Resuming back-and-forth transfer of mercenaries | Nearly 250 mercenaries, mostly injured and sick National Army fighters, return to Syria

SOHR sources have reported that Turkey resumed the back-and-forth transfer of Syrian mercenaries operating in Libya a few days ago, sending nearly 250 Syrian mercenaries to Syria from Libya via Turkey, the majority of them wounded and sick fighters operating under the banner of “Al-Sultan Murad, Soqur Al-Shamal, Suleiman Shah, Al-Hamza Division, Al-Majd Corps” and other factions.

In parallel, two batches of 250 mercenaries also left Syria for Libya, the majority of whom left Syria after registering their names with Al-Majd Corps, Al-Sultan Murad faction and Al-Hamza division.

This new back-and-operation comes after the escalation of disagreements between “Al-Sultan Murad and Soqour Al-Shamal” factions members since early July and the ongoing demands by the mercenaries to resume back-and-forth transfer operations.

However, the resumption of back and forth transfer operations comes after mercenaries threatened to stage demonstrations if back and forth transfer operations suspended until the end of 2022.

Last June, the leaders of Turkish-backed factions informed mercenaries that back and forth transfer operations would be halted until the end of 2022, except for exceptional cases.

On July 2, Reliable sources informed SOHR that the Yarmouk camp which houses Syrian mercenaries of Turkish-backed “national army” in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, was witnessing an escalation of disagreements between National Army members as they are prevented from taking vacations to Syria and mercenaries’ back-and-forth operation are halted.

It is worth noting that many Syrian mercenaries were in Libyan camps for about two years without being returned under back operations to Syrian territory.

Syrian Observatory sources confirmed escalating differences between “Al-Sultan Murad” and “Souqur Al-Shamal” members, as their leaders continue to steal their salaries and are not offered food allowances.

Two National Army members fled the camp, in coordination with smugglers, and entered Algeria illegally in order to reach Europe, but Turkish intelligence arrested the brother of a fugitive to pressure the fugitive to return to Libya.

 

On June 26, Reliable sources informed SOHR that the leadership of Turkish forces in Libya has informed the mercenaries of “National Army” factions, who are in camps in Government of National Accord GNA-controlled areas, of the cessation of back-and-forth transfer operations until the end of 2022 without explaining the reasons.

Turkish forces have also informed mercenary commanders that they are willing to send an aircraft only when necessary.