The American Soufan Research Center has stated that regional and international powers are working with competing governments in Libya to achieve their own interests and that Russia is using its relations with Haftar to expand its influence in Africa.
The Center added in a report that Moscow deploys about 800 fighters in Libya, manning three air bases in Sirte, Al-Jufra, and Brak Al-Shati.
Soufan indicated that the presence of Russian fighters in Libya has strengthened Haftar’s military influence, which he can exploit to confront his opponents in Tripoli.
The Soufan Center pointed out that Russia enabled Haftar to influence the course of the war in Sudan, as he allowed the use of the military bases under his control to ship weapons to the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamad Dagalo, according to the center.
