On Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) revealed that Turkey is preparing to send a new group of Syrian mercenaries to Libya.
This comes amidst international calls for the removal of all foreign fighters from Libya.
In a statement, the SOHR indicated that the current Turkish preparations for sending a new group of mercenaries to Libya comes a few days after cancelling the return of another group of 140 mercenaries from Libya to Syria. The reasons for this remain unknown.
The observatory also noted that the recruitment process was taking place through brokers in the Syrian Idlib region and the northern countryside of Aleppo and Afrin. Recruits are offered financial incentives with a monthly salary of up to $400, under the pretext of securing facilities in Libya.
Last week, reliable SOHR sources confirmed that a state of anger is prevailing among the Syrian mercenaries in Libya, as a new group of them had their repatriation journey to Syria cancelled. This ignited greater discontent among the mercenaries who had already packed up and were ready to return.
On Friday the French Minister Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, called for the departure of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya. He confirmed his country’s support for international efforts to end the political crisis and foreign interference in Libya.