Haftar hands over air base to Russia

Haftar hands over air base to Russia

Libya's prominent military leader Khalifa Haftar has taken a strategic step that could further strengthen Russian influence in Africa. Haftar has reportedly handed over the Maaten al-Sarra air base, located near the border with Chad and Sudan, to Russian forces.

The decision was made to create a key logistics hub for Russia's military operations in the Sahel region. The Maaten al-Sarra base was actively used in the Libyan-Chadian war in the 1980s, but is now being rebuilt by Russian forces and supporters of the Assad regime.

The base is currently undergoing modernization. Runways and storage facilities are being rebuilt, which will improve the ability to deliver military supplies to countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Sudan. Expanding its sphere of influence in Africa remains part of Russia's new strategy, following its military failures in Syria.

It is worth noting that Russia currently operates the following four important air bases in Libya:

Al-Khadim (in the east);

Al-Jufra (center);

Brak al-Shati (in the southwest);

Al-Qardabiya (in the Sirte area).