Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Russia Relocates S-400s and S-300s from Syria to Libya’s Eastern Region

Daniel Kim Views  

Satellite images released by Maxar Technologies on Tuesday show Russian military vehicles at the port of Tartus, Syria. / Yonhap News
Satellite images released by Maxar Technologies on Tuesday show Russian military vehicles at the port of Tartus, Syria. / Yonhap News

Reports have emerged that Russia is transferring advanced air defense systems and military equipment from its military base in Syria to Libya.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) cited U.S. officials on Wednesday. The Russian military recently loaded S-400 and S-300 radar equipment onto transport planes and moved them to eastern Libya. Russian forces are also relocating personnel, military aircraft, and logistical equipment.

The eastern region of Libya, where Russia is moving its military equipment, is controlled by Khalifa Haftar, a Libyan warlord closely aligned with Russia. This has led to speculation that as the pro-Russian Bashar al-Assad regime collapses, Russia may relocate its Mediterranean military base in Syria to Libya. Russia has already been using the Wagner Group, a private military company, to leverage Libya as a transit hub to the African continent.

For years, Russia has operated naval and air bases in Syria as part of its support for the Assad regime. These military installations have served as a hub for Russia to bolster its influence in the Middle East and Africa. The Russian naval base in Tartus, Syria, was the only facility for the Russian Navy to resupply and repair ships in the Mediterranean.

Reports indicate that Russia has been discussing long-term leasing options for ports in eastern Libya, such as Benghazi or Tobruk, since last year after meeting with Haftar. Benghazi is approximately 400 miles (643 kilometers) from Greece and Italy. U.S. military authorities believe Russia is considering expanding facilities at Tobruk to dock its warships.

Libya has been in turmoil since the 2011 uprising that led to the assassination of Muammar Gaddafi, resulting in a division between the eastern and western parts of the country and ongoing power struggles. Haftar has sought air defense supplies from Russia to consolidate control over the fragmented nation.

Experts caution that it remains uncertain whether Russia will ultimately transfer the weapons and military equipment from its Syrian bases to Libya. Haftar is likely to face intense pressure from the U.S. and Western nations to refrain from allowing the expansion of Russian military bases.

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[WORLD] Latest Stories

  • China Targets U.S. Tech Industry with Rare Earth Export Freeze
  • Porsche Taycan GTS Breaks Guinness Record with 10.9-Mile Ice Drift
  • Africa's MPOX Variant Clade 1b Reaches France: Health Officials Take Action
  • LA Wildfires’ Economic Toll Hits $50 Billion, Doubling Early Estimates
  • Real Reason Trump Wants Greenland and the Panama Canal: Geopolitical Dominance
  • Biden Targets China, Russia with New Semiconductor Export Limits

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Neck Wrinkles Giving You Away? Here’s How to Smooth Things Out

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Pfizer Ends Obesity Drug Trial After Liver Risk Emerges

    LATEST 

  • 3
    Real Teeth, Grown in a Lab? Scientists Say It’s Closer Than You Think

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Truth About Carbs and Kids: Why Balance Is Everything

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Scabies in the Dorms? Here’s How Fast It Can Spread

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Drank Last Night? Here's Why Skipping the Gym Might Be Smarter

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Think Twice Before Adding Water to Your Shampoo Bottle—Here’s Why

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Can Balancing Blood Sugar Help You Lose Weight? Here's Why it Matters

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Scientists Find Brain Switch That Could Help Reverse Memory Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Hugh Jackman Did It for Wolverine. Can You Do It for Your Waistline?

    LIFESTYLE 

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Neck Wrinkles Giving You Away? Here’s How to Smooth Things Out

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Pfizer Ends Obesity Drug Trial After Liver Risk Emerges

    LATEST 

  • 3
    Real Teeth, Grown in a Lab? Scientists Say It’s Closer Than You Think

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Truth About Carbs and Kids: Why Balance Is Everything

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Scabies in the Dorms? Here’s How Fast It Can Spread

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Drank Last Night? Here's Why Skipping the Gym Might Be Smarter

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Think Twice Before Adding Water to Your Shampoo Bottle—Here’s Why

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Can Balancing Blood Sugar Help You Lose Weight? Here's Why it Matters

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Scientists Find Brain Switch That Could Help Reverse Memory Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Hugh Jackman Did It for Wolverine. Can You Do It for Your Waistline?

    LIFESTYLE 

Share it on...