The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) announced on Monday that a further nine Syrian fighters had been killed in Libya, bringing the total death toll of Syrians in Libya to 199.
The fighters were killed in heavy clashes along the frontlines of Salah Al-Din in southern Tripoli, Al Ramlah near Tripoli International Airport, the Al-Hadabah district in Tripoli and in Misrata city, the SOHR reported.
According to the Observatory, the fighters belonged to various armed groups, including: the Al-Mu’tasim Division, Sultan Murad, Suqur Al-Shamal Brigade, Al-Hamzat, and Suleiman Shah.
The SOHR also reported that 5,300 Syrian fighters are currently in Libya, with a further 2,100 recruits undergoing training in Turkey. On April 15, 150 fighters from the Sultan Murad militia are believed to have been transferred to Libya.
Ankara has invested heavily in the conflict in Libya by sending weapons, fighters and drones being to assist forces aligned with the Government of National Accord. This comes despite Turkey’s formal endorsement of the outcomes of the Berlin Conference that was held in January, where foreign states agreed to uphold the UN arms embargo on Libya.