Continuation of the transfer of Syrian fighters to Libya under Turkish supervision amid livelihood motives and legal criticism

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the process of transferring Syrian fighters to Libya, which it says Turkey supervises, is still ongoing, noting that the number of those who have arrived in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, has risen to about 2400 fighters so far.

The Observatory explained that about 1700 other recruits have arrived at camps inside Turkish territory to receive training before being transferred to Libya, amid the continuation of recruitment operations in the areas of Afrin, “Euphrates Shield,” and northeastern Syria.

According to the Observatory, the fighters belong to factions affiliated with what is known as the “Syrian National Army,” including the “Al-Mu’tasim Brigade,” the “Sultan Murad Division,” the “Northern Falcons Brigade,” the “Hamzat Division,” the “Sham Legion,” the “Suleiman Shah Brigade,” and the “Samarkand Brigade.”

The Observatory indicated information stating that Ankara is seeking to recruit about 6000 Syrian fighters to fight in Libya, adding that it may make adjustments to the financial benefits and conditions of volunteering after reaching this number.

In a related context, the Observatory said it documented the killing of 24 Syrian fighters in the ongoing battles in Tripoli, belonging to a number of the aforementioned factions, with the continued arrival of the bodies of the dead to Syria.

Livelihood motives
The Observatory quoted one of the fighters displaced to Idlib, and wishing to head to Libya, as saying that the main motive for volunteering is the financial compensation, noting that the difficult living conditions and low salaries in northern Syria push many young men to accept the offer.

According to the Observatory, the majority of the volunteers are displaced persons from areas of central Syria and the countryside of Damascus to Afrin and Idlib, in addition to others from the countryside of Aleppo, amid deteriorating economic conditions.

Video clips and statements
The Observatory also pointed to the circulation of a video clip showing a number of fighters while heading to Libya aboard Turkish aircraft. It mentioned that the majority of those who appeared in the recording are among those displaced to northern Syria.

Meanwhile, Turkish media circulated statements by a leader in the “Syrian National Army” in which he confirmed the sending of fighters to Libya, considering that they are “ready to go anywhere.”

Legal framework
The Observatory pointed out that the recruitment of mercenaries constitutes a crime under the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries, issued by the United Nations in 1989.