base in Sicily. The drone conducted extended patrols over international waters, focusing on the maritime zone near the Libyan-Tunisian border and the coastal area surrounding Tripoli. The mission likely involved monitoring shipping activity and coastal movements. The second aircraft was a US Army Challenger 650 ARTEMIS, a jet configured for signals intelligence (SIGINT), registered as 'N488CR.' It departed from Constanța, Romania, and carried out reconnaissance loops off the coast between Tripoli and Misrata. Equipped with advanced electronic monitoring systems, the aircraft is capable of collecting data on communications and radar emissions from ground-based installations and vessels. Simultaneously, a US Air Force C-130J Super Hercules, registration '07-8614,' arrived at Misrata Airport from Souda Bay Air Base in Crete. Details regarding the cargo or mission purpose remain undisclosed. These aerial operations come at a time of renewed political and military tension in western Libya, particularly around Tripoli. The coordinated deployment of ISR platforms suggests an ongoing assessment of the security environment and maritime dynamics, possibly linked to counterterrorism, migration monitoring, or safeguarding regional interests. Tags: dronelibyaSurveillanceus
Libyan Express
23-05-2025
- General
- Libyan Express
NATO drone conducts ‘unusual' patrol off Libyan coast
BY Libyan Express May 23, 2025 - 06:37 The NATO owned and operated RQ-4D Phoenix is a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Photo: Northrop Grumman A NATO surveillance drone carried out an extended reconnaissance mission off Libya's coast after experiencing communication problems during a flight towards the Black Sea, according to Italian aviation monitoring website ItamilRadar. The Northrop Grumman RQ-4D Phoenix drone took off from Sigonella Air Base in Sicily on Thursday morning, initially bound for the Black Sea region. The mission marked the first appearance of this type of aircraft on radar systems for several months, the website reported. After entering Greek airspace, the drone began flying in circular patterns, which ItamilRadar suggested could indicate technical difficulties. Despite the apparent malfunction, the aircraft continued towards its original destination. The drone subsequently transmitted an emergency '7600' squawk code whilst over the Black Sea, signalling a loss of radio communication with ground control. This prompted mission controllers to abort the operation and order the aircraft's return to Sicily. However, during the return flight over the Mediterranean, the communication issues appeared to be resolved. The drone then diverted southward and began conducting surveillance operations along the Libyan coastline instead. ItamilRadar noted that the NATO mission coincided with a separate, extended operation by a US Navy MQ-4C Triton drone over Libya. The website described the simultaneous missions as 'particularly interesting', though it provided no further details about potential co-ordination between the operations. The incident highlights the complex nature of international surveillance operations in the Mediterranean region, where NATO and US forces regularly conduct reconnaissance missions to monitor regional security developments. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
