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Turkey Deploys 2,000 Syrian Fighters to Libya to Support Islamist Government
(Guardian-UK) Bethan McKernan - Two thousand Syrian fighters have traveled from Turkey to fight in Libya on behalf of the Tripoli government of Fyez al-Sarraj. An initial deployment of 300 men from the Syrian National Army (SNA), an umbrella of Syrian rebel groups funded by Turkey, left Syria on Dec. 24, followed by 350 more on Dec. 29. They were flown to Tripoli, where they have been posted to frontline positions. Another 1,350 men crossed into Turkey on Jan. 5. SNA sources said the fighters will earn 1,500 pounds a month, compared to the 52-72 pounds a month they earned in Syria. All have been promised Turkish nationality as well. Last month, the Guardian reported that 3,000 Sudanese had been sent to Benghazi to fight for rebel leader Khalifa Haftar, joining 600 Russian mercenaries.