Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Agency said on January 3 that two cargo ships, Sparta and Sparta II, were heading to the port of Tartus in Syria, expected to transport weapons and equipment of the Russian military to Libya. The Ukrainian side also informed that three other ships, including amphibious ships and oil tankers, will also visit Tartus port in the next few days, according to Business Insider.
Russian warships present at Tartus port, Syria on December 5, 2024
PHOTO: MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES
Previously, CNN on January 1 quoted well-informed sources as saying that Russian transport planes in December 2024 landed in Libya with significantly increased frequency, especially after the government of former Syrian President Bashar al- Assad was overthrown. Russia has not commented on the above information.
Tartus naval base and Hmeimim air base in Syria were rented by Russia to garrison, allowing Moscow to directly deploy forces to the Mediterranean, thereby maintaining its presence in this area. However, the ouster of ally Mr. al-Assad raises questions about Russia’s upcoming activities in Syria. The new government leader in Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa said: “We do not want Russia to leave Syria in a way that weakens relations between the two countries.”
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In that context, Libya, a North African country bordering the Mediterranean, is said to be an alternative for Russia to station forces there. According to a report by the Atlantic Council research organization (USA) in July 2024, Libya is the main center for Russia to conduct activities in Africa.
“Strategically located in the corridor between Africa and Europe, Libya provides Russia with a gateway to deploy operations in Sudan, Chad, Niger, the Sahel countries and Central Africa,” the report said. paragraph.
