Italy’s defence minister on Monday accused Russia’s Wagner mercenary group of fuelling irregular migration in the direction of Europe as a means of hitting again at international locations like his which assist Ukraine.
“The exponential increase in the migratory phenomenon from African coasts is also, to a considerable extent, part of a clear strategy of hybrid warfare that the Wagner division… is implementing, using its significant weight in some African countries,” Guido Crosetto mentioned in a press launch.
“Just as the EU, NATO and the West have realised that cyber attacks were part of the global confrontation that the war in Ukraine opened up, they should now understand that the southern European front is also becoming more dangerous every day.”
He warned that “uncontrolled and continuous immigration… is becoming a way to hit the most exposed countries, above all Italy, and their geostrategic choices”.
More than 20,000 migrants have landed on Italy’s shores to date this yr, in comparison with round 6,000 in the identical interval in 2022 and 2021, based on inside ministry figures.
Most set off from north Africa in overcrowded boats, and plenty of lose their lives, with 30 migrants reported lacking by Italy’s coastguard off Libya late Sunday.
Wagner, run by a businessman seen as near President Vladimir Putin, is lively in Ukraine however has additionally cultivated a rising footprint in Africa.
In current years, it has established itself within the Central African Republic and Mali.
Crosetto’s feedback have been echoed by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who mentioned Monday throughout a visit to Israel that Rome had issues “because many immigrants arrive from areas controlled by the Wagner group”.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right authorities was elected in September elections partly on a promise to finish mass migration.
Critics say her coverage of treating migrant boats as a legislation enforcement difficulty, fairly than a humanitarian one, contributed to a lethal shipwreck on February 26 through which greater than 70 folks died.
Italy, an EU and NATO member, is a robust supporter of Ukraine, sending support and weapons to assist it defend itself in opposition to Russia’s invasion.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
