The number of Turkish-backed Syrian militants who were killed fighting for the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya has risen to 117, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) revealed in a report on March 7.
According to the London-based monitoring group, the slain militants fought in the ranks of the Mu’tasim Division, the Sultan Murad Division, the Northern Hawks Brigade, the Hamza Division and Suleiman Shah Brigade. These groups are all members of the so-called Syrian National Army (SNA).
The slain fighters were killed during clashes on the axes of Salah Al-Din neighborhood south of Tripoli, the Ramla axis near Tripoli airport in addition to the axis of the Hadaba project and other areas in Libya,” the SOHR said in its report, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The monitoring group said that many other Turkish-backed militants were injured while fighting in Libya. Wounded Syrian militants are reportedly receiving treatment in three medical centers known as al-Mashtal clinic, al-Kaddour clinic, and al-Shaal Ghout clinic.
The current of number of Syrian militants in Libya is around 4750. All of them were transported from Turkey over the last few months as a part of Ankara’s efforts to support the GNA. A least 150 of these militants escaped their Turkish commanders in Libya to seek refuge in Europe.
The Turkish military intervention in Libya allowed pro-GNA forces to hold onto their remaining positions around the capital, Tripoli. However, the Libyan National Army (LNA) still has the upper hand in the battle across the country.
