American analytical institution Jamestown Foundation has been observing systematic work to restore a network of airfields in the part of Libya controlled by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar's forces. These airfields play a crucial role in supporting the operations of the russian mercenaries in Africa.
The most recent development is the rehabilitation of an airbase near Matan al-Sarra on the border with Chad, abandoned since 2011. It is located in an important staging point for controlling the traffic of migrants from Africa to Europe and to support operations in Sudan.
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The restoration began in December 2024, in addition to russian personnel, it involved Syrian contractors and troops. This airbase will most likely be utilized as a refueling stop for transport aircraft heading deep into the African continent to support the operations of the russian defense ministry's African Corps.
The climatic conditions in this area are extreme: the temperature won't drop below 32°C for six months in a year with nearly zero precipitation. Interestingly, since 2011 this area has been guarded by a battalion commanded by one of Haftar’s sons, suggesting that the restoration of the air base near Matan al-Sarra is taking place as part of an agreement between the Libyan warlord and the Kremlin.
In this context, it is worth recalling that in 2020, russia supplied Libya with at least 14 MiG-29 and Su-24 aircraft. The authors of the Jamestown Foundation assume that Field Marshal Haftar may now request more modern russian-made equipment and weapons in exchange for continued cooperation.
To establish its control over the Libyan air base in Matan al-Sarra, the russian military probably had to secure favorable relations with both the local black nomadic tribe of the Tubu, who hold at least 450 square kilometers of territory, and with their rivals, an Arab tribe of the Zuwaya.
The territory under the Tubu tribe is important for russians to continue gold mining in the Sudanese region of Darfur while spreading its influence to the neighboring country of Chad at the same time.
There is also an interesting historical detail: it was from the airbase at Matan al-Sarra where Haftar, as a military leader under Muammar Gaddafi, launched his unsuccessful offensive against Chad in 1989, only to defect to the United States in 1990 and hand over some important secrets related to Soviet-style weapons. Haftar returned to Libya in 2011 after the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime and sided with Moscow.
Libyan Arab Air Force Su-24MK Fencer. Libya purchased 5 Su-24MK and 1 Su-24MR in 1989. These were operated at Ghardabiya AB which was the home base of the 1124th and 1st Fighter Bomber SQ. Unfortunately all Libyan Su-24s were destroyed in 2011 during the Libyan Civil War. https://t.co/6NXyCdxc8g— SK79 (@StefanKnippsch3) December 18, 2020
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