Russia has created an air bridge with Libya. Planes fly to the Al-Khadim base

“We are witnessing the creation of a real air bridge between Russia and Libya,” we read in “Itamilradar.” In recent days, two Il-76TD aircraft, belonging to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, have been observed flying. These machines, often used in military missions, traveled several times between Russia and Libya.

According to Itamilradar, these flights were made possible by the open airspace above Turkeywhich is the only country NATO it has not closed its skies to Russian planes

Russia's increased activity in Libya indicates its interest in this region, especially after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. Moscow is investing in the development of the Al-Khadim base and is taking steps to create maritime infrastructure in Tobruk. Experts point out the key importance of these areas for Russian interests in North Africa and the Middle East.

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The Al-Khadim base is a key transit point for Russia. It is used to transfer equipment and workers to mines controlled by Wagner Group mercenaries in the Central African Republic. Additionally, it is used to export mined gold. This base also contains rooms where Russian soldiers are stationed. As found by the “AllEyesOnWagner” portal, Russia smuggles embargoed weapons from the base to Sudanwhich has been immersed in civil war for 18 months.

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At the same time, on Saturday, one of the Russian transport planes, which was previously stationed at the Humeimim air base in Latakia province in Syria, landed in Libya. A Syrian security official quoted by Reuters said that more Russian planes would be transferred to Libya in the coming days.

Officially, Russia declares that it is in talks with Syrian rebels and hopes to maintain its military bases in Syria. The authorities in the Kremlin claim that this is necessary to continue the fight against “international terrorism”. Bloomberg reported that Moscow is “close to an agreement” with the Syrian interim authorities and claims that it has already worked out an “informal” agreement that would allow it to keep both Middle Eastern bases.

While Russia is strengthening its position in the eastern part of Libya, the west of the country is controlled by General Khalifa Haftar, supported by it, and where power is exercised by the recognized UN Government of National Accord with Prime Minister Abd al-Hamid al-Dubaiba, a Russian was arrested. He was accused of actions that “harm public order and are aimed at corrupting Libyan youth.” He was also accused of “links with foreign armed groups active in Africa.”

Following the arrest, the Russian embassy in Libya warned its citizens against visiting the country, especially its western part, “for both private and tourist purposes.”