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Turkey dispatches some 300 allied Takfiri militants from Syria to Libya: SOHR

Saturday, 11 April 2020 3:18 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 11 April 2020 3:18 PM ]

Turkish-backed Takfiri militants are seen in the town of Saraqib in the eastern part of Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib on February 27, 2020. (Photo by AFP)

Turkey has reportedly sent new batches of allied Takfiri militants from Syria to Libya, following a bill passed by the parliament earlier this year that allows the Ankara government to deploy forces to the North African country to intervene in the civil war.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, citing sources requesting not to be named, reported on Saturday that nearly 300 members of the so-called Sultan Murad Division, Northern Falcons Brigade and the Sham Legion militant groups arrived in Libya the previous day.

Libya rebels claim to have downed two Turkish drones

Rebel militia under the command of Libya’s renegade general Khalifa Haftar claim to have shot down two Turkish drones in the skies over the North African country.

The Observatory added that a batch of at least 150 Takfiris from the Sultan Murad Division had been transported by Turkish buses in the past few days from Syria's northwestern city of Afrin to the border with Turkey.

Another batch, consisting of tens of Takfiri recruits from Jarabulus and al-Bab cities, were moved to Hawar Kellis border region as well.

Some 200 Turkish-backed militants flee crisis-hit Libya to Europe: SOHR

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says some 200 Turkish-backed militants, who have been transported from Syria to Libya, have fled to Europe.

The Britain-based war monitor highlighted that Turkey has so far sent approximately 5,050 allied Takfiri militants from Syria to Libya, and nearly 1,950 others are currently receiving military training in Turkey in order to be sent to the war-ravaged North African country.

Libya plunged into chaos in 2011, when a popular uprising and a NATO intervention led to the ouster of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi and his execution by unruly fighters.

Russia says Turkey helping foreign militants enter Libya

Russia says Turkey is helping foreign militants cross into Libya, where rebel forces are attempting to unseat the internationally-recognized government.

The North African country has since been split between two rival administrations based in the east and west amid a conflict drawing increasing involvement from foreign powers.

According to the latest UN tally, more than 280 civilians and roughly 2,000 fighters have been killed since self-styled commander Khalifa Haftar launched his offensive in April to seize Tripoli. An estimated 146,000 Libyans have been displaced.

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