Operation Sirli
A clandestine French military intelligence operation aided the Egyptian Air Force in extra-judicially killing civilians suspected of smuggling activity across the Libyan border area.
egypt-papers.disclose.ngo
A clandestine French military intelligence operation aided the Egyptian Air Force in extra-judicially killing civilians suspected of smuggling activity across the Libyan border area.
egypt-papers.disclose.ngo
Based on an Egyptian request for Counter-Terror support, a team of 10 French personnel were secretly sent to the Western Desert in 2016.
The team included 4 soldiers and 6 private-sector contractors. The latter component was comprised of 2 pilots and 4 systems analysts.
The team included 4 soldiers and 6 private-sector contractors. The latter component was comprised of 2 pilots and 4 systems analysts.
The French team, based in Matruh AFB, were tasked with flying a Merlin III surveillance aircraft and relaying potential terror-related target information to their Egyptian counterparts.
An Egyptian liaison officer was always present.
An Egyptian liaison officer was always present.
While the mission was ostensibly launched to help identify terror-related targets originating from Libya, the Egyptians quickly pushed the focus towards targeting smugglers.
The 🇫🇷 team apparently raised the issue with their superiors several times but the operation continued.
The 🇫🇷 team apparently raised the issue with their superiors several times but the operation continued.
The Egyptians would also request that information loops be shortened so that their air force could be deployed more quickly.
A move that completely shifted the priority of the mission towards the targeting of potential smuggling activity on behalf of the EAF.
A move that completely shifted the priority of the mission towards the targeting of potential smuggling activity on behalf of the EAF.
The Egyptians were actively using the French team to target smuggling activity that had little to do with any terror organisations within the country or Libya.
One report mentions over a thousand vehicles being destroyed by the EAF thanks to the operation.
One report mentions over a thousand vehicles being destroyed by the EAF thanks to the operation.
The French team noted the use of armed Cessna and US-supplied F-16s by the Egyptian Air Force to carry out strikes against potential smuggling convoys.
Egypt's border operations have also led to casualties amongst civilians uninvolved in smuggling activities.
On July 5th 2017, Ahmed El-Fiky, an engineer from Cairo, and two of his colleagues were allegedly killed by an airstrike within an area Sirli conducts surveillance.
On July 5th 2017, Ahmed El-Fiky, an engineer from Cairo, and two of his colleagues were allegedly killed by an airstrike within an area Sirli conducts surveillance.
"According to information received by Disclose, members of the French armed forces continue to be deployed in the Egyptian desert."
I'll share some of my thoughts tomorrow, hopefully, but check out this thread by @AllisonLMcManus in the meantime.
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