According to U.S. and Libyan officials, Russia is now reportedly relocating advanced air-defense systems and other sophisticated weapons from bases in Syria to Libya in an effort to maintain a military presence in the Middle East following the fall of the Assad regime in Damascus.
According to the officials, Russian cargo aircraft have transported air-defense equipment, such as radars for S-400 and S-300 interceptor systems, from Syria to bases in eastern Libya that are under the control of the Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, who is supported by Moscow.
Additionally, Russia has evacuated military aircraft, personnel, and weapons from Syria, thereby substantially diminishing its presence in the region.
In exchange for the assistance it provided to support Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian dictator who retreated to Moscow last week, Moscow has maintained significant naval and air bases for years.
The Syrian bases have been the foundation of Moscow’s capacity to project influence in the Middle East and Africa, acting as a central hub for the transportation of troops, mercenaries, and weapons.
The Russian navy’s primary replenishment and repair facility in the Mediterranean has been the naval base in Tartus.
Currently, it appears that Russia is attempting to maintain its influence in the region and sustain a naval presence in the area by utilizing another old partner in Libya.
This region is home to bases and warships of the United States and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization members.
In Libya, Russia has already established a presence through the Wagner paramilitary organization, which maintains close relationships with Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army, which governs the eastern region of the conflict-torn nation.
Wagner fighters have utilized Haftar’s facilities, which include an air base, as a transit gateway to other African countries.
A recent report has now indicated that senior Russian officials met with Haftar last year to discuss long-term mooring rights in the ports of Benghazi or Tobruk, both of which are situated less than 400 miles from Greece and Italy.
According to one of the U.S. officials, Moscow is contemplating the possibility of upgrading the facilities in Tobruk to accommodate Russian vessels.
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