Arab newspapers: Russia reaches Syrian-Iraqi borders; Turkey provokes world in Libya

Today, Arab newspapers reported on the deployment of Russian forces on the Syrian-Iraqi borders, in addition to the Turkish intervention in Somalia and Libya.

Pro-Russian groups deployed in the countryside of Albukamal

To begin with the Syrian issue, in this context, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper said: “Factions loyal to Moscow entered the countryside of Albu Kamal in the Deir Ezzor Governorate in eastern Syria, in the first military arrival from Russia to the Iraqi borders since the direct intervention at the end of 2015.”

The "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights" reported yesterday "the Russian-backed Fifth Corps began to deploy within several border points near Albu Kamal district, east of Deir Ezzor Governorate." He revealed that it “took over some sites from the pro-Iranian militias,” including “Harakat al-Nujaba”, “Iraqi Hezbollah” and “Al-Abdal”, following an agreement between Moscow and Tehran that was not completely clear. The sources confirmed that a week ago, Russian forces had opened headquarters in the city of Albu Kamal, which is under the control of Iranian militias.

In a related context, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed with his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Al-Miqdad, in Moscow yesterday, mechanisms for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and implementing previous agreements.

"Erdogan provokes the world in Libya"

Regarding the Libyan issue, Al-Bayan newspaper said: “Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will face the world on the territory of Libya if he tries to keep his forces and mercenaries there, as his decision to extend the presence of his military tools in Libya for another 18 months will be considered a challenge to UN decisions and international efforts, Geneva Accord, the outcomes of the Berlin Conference and the Cairo Declaration, and the results of the Libyan National Dialogue are striking.

Observers believe that the Turkish regime dances the dance of the slaughtered rooster, in its attempt to challenge the international will, and pushes itself to more isolation, especially at the regional level, considering that its decision to continue the presence of its forces and mercenaries in Libya is the result of stubbornness that will make it pay a high price, especially since it no longer has a reliable friend in the Arab region and Europe.

Observers expressed their surprise at Erdogan's presentation of his decision to extend his country's military presence in Libya to the Turkish Parliament, while the memorandum of understanding concluded between it and the President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord in Tripoli, Faiz Al-Sarraj, is still rejected by the Libyan Parliament.

Libyan military sources warned of a Turkish plan to push the militias to violate the ceasefire agreement and launch an attack on the army, and thus to overthrow the military agreement and bet on spreading chaos, to justify the presence of Erdogan's forces and mercenaries in the country, which seems likely in the coming days, in light of the continued militia provocations and threats issued GNA Defense Minister Salah El-Din Al-Nimroush, who is known to be close to Ankara, to withdraw from the Geneva Accord.

"The Turkish eye on Somalia"

Regarding the Turkish moves in Somalia, Al-Arab newspaper said: “Turkey’s sending of a large amount of weapons to Mogadishu, which is experiencing intense political quarrels due to the postponement of the elections, and the fear of the Somali opposition, which did not rule out the use of these weapons by President Muhammad Abdullah Muhammad, an ally of Ankara, to suppress his opponents and rigging the results of the upcoming elections.

The Somali opposition said that it had sent a message to Turkey urging it not to send a planned shipment of weapons to a special police unit, while Somalia is witnessing great political tension fueled by the anger of the opposition, which organized, on Tuesday, an anti-president rally in the capital, Mogadishu, due to the postponement of the parliamentary elections.

The elections were initially scheduled to be held this month, but this plan was canceled after disagreements over the formation of the election commission.

J.O