The UN Group of Experts on Libya has submitted a report to the Security Council, noting that the Turkish government is continuing its practice of deploying Syrian fighters in Libya, according to the Nordic Monitor.
The report, presented by experts on May 27, 2022, noted “the continued presence of Turkish-backed Syrian fighters in army camps affiliated with the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli.”
He added that there had been attempts by Syrian fighters to leave Libya, whose contracts had expired, to be replaced by new groups.
UN investigators have found that Alaa al-Junaid, commander of the Hamza division of the pro-Turkish Islamist Syrian National Army (SNA), visited members of his forces at the Tekbali camp in Tripoli on May 20. videos on YouTube.
UN experts have described the deployment of Syrian fighters by Turkey as an “threat to the country’s peace, stability and security”.
It also hinders or undermines the successful completion of the transition policy.
Last year, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkish troops and Syrian fighters would remain in Libya to safeguard Ankara’s interests.
The warring Libyan factions signed a ceasefire agreement in October 2020.
The ceasefire agreement also demands the withdrawal of all mercenaries and foreign fighters from the country.
However, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Rami Abdel Rahman, estimates that some 7,000 Syrian mercenaries are still present in Libya.
