 reported.){kind=link}
Turkish authorities have reportedly relinquished control of Syrian mercenaries, including their top commanders, to Russian military forces in Niger, igniting discontent and claims of betrayal among the ranks, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported.
According to the SOHR, this abrupt transfer involved members of the Syrian National Army from Turkish barracks in Africa to the Russian command.
The mercenaries, who were initially contracted to protect Turkish interests, are now facing combat engagements against the Islamic State and al-Qaeda in Burkina Faso and Niger without their consent.
SOHR sources said this handover not only violated the terms of the six-month contracts signed by these fighters but has also undermined their trust and morale. In response, commanders have reportedly issued warnings via text messages to their colleagues in Syria, advising them against deployment to Africa, which they now describe as a “prison” for fighters.
The SOHR has previously warned against the implications of deploying Syrian nationals as mercenaries abroad, emphasizing the potential for further destabilization of Syria and threats to the future of its people. This recent development seems to validate these concerns, as it places the mercenaries in unexpected and highly dangerous combat roles, exacerbating their predicament.
Furthermore, earlier reports from the observatory indicated that approximately 1,100 Syrian fighters were misled about their roles, believing they would be guarding oil institutions and military bases, rather than engaging in frontline combat in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.
This situation has reportedly increased frustration among the mercenaries, with many now holding Turkish authorities accountable for their current predicament and demanding to return back to Syrian territory.
The mercenaries’ future, now under Russian control, remains uncertain as they have been fighting in back in Syria against the Russian-backed regime of President Bashar Al-Assad.
Syria’s ongoing civil war has devastated the economy, leading to scarce employment opportunities outside of military involvement.
The allure of a stable income through contracts with private military companies is a significant pull for many young men. These contracts often promise salaries far exceeding what can be earned within the war-torn regions of Syria.
However, the conditions and reality of these deployments are frequently different from what is promised, exposing mercenaries to extreme risks without adequate support.