The Egyptian Presidential Advisor on religious affairs, Dr. Osama Sayyid Al-Azhari, denounced Turkey for its transportation of Syrian mercenaries to Libya. He stated that this has turned the country into a safehaven for terrorists.
In televised statements, Al-Azhari added that Libya is suffering from a major power vacuum. He expressed his distress due to the deteriorating situation being experienced by many Arab societies. He further noted that over the last decade, the entire region has gone through a series of disastrous crises.
With regard to Iraq, Al-Azhari pointed out that its wars with Iran, Kuwait, and the US. have led to severe hardships, devastation, and destruction of both the country and people.
According to statistics by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the number of mercenaries transferred to Libya, is approximately 18,000. This includes 350 minors, under the age of 18.
In a statement, the SOHR reported that a new batch, estimated at 450 mercenaries recently returned to Syria, after the end of their contracts. They fought alongside the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) forces, against the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA).