A claim circulating on social media since April 20, 2025, asserts that the Libyan Armed Forces issued a stern warning to the US warship USS Mount Whitney, threatening to target it if it entered the port of Benghazi. The claim states that the Libyan military would not hesitate to defend the country's sovereignty. This assertion gained significant traction online, garnering over 4,000 interactions and 1,000 comments within a day.
An investigation by Annir into the validity of this claim found that it was unfounded. The Libyan Armed Forces did not issue any statement to that effect on their official page. In contrast, the US Embassy in Libya reported on April 21, 2025, that the USS Mount Whitney was scheduled to visit Benghazi after stopping in Tripoli. The warship's visit aimed to discuss security cooperation between the US and Libya.
The USS Mount Whitney indeed docked in Benghazi on April 21, 2025, where it was received by high-ranking military officials, including Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Lieutenant General Khairi Al-Temimi. The visit was intended to foster cooperation between the two nations and support Libya's efforts to unify its military. The US Embassy's announcement confirmed that the ship's visit was part of a broader effort to strengthen regional security.
The initial claim about the Libyan military warning appears to have originated from a social media post that was widely shared and commented on. However, no credible sources or official statements supported this assertion. In contrast, official channels confirmed the USS Mount Whitney's visit to Benghazi, highlighting the cooperative nature of the interaction between the US and Libyan militaries.
The Libyan Armed Forces' official page did not contain any statement regarding the alleged warning to the USS Mount Whitney. This absence of evidence, combined with the confirmation from the US Embassy, indicates that the claim was unfounded. Annir's investigation concluded that the claim was misleading and without basis in fact.
The USS Mount Whitney's visit to Benghazi and Tripoli reflects the ongoing cooperation between the US and Libya in the security domain. This cooperation aims to support Libya's efforts to stabilize and unify its military, as well as enhance regional security. The visit underscores the importance of diplomatic engagement and cooperation between nations.
Annir's fact-checking efforts revealed that the claim about the Libyan military warning was part of a broader pattern of misinformation on social media. This incident highlights the need for verification and fact-checking in the digital age, where false information can spread rapidly and gain significant traction.
Key points
- The Libyan Armed Forces did not issue a warning to the US warship USS Mount Whitney about entering Benghazi.
- The USS Mount Whitney visited Benghazi on April 21, 2025, as part of a broader effort to strengthen US-Libya security cooperation.
- The visit aimed to support Libya's efforts to unify its military and enhance regional security.
