The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) denied the rumours circulating on social media regarding Russia’s transfer of fighters from Deir Ezzor to fight in Libya.
The sources of the Syrian Observatory confirmed that one of the photos spread on social media belonged to a fighter in the ranks of “Qasd” who had fought battles against ISIS in the city of Raqqa earlier.
The observatory revealed that the transfer of Syrian mercenaries to Libya via Turkey is still ongoing, as the observatory monitored the arrival of new batches of fighters to Libya so as to fight alongside the Government of National Accord (GNA) after receiving training in Turkish camps.
It is believed that among these mercenaries are some fighters who had joined ISIS.
According to SOHR sources, pro-Ankara militias in Syria continue to recruit and send adolescents to fight in Libya.
The Observatory added that the number of foreign fighters in Libya had now reached 8,950, including non-Syrians. The number of recruits currently training in Turkish camps is estimated at around 3,300.
The SOHR monitored a rise in the number of deaths among Syrian fighters, as recorded the killing of 11 fighters, including a child under the age of 18, during the fighting.
The death toll among Syrian factions as a result of the military operations in Libya has reached 298 fighters, including 17 children under the age of 18.
The SOHR said that fierce clashes have recently been recorded between the Libyan National Army (LNA) forces and Syrian fighters aligned to the GNA on several frontlines in Libya.
The SOHR stated that the deaths come from the following Syrian armed groups: Al-Mu’tasim Division, Sultan Murad, Suqur Al-Shamal Brigade, Al-Hamzat, and Suleiman Shah.
The observatory had previously announced that there are approximately 150 children among the fighters who are between 16 and 18 years of age and are primarily found in the Sultan Murad faction.
According to reports, these child soldiers were recruited by the Sultan Murad militia in Syria due to their poor living conditions and were promised funds for their families.