A large number of Syrian mercenaries were killed this week when they clashed with the Libyan National Army (LNA) in the Tripoli countryside.
According to reports from northwestern Libya, the Libyan National Army managed to eliminate an installation belonging to the Turkish-backed Syrian militants during an attack around the Ayn Zara axis.
The reports have put the death toll for the Syrian mercenaries between 30 and 35, with several more wounded or captured by the Libyan National Army.
The Syrian mercenaries, mostly from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), were first transported to Libya at the end of 2019.
Based on a report from Bloomberg News, the Turkish authorities offered the Syrian mercenaries 2,000 dollars a month to fight on behalf of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) forces.
However, since then, several of these Syrian militants have fled Libya for either Turkey or Europe, with some reports claiming that over 2,000 have traveled to the European Union this year.
Despite the Libyan National Army’s offer of a ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan, the Government of National Accord forces have continued to carry out attacks across the northern part of the country; this has resulted in increased violence in the month of May.
In a separate note, on Apr. 12, 2020, Russia sent a large amount of military equipment to Syria, including tanks and other armored vehicles.
According to the maritime observer Yoruk Isik, the Russian Federation’s Project 1171 ЧФ Black Sea Fleet 197th Assault Ship Brigade Tapir class LST Saratov transited on Apr. 10, 2020, the Bosphorus Strait that links the Black and Mediterranean seas.
The Russian ship would later arrive at Syria’s Port of Tartous, where the cargo on the ship was later unloaded and transported to the Syrian and Russian armed forces inside the country.
The arrival of these armored vehicles came a month after the Turkish Air Force launched a powerful attack in the Idleb Governorate, which resulted in the death of several soldiers and the destruction of a number of vehicles, including tanks and armored personnel carriers (APC).
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
