Turkey, backed by Qatar, scrambles efforts to move mercenaries from Libya to Afghanistan: Report

 In a significant development, reports have emerged stating that Turkey is shifting Syrian fighters from Libya and Azerbaijan to Afghanistan with the support of the Qatari establishment. The development has come in line with the recent agreement signed by Turkey and Qatar with the Taliban group in Afghanistan for the management of the Kabul international airport and four other airports in the landlocked country. 

Amid international pressure, Ankara is scrambling efforts to move foreign fighters out of Libya. In addition, Turkey’s efforts to move mercenaries from Libya and Azerbaijan to Afghanistan are stimulated by the recent changes in Turkey's foreign policy in the Middle East.

Earlier this month, the Libyan 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) held a meeting with Turkish Defense officials in Ankara in the presence of a delegation from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). According to reports, JMC members asked Turkey to withdraw foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya to preserve the Libyan sovereignty. The meeting came in line with the signing of the comprehensive action plan by Libyan JMC on October 8. Besides the United Nations, the US, France, the UK, Italy, and Germany have extended support to Libyan JMC's comprehensive Action Plan for the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign forces from Libyan territory.

In view of the increasing international pressure, Turkey deflected to ally Qatar for help to move the foreign mercenaries out of Libya. Media reports have indicated that Turkey and Qatar are working closely to manage and operate Kabul Airport to facilitate the transportation of loyal Syrian fighters and other foreign forces out of Libya and Azerbaijan towards Afghanistan.

Last year, Turkey had sent Syrian fighters to Azerbaijan to support Azerbaijani forces during clashes with Armenia over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. 

At the same time, Turkey deployed thousands of Syrian fighters in Libya as part of its agreement with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) to fight the forces led by General Khalifa Hafta. However, after the implementation of a ceasefire in the region, the international institutions had been calling on Turkey to remove foreign forces from Libya. 

"There has been an increasing realization that Turkey was building up its presence on the Mediterranean in Libya," a political expert said, as quoted by reports.