Russia may try to replace Syria with Libya
Russia has relocated its air defense systems from Syria to bases in Libya controlled by commander Khalifa Haftar. This move may signal the Kremlin’s intention to replace its military bases in Syria with Libyan ones, though it does not fully compensate for the potential loss of Syrian bases.
▫️ Russia has been active in Libya through the remnants of the Wagner PMC, which cooperated with Haftar’s forces. Haftar’s Libyan National Army controls much of the country’s east. Previously, Russian officials discussed with Haftar agreements for the use of ports in Benghazi and Tobruk, located near Greece and Italy.
▫️ Haftar, in turn, requested air defense systems to solidify his control over the country, which remains divided by civil war.
▫️ Haftar is unlikely to push Russia out, as he relies on their support to protect himself against his rivals. However, Libyan bases cannot serve as a full-fledged replacement for those in Syria.
Russia has also sought a military presence in Sudan, but local authorities remain resistant.
