(Strategy Page) March 6, 2011: The rebellion against the Kadaffi dictatorship in Libya has not produced any official outside help, but Egypt has apparently sent some of its commandos in to help out the largely amateur rebel force. Wearing civilian clothes, the hundred or so Egyptian commandos are officially not there, but are providing crucial skills and experience to help the rebels cope with the largely irregular, and mercenary, force still controlled by the Kadaffi clan. There are also some commandos from Britain (SAS) and American (Special Forces) operators are also believed wandering around, mainly to escort diplomats or perform reconnaissance (and find out who is in charge among the rebels).

The Egyptian commandos come from Unit 777, a force that was established in the late 1970s, but underwent some ups and downs in the next two decades before achieving its current form. Today, the 250-300 -man Unit 777 is a significantly improved force. They fall under the command of the Army Commando Command, both of whom are based in Cairo. Unit 777 trains with the help of the German GSG-9, French GIGN, and American Delta Force commandos. All Unit 777 members are qualified in static-line (low altitude) airborne operations, and possibly with HALO (high altitude jumps) as well. The primary operations of Unit 777 involve the suppression of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamic radical groups. There have been rumors that Unit 777 has conducted cross-border operations, although this cannot be confirmed. If not, this foray into Libya would be the first one. The foreign commandos who have worked with Unit 777 all agree that the Egyptians have become quite competent, especially when it comes to counter-terror operations.

Any Egyptian involvement in Libya has to be handled very carefully. While the two countries fought a three day war in 1977, the real cause of tension is the fact that for thousands of years, most of Libya was considered part of Egypt. Given the fact that Libya has all that oil, and less than a tenth of the population of Egypt, well, then, you can figure out the rest. But for the moment, everyone is a revolutionary brother. At least for as long as the moment lasts, then history takes over. (more)

The British press is abuzz with their own involvement in Libya growing within the last day. Reports are the rebels captured and are holding Brit SAS special forces guys. This sounds very disorganized, to say the least. My biggest problem is earlier reports are al Qaeda is fighting beside these ‘rebels’. Hillary Clinton said just last week we haven’t really identified who the rebels are. So, if the al Qaeda report is true, are our allies in Afghanistan now going to be instructing and fighting beside the enemy? And let’s not overlook our two war ships that just entered the area last week.

Also, the Saudi’s are sending in military hardware to support the rebellion. (The Independent) — Desperate to avoid US military involvement in Libya in the event of a prolonged struggle between the Gaddafi regime and its opponents, the Americans have asked Saudi Arabia if it can supply weapons to the rebels in Benghazi. The Saudi Kingdom, already facing a “day of rage” from its 10 per cent Shia Muslim community on Friday, with a ban on all demonstrations, has so far failed to respond to Washington’s highly classified request, although King Abdullah personally loathes the Libyan leader, who tried to assassinate him just over a year ago.

Washington’s request is in line with other US military co-operation with the Saudis. The royal family in Jeddah, which was deeply involved in the Contra scandal during the Reagan administration, gave immediate support to American efforts to arm guerrillas fighting the Soviet army in Afghanistan in 1980 and later — to America’s chagrin — also funded and armed the Taliban.

But the Saudis remain the only US Arab ally strategically placed and capable of furnishing weapons to the guerrillas of Libya. Their assistance would allow Washington to disclaim any military involvement in the supply chain — even though the arms would be American and paid for by the Saudis.

The Saudis have been told that opponents of Gaddafi need anti-tank rockets and mortars as a first priority to hold off attacks by Gaddafi’s armour, and ground-to-air missiles to shoot down his fighter-bombers.

Supplies could reach Benghazi within 48 hours but they would need to be delivered to air bases in Libya or to Benghazi airport. If the guerrillas can then go on to the offensive and assault Gaddafi’s strongholds in western Libya, the political pressure on America and Nato — not least from Republican members of Congress — to establish a no-fly zone would be reduced.

US military planners have already made it clear that a zone of this kind would necessitate US air attacks on Libya’s functioning, if seriously depleted, anti-aircraft missile bases, thus bringing Washington directly into the war on the side of Gaddafi’s opponents. (more)

• Again to reitterate.   Secretary Gates was emergency dispatched to Libya on Saturday.
• Al Queda North Africa is involved in supporting the rebels on the Western Libya Front.
• The Muslim Brotherhood vis-a-vi Egypt is involved on the Eastern side rebellion.
• The Western Media continues to ignore and dismiss the collaboration.
• Muslims are attacking Christians throughout Egypt.

This is not looking good.  What do all these links have in common?   Radical Islam !! …  We are now seeing a collaboration between Al Queda North Africa and Al Queda Arabian Peninsular…….  All this while Yemen boils with anti western sentiment.  /SD

** UPDATE**  New reports show (JPost) — Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is using paid mercenaries from Serbia, Syria, the Ukraine and Romania to attack rebels, Asharq al-Awsat reported.  According to Al Jazeera, Libyan rebels shot down two Syrian planes in Ras Lanuf.

Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi advanced east of the recaptured town of Bin Jawad on Sunday, heading towards the rebel-held oil town of Ras Lanuf, about 60 km (40 miles) away, witnesses said.  “I went to Bin Jawad and about 13 miles beforehand I saw Gaddafi forces, a large truck and army vehicles, and a fighter jet, they were coming slowly in this direction,” Ahmed al-Araibi, a driver, told Reuters.

“I saw army trucks ahead, I was about 20 km away (from Bin Jawad),” said Khalifa Saad, another driver. While another witness said there were several trucks heading to Ras Lanuf.  A BBC reporter also showed Reuters footage from Sunday of a truck and warplane near Bin Jawad, heading towards Ras Lanuf. (more)