The brutal fall of the regime Bachar el-Assad in Syriaprovoked by the victorious offensive of the brigades Hayat Tahrir Al-Cham (HTC)forced the Russia to hastily evacuate its strategic military bases in the country. This major loss for Moscow, which had invested massively in naval and air infrastructure in Syrian territory in exchange for its support for the deposed leader, is now pushing the Kremlin to rethink its Mediterranean strategy. Vladimir Poutine notably confirmed the withdrawal of 4,000 Iranian fighters during this evacuation, carried out at the request of Tehran.
Strategic deployment of defense systems
Russian air defense systems S-400 and S-300accompanied by their ultra-modern radars, are now strengthening the military arsenal of eastern Libya. This sophisticated equipment transforms the defensive capacity of the territories controlled by the marshal Khalifa Haftar. The Wagner group, now officially attached to the Russian Ministry of Defense, multiplies its operations from these bases. Satellite data and aerial observations demonstrate an intensification of Russian aircraft rotations between these Libyan installations and several sub-Saharan African countries, underlining the central role of this new military device.
A new Russian maritime architecture
Russian naval ambition is taking shape on the Libyan Mediterranean coast. The ports of Tobruk and Benghazi constitute the centerpieces of this maritime strategy. Their modernization and use by the Russian fleet would allow Moscow to project its naval power into the heart of the Mediterranean. This port configuration, located in the immediate vicinity of the European coasts, offers a major tactical advantage. The marshal Haftarseeking protection against armed groups supported by the Türkiyefinds in this military cooperation a double interest: strengthen its air defense and benefit from substantial naval support.
The reorganization of forces in the Mediterranean
This Russian military establishment in Libya profoundly changes the balance of forces in the central Mediterranean. The Libyan bases are becoming an essential link in the Russian military system, making it possible to maintain an active presence in the region. The logistics platforms established in Libyan territory now serve as a support point for Russian operations towards the African continent. This strategic reconfiguration creates a new military center of gravity on the southern borders of l’Europesignificantly strengthening Russian influence in this sensitive area of the Mediterranean.
