Syrian factions penalized by Turkey for refusing to move to Libya

Sara Rashad

Rifts are emerging between Turkey and the militias it supports in Syria. This comes against the background of rejection by some of these militias of Turkish orders for their members to move to Libya to fight alongside the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord.

According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Turkey had suspended financing to some of the factions that refused to send their members to Libya.

The factions refused to hand over lists of their members who could travel to Libya, the observatory said.

The al-Rahman Legion is the most outstanding militia rejecting Turkish demands in this regard, the observatory said.

This was why Turkey stopped paying the salaries of the fighters of the legion.

What is called the Syrian National Army, which is backed by Turkey, is responsible for the distribution of Turkish financial support to the factions fighting in Syria.

The army had been suspending the salaries of the members of the legion for two months now. The army also reduced the amounts of ammunitions and food it sends to the legion every month.

Al-Shameah Front is also suffering Turkish punishment for the same reason. A front commander posted a video recently, in which he complained against the suspension of salaries and attempts by the Turkish intelligence to disband his group.

These developments come as more Syrian mercenaries die in Libya. Videos have also appeared of some of these mercenaries advising militants operating in Syria against travelling to Libya, especially after Turkey did not honor its pledges to them, including in relation to protection and money.

Turkey has stepped up the transfer of Syrian mercenaries to Libya, the observatory said.

It said this came after Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar revoked the Skhirat agreement and accepted the mandate given him by the Libyan people to fight terrorism.