Sudan detains 8 children, 114 adults recruited to fight in Libya
London, June 29, 2020 (AltAfrica)-Sudan said on Sunday it has arrested 122 of its nationals as they headed to neighbouring Libya to fight as “mercenaries,” state media reported.
The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) has long accused Sudan of sending fighters to back Gen. Khalifa Haftar, who claims legitimacy from an eastern-based elected parliament.
Sudan, which shares a border with southeastern Libya, denies the allegations.
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قوة أمنية مشتركة تتمكن من القبض على 122 متفلت بينهم 8 أطفال متوجهين للعمل كمرتزقة في ليبيا https://t.co/oJvbGGD5EE#سونا #السودان pic.twitter.com/G07bZbpSZt
— SUDAN News Agency (SUNA) 🇸🇩 (@SUNA_AGENCY) June 28, 2020
State news agency SUNA on Sunday cited Brigadier Jamal Jumaa, spokesman for the Rapid Reaction Forces, saying that “joint security forces detained 122 outlaws including eight children who were heading to (fight as) mercenaries in Libya.”
SUNA published a video showing dozens of youths sitting on the ground, surrounded by military vehicles carrying soldiers armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles.
It said the video was shot in Al-Junayna, the capital of West Darfur province.
Sudan’s Foreign Minister this week denied that Sudanese forces were involved in the conflict in Libya.
In an interview with AFP, Asmaa Abdallah said: “We cannot get involved in a conflict in any neighbouring country.”
