Instead of bringing them back, Turkey sends a batch of new mercenaries to Libya

BY

Walaa Ali

-

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 - 03:08 GMT

BY

Walaa Ali

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 - 03:08 GMT

FILE PHOTO: Fighters loyal to Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) celebrate after regaining control over the city, in Tripoli, Libya, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Ayman Al-Sahili

FILE PHOTO: Fighters loyal to Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) celebrate after regaining control over the city, in Tripoli, Libya, June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Ayman Al-Sahili

CAIRO - 10 APRIL 2020: The return of the "mercenaries" of the pro-Turkish Syrian factions from Libya is still stalled, according to a Thursday's report issued by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights(SOHR).
 
 
The Turkish government deliberately sent a new batch of 380 mercenaries to Libya during the recent days, according to the information of the SOHR, as the group was brought to Turkey at the beginning, and then it was sent to Libya.
 
 
This comes in light of the increasing dissatisfaction of the mercenaries present in Libya due to their residency and non-return, especially their living conditions are extremely poor, according to the observatory.
 
 
The SOHR had recently published a report on the suspension of the process of returning Syrian mercenaries loyal to Turkey from Libya since March 21, at a time when the mercenaries were supposed to leave Libya and return to Syria.
 
 
The SOHR stated the Turkish side "is still eluding the return file, amid constant dissatisfaction with the fighters present there."
 
 
Recently, The European Union called for the departure of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, describing it as a “precondition” for a return to stability in the war-torn country, The Washington Post reported.


At a news conference in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, EU Council President Charles Michel described the appointment of a transitional government earlier this year as a “historic moment.”



The government is meant to shepherd the country through until general elections on Dec. 24.



“You have created an opportunity to rebuild your country, but there is one precondition — all foreign fighters and troops must leave the country,” he said, urging Libya’s political — and mostly armed — factions to seize a “unique opportunity to build a united sovereign stable and prosperous country.”

 

Civil war broke out in Libya after the toppling of long-time ruler Muammer Gaddafi in 2011, who was later killed. Numerous militias are fighting for power and influence in the country, with Tripoli-allied militias backed by Turkey, Qatar and Italy. Meanwhile, eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France and Russia.

 

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