The Syrian government seems to be deploying Pantsir-S1 air defense systems to Libya to assist forces of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in their battle against the Turkish-controlled Government of National Accord.
An unusual Pantisr-S1 air defense system was for the first time spotted in Libya last week, when local activists released a video of a Libyan National Army convoy moving towards the port city of Sirte besieged by Turkish-led forces.
A spokesman for the GNA forces in the region, Brig. Abdul Hadi Draa, also said that the Pantsir-S1 systems and other weapons were deployed at the Sirte airport on July 11. One of the convoys moving towards the airport included the Pantsir-S1 system on the unusual KAMAZ-6560 8×8 chassis. Previously, all the Pantsir-S1 systems operated by the LNA were based on the German MAN SX 45 8×8 chassis. This variant was supplied by Russia to the UAE, which later supplied systems to the LNA.
Other discriminant marks of the filmed Pantsir-S1 were a desert yellow paint and the older passive electronically scanned array search radar. The only country in the Middle East that operates Pantsir-S1 systems with such specifications and supports the Libyan National Army is Syria.
Earlier in 2020, Syria officially established diplomatic ties with the House of Representatives, a democratically elected body that supports the Libyan National Army and manages the daily social and economic life in the territories controlled by it.
Damascus also sees the Libyan National Army and the House of Representatives as a natural ally because they also fight against the occupation of their country by Turkey.
In the last few weeks, Syrian Il-76 cargo planes made several unusual flights between Damascus International Airport and the al-Khadim Air Base in northeast Libya. The base is known to be hosting service members of the UAE that are involved in the assist and advice mission to support Haftar’s forces. The Pantsir-S1 system spotted on the road to Sirte may have been shipped from Syria to Libya during one of these flights.
At the same time, the Syrian government currently have good relations with Egypt, the UAE – the main backers of the Libyan National Army, and obviously with Russia – the producer of Pantsir-S1 systems and the country that provides background diplomatic support to the UAE-Egypt bloc in the conflict.
The Syrian Air Defense Forces operate dozens of Pantsir-S1 systems. Most of the Syrian systems are equipped with the advanced active electronically scanned array search radar. Therefore, Damascus may have opted to sell a part of its older systems to Haftar.
If this is confirmed, this move will likely allow Syria to improve its relations with the Libyan National Army, the UAE and Egypt, complicate Turkish plans to capture Srite, and last but not least strengthen the Syrian regional positions, which were significantly undermined by the ongoing war inside the country.
I heard the Pantsir’s in Libya were given to the LNA by the UAE. It would be unlikely for Syria to send Pantsirs to Libya given that they are limited in quantity and also highly strategic and badly needed for domestic defense, especially against Israeli airstrikes which happen fairly often. Syria doesn’t even have enough for their own purposes let alone enough to throw into Libya to make a difference.
If true, and this system has been sent, it will be Syria acting for Russia.
Russia is heavily involved in Libya, although by proxy mostly (but not totally) in the form of mercenaries and local militia groups and technological support in particular.
It would appear the big boys dont want to risk facing off against each other, hence the proxy fighting and “logistical” and “humanitarian” aid all sides (there are more than 2 sides in this) are providing to their proxies.
I saw unmarked Russian made jets being relocated from Syria to Libya earlier this too.
Turkey is an interesting one to watch. They are actually playing their hand very well (I smell US and UK involvement) in both Libya and Syria. Russia is acting as somewhat of a brake to thier ambitions so a warning or provocation of some sort from Turkey was expected.
This provocation came in a very unexpected and creative way – The Hagia Sofia issue.
This is a very significant provocation to Russia (whilst also being a ‘2 for’ provocation against Greece too).
So, as Russia continues to support its proxies in Libya, it is likely we will see all sorts of equipment transfered from Syria to Libya (Syria will have its equipment replaced) with whatever sides markings / colors scrubbed off the sides first.
Proxy of my proxy is my proxy.
Since Turkish proxies in Libya are Syrian I suppose Assad wants to eliminate them just as China wants Uighurs gone in Syria.
Quite why NATO accepts Turkey running amok across the region and threatening Greece is hard to fathom – but Ince only the US would ever fight for Turkey it is one for the November electorate
In 2011 Killary Clinton’s rat line sent weapons and jihadis from Libya to Syria via Turkey. Now Syria is sending jihadis (via Turkey) and weapons (via whoever) to Libya. Wheels turn, and so on and so forth.
Syria isn’t sending jihadis anywhere, having fought a nine-year war to rid themselves of such people. Neither are they friendly with Turkey, which is still occupying a large chunk of their country.
ad homiem removed … mod
Syrian (and other foreign) jihadis are being sent into Libya via the Erdogan regime. Also, there are some pro-Assad fighters fighting in Libya on the side of the LNA, mainly for the money. The huge sums they are paid to fight in Libya are very tempting, especially given that their home country, Syria, is under such tight sanctions. So the reality is there are Syrian mercenaries fighting for both the LNA and GNA. It is confusing, I know, but it is the reality of war. Mercenaries can always be hired by the highest bidder, and in a world with few economic prospects for most, it is not difficult to find such people willing to fight for money. Also, the former-SAA/NDF guys fighting for the LNA certainly have as much of a bone to pick with their jihadi rivals, who they have fought in Syria for the past 9 years, as anyone.
Proxy fighting now extended to Libya.
Where next?- India, Ukraine, Venezuela, ????
Hardly believable… Syrians would welcome loudly more Pantsirs in their soil… sending them to Lybia… quite strange. On the other hand, doing so would attract Turkey fire in Syria self, not that they ever stopped breaking the balls there but to send pantsirs would be open provocation. Is Assad interested on it?