Following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, dozens of Syrian military officers have been relocated to Libya in a move reportedly orchestrated with Russian support, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based organization with extensive sources within Syria, revealed that approximately 60 officers from Bashar al-Assad’s military were transferred to eastern Libya in December.
The relocation occurred in two phases. The first group flew to North Africa on December 8 aboard a civilian aircraft, while the second group traveled on December 13 using a Russian military plane. Though the exact destination remains undisclosed, reports suggest they were stationed at the Al-Khadim airbase in eastern Libya, a stronghold for Russian mercenaries.
Eastern Libya is under the control of Khalifa Haftar, a military commander who opposes the United Nations-recognized Government of National Unity based in Tripoli. The officers are believed to be part of broader efforts to reinforce Haftar’s forces, according to The New Arab newspaper.
Since Assad’s removal, Russia has increased its military presence in the region, conducting numerous flights to Al-Khadim.
Reports from ItaMilRadar, an Italian platform monitoring military movements in the Mediterranean, say that Russia has also transferred military hardware, including S-300 and S-400 air defense systems, as well as approximately 1,000 soldiers from Syria’s Fifth Corps and 25th Special Armored Division.
The relocation occurred in two phases. The first group flew to North Africa on December 8 aboard a civilian aircraft, while the second group traveled on December 13 using a Russian military plane. Though the exact destination remains undisclosed, reports suggest they were stationed at the Al-Khadim airbase in eastern Libya, a stronghold for Russian mercenaries.
Eastern Libya is under the control of Khalifa Haftar, a military commander who opposes the United Nations-recognized Government of National Unity based in Tripoli. The officers are believed to be part of broader efforts to reinforce Haftar’s forces, according to The New Arab newspaper.
Since Assad’s removal, Russia has increased its military presence in the region, conducting numerous flights to Al-Khadim.
Reports from ItaMilRadar, an Italian platform monitoring military movements in the Mediterranean, say that Russia has also transferred military hardware, including S-300 and S-400 air defense systems, as well as approximately 1,000 soldiers from Syria’s Fifth Corps and 25th Special Armored Division.
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