Russia withdraws air defense systems and other weaponry from Syria to Libya
Photo: Russia withdraws weapons from Syria to Libya (Russian media)
Russia is withdrawing its air defense systems and other weaponry from military bases in Syria and shifting them to Libya, The Wall Street Journal reports.
According to the sources, Russian cargo planes have been transporting air defense systems, including radars for S-400 and S-300 interception systems, from Syria to bases in eastern Libya. These bases are controlled by Kremlin ally, General Khalifa Haftar, the Commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army.
Photo: satellite images of bases in Syria (wsj.com)
Russia has also withdrawn troops, military aviation, and other weapons from Syria. Moscow is trying to maintain its influence in the Middle East, which it had been able to do for years through Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. Now, Russia is attempting to use another long-time partner in Libya.
Russia has previously maintained a military presence in Libya, including through the Wagner Group, which has close ties with Haftar. Wagner fighters have used Haftar's facilities as a transit hub for other African countries.
According to a US official, it is still unclear whether the weapon systems, including S-400 components, will remain in Libya or be returned to Russia.
Fall of Assad's regime
A few weeks ago, Syrian rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. The government forces did not offer significant resistance to opposition forces. Assad himself fled to Russia.
Moscow has claimed that Assad voluntarily agreed to transfer power before fleeing Syria.
Amid the events in Syria, Russia is withdrawing its ships from naval bases and lifting leftover weaponry from those bases. In Ukraine, it is emphasized that the collapse of Assad's regime has dealt a blow to Russia, as Syria had been one of Moscow's allies for a long period.
