27.02.2025, Ankara.
The redeployment of Russian forces from Syria to Libya signals an expansion of Moscow’s military presence in Libya, the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah wrote on February 27.
The transfer of military assets to the Ma’aten al-Sarra airbase, located near the borders of Chad and Sudan, suggests that Russia is modernizing the base, potentially turning it into a logistics hub for operations in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sudan.
Russia’s withdrawal from Syria and shift toward Libya represents a major security development in the Mediterranean. According to the report, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and his escape from Syria, Moscow appears to be scaling back its military presence in Syria while actively protecting its interests in North Africa from alternative locations.
The redeployment of Moscow’s military presence from Syria to Libya could trigger a significant geopolitical shift, not only in the Mediterranean but also in Africa, the publication notes.
“Russia is already reorganizing its military presence in the Sahel region under the name ‘African Corps’ and strengthening its influence in countries such as Mali, Niger, and Chad. Russia’s growing presence in Libya could pose a new security threat to Europe’s southern borders,” states Daily Sabah.
The strengthening of ties with Khalifa Haftar and the potential opening of the port of Tobruk to the Russian Navy could turn Libya into a new military hub for Moscow.
NATO, particularly Italy, should closely monitor Russia’s expansion in Libya, the newspaper suggests.
“While the latest actions of newly inaugurated US President Trump are rapidly reshaping the global agenda, they hinder NATO countries from taking concrete and decisive steps in the region. Furthermore, the presence of countries such as France within the alliance continues to fuel unresolved issues in Libya,” writes Daily Sabah.
