Imagine discovering that soldiers trained by your country’s experts are now appearing in a conflict zone thousands of miles away, potentially fighting alongside forces you’ve publicly condemned. This is the startling reality facing Ireland today, as Libyan troops once trained by former Irish Defence Forces personnel have surfaced in Russia, expressing fears they may be deployed to Ukraine. But here’s where it gets even more unsettling: these soldiers, part of Khalifa Haftar’s eastern Libyan forces, were recently trained by Russian forces in advanced tactics like sniping and special raids. Now, they’re in Belarus, a close ally of Moscow, for further training—and this is the part most people miss—while another contingent is in Yemen, honing anti-insurgent skills.
The story begins with the 166 Infantry Battalion, a unit trained by Irish Training Solutions (ITS), an Offaly-based company founded by ex-members of Ireland’s elite Army Ranger Wing. Between 2023 and 2024, ITS was one of several international firms hired to professionalize Haftar’s Libyan National Army, part of his bid to legitimize his rule in eastern Libya after failing to overthrow the UN-recognized government in Tripoli in 2020. But here’s the controversial twist: this training appears to violate extensive UN and EU arms embargoes that explicitly forbid military training or equipment for Libyan forces. Ireland, ironically, has actively participated in enforcing these very bans by deploying ships and personnel.
When questioned, ITS’s solicitor denied any current involvement in Libya or knowledge of troop deployments. Yet, newly emerged images and videos reviewed by The Irish Times show 166 Battalion members in Russia and Belarus, some even wearing Russian uniforms. A former ITS instructor confirmed the authenticity of these photos. Messages from the troops reveal their anxiety about being sent to fight alongside Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. One soldier bluntly expressed fear of deployment, while another claimed superiors assured them they wouldn’t go—but added, “We are ready to go to war at any time.”
This raises a critical question: Did Ireland inadvertently contribute to a conflict it now publicly opposes? While there’s no evidence ITS knew about the troops’ deployment to Russia or Belarus, the situation is deeply embarrassing for the Irish Government, especially as it hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy this week. It’s also not the first time ITS-trained troops have turned up in unexpected places. Last year, 95 Libyan nationals, including some trained by ITS, were arrested at a secret military camp in South Africa before deportation.
Russia’s use of foreign troops isn’t new. Facing manpower shortages, it deployed North Korean soldiers to Ukraine last year, equipping them with Russian gear and placing them under Russian command. Meanwhile, Haftar has been strengthening ties with Moscow, seeking international recognition while offering Russia a strategic foothold in Africa. In September, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov hosted Haftar in Moscow to discuss military cooperation, and Russia has supplied Haftar’s forces with aircraft, armored vehicles, and training from the Africa Corps—a group formed from the remnants of the notorious Wagner Group.
But here’s the bigger picture: As Haftar deepens relations with Belarus, which trained his 87th Special Forces Battalion last year, the lines between international training, mercenary work, and geopolitical maneuvering blur. ITS, now reportedly wrapping up its Libyan operations, faced investigations last year after The Irish Times exposed its involvement. While no charges were filed, it prompted an internal Defence Forces probe and warnings against mercenary activities.
This saga leaves us with a thought-provoking question: In an era of globalized conflict and private military training, how can countries ensure their expertise isn’t misused—or worse, turned against their own principles? What do you think? Is Ireland partly responsible for the potential deployment of these troops, or is this simply a consequence of the complex, often murky world of international military training? Let’s discuss in the comments.
