Wagner to blame for increase in migrants from Africa, says Italy

THE Wagner mercenary group is behind a steep rise in migrant boats trying to cross the central Mediterranean, the Italian government has said.

Guido Crosetto, the defence minister, said in a statement: “I think it is safe to say that the exponential increase in the migratory phenomenon departing from African shores is also part of a clear strategy of hybrid warfare that the Wagner division is implementing, using its considerable weight in some African countries.”

Some 20,000 people have reached Italy so far this year, compared with 6,100 in the same period of 2022, interior ministry figures show, and the migration issue is piling pressure on the government.

Wagner forces have been accused of operating in several African countries including Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic. They have also spearheaded Russia’s attempt to take the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

Mr Crosetto, a senior figure in prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s Right-wing Brothers of Italy party, called on Nato allies to help Italy face the rise in migrant arrivals.

He said: “The Atlantic alliance becomes stronger if the problems arising from collective choices are also shared, but it runs the risk of cracking if the countries most exposed to retaliation of various kinds are left alone.”

Similar remarks were made by the Italian foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, who during a visit to Israel told Ansa news agency that it was worrying that many migrants came from areas “controlled by the Wagner group”.

Ms Meloni, who takes a hard line against illegal immigration, came under fire after a shipwreck last month near the southern region of Calabria in which at least 79 died, with allegations the emergency response was slow.

On Sunday a boat capsized after departing from Libya and charity Alarm Phone blamed Italy for not sending its coastguard despite being alerted.