Spanish authorities intercepted the cargo ship Lila Mumbai (IMO 9253143), flying the Liberian flag, after it was spotted crossing the Strait of Gibraltar carrying materials suspected of military use, en route to the port of Benghazi in eastern Libya—one of the main gateways arming factions involved in the Sudanese conflict.
According to security sources, the vessel was first immobilized off Ceuta between August 27 and 30, before being escorted to Algeciras Bay for thorough inspection on August 31 and September 1. Preliminary investigations indicate that the ship had departed Fujairah port in the UAE on July 18, as part of a supply route linking the Emirates to eastern Libya, transporting weapons and military equipment to forces connected with the Sudanese war.
Cross-referenced reports suggest the cargo included 32-meter patrol boats built at the UAE’s Grandweld Shipyards. These deliveries are part of a controversial military series, raising serious concerns over blatant violations of the international arms embargo on Libya.
In a simultaneous development, diplomatic sources reported the interception of another vessel in the Suez Canal carrying UAE-supplied weapons to Benghazi, though it remains unclear whether Egyptian authorities acted independently or in coordination with the United States. Together, these incidents reveal a recurring supply network originating from UAE ports toward eastern Libya, reinforcing allegations of Abu Dhabi’s role in fueling both the Libyan and Sudanese conflicts through illicit arms channels.
UN experts have warned that eastern Libya has become a major hub for re-exporting weapons and mercenaries to Sudanese battlefronts, where clashes continue between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Observers say that intercepting these shipments provides further evidence of regional actors, particularly the UAE, prolonging the Sudanese conflict.
