Turkish-backed mercenaries in Libya increase to more than 1,250 after the arrival of more than 250 fighters. 2,000 more prepare to move
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights learned that some 260 fighters including a captain of Turkish-backed factions, went to Libya last night to fight alongside the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord forces, sources confirmed that the fighters are all from the “al-Sham Corps” faction, and mostly from Homs city, also 300 fighters of “al-Sham Corps” are being prepared to be transferred after several days to Libya.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored on the 5th of January 2019 that SOHR sources documented the killing of the first Syrian fighter of those sent by Turkey to Libya, in the ongoing battles in the Libyan capital “Tripoli”. He was killed while fighting in the side of the “Government of National Accord”.
According to information obtained by SOHR; the killed fighter is a member of “Sultan Murad” which is one of the most prominent factions among those sent their fighters to join the war in Libya.
The factions will keep the incident a secret, and will announce the death of the fighter as if being killed in the battles of North Syria, SOHR sources reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has been still keeping pace with the developments of Turkey’s plan to transport Syrian fighters to Libya to engage in the ongoing war there. SOHR sources have confirmed that nearly 1000 mercenaries have been already sent to the Libyan territory. Meanwhile, about 1700 recruits are undergoing training courses in the training camps in Turkey.
Also, the recruitment has been continuing widely whether in Afrin or the controlled areas of “Euphrates Shield”.
On December 30, SOHR sources confirmed that the number of conscripts that have been arrived in the Turkish camps to undergo training courses exceeded 1600 mercenaries of the fighters within the Turkish-backed factions of Sultan Murad, Suleiman Shah, and al-Mu’tasim Division.
They were transported from Afrin area after registering their names, at the time when the registration of more fighters widely continues, which means that the operation continues, despite the great focus on it politically and on media.
It is noteworthy that the conscription of mercenaries is a crime according to the international conventions issued by the UN before about 30 years ago.