Public outrage over recruitment of Syrians to fight in Niger

SOHR reported that dozens of Hama people in the city of Afrin protested against the Turkish occupation state’s deployment of mercenaries from the “National Army” to fight in Niger alongside the Russians.

The people protested against the leaders of the “National Army” mercenaries responsible for this campaign, carrying slogans such as: “Why are you sending our sons to Niger to fight with the Russian who killed our people and our people?” And “Are you guardians of our children".

The Turkish occupation state continues to exploit the living conditions in the occupied territories of northern Syria, with the aim of recruiting more of its mercenaries to participate in military operations outside Syrian territory.

Turkish- held area in northwestern Syria witnessed clear popular dissatisfaction, after the circulation of video showing the ferocity of the battles in Niger, and others showing a group of Syrian mercenaries fighting in Niger alongside Turkey and Russia.

Fierce battles in Niger, 9 mercenaries killed

On May 8, the Observatory documented the killing of 5 Syrian mercenaries fighting with Turkey in Niger, bringing the total number killed to 9.

On May 9, private sources from within the occupied city of Sere Kaniye reported to ANHA agency that the “Hamzat, Sultan Murad, and Faylaq al-Rahman” mercenaries had opened registration within their deployment points in the occupied city and its countryside, for their mercenaries to fight in Niger, in exchange for 1,500 US dollars per month.

The Turkish occupation state sent two batches of mercenaries to Niger, their number reaching 550 mercenaries, according to various media reports.

On April 21, a batch of “National Army” mercenaries set off on board a transport plane that departed from one of the bases in Turkey, carrying on board 300 mercenaries from the “Sultan Suleiman Shah Division, the Hamza Division, and the Sultan Murad Division,” led by defected officer.

Turkish ambitions in Niger

Since the recent military coup in Niger, events have escalated rapidly amid great international attention that has not occurred in similar coups in other African countries, such as Burkina Faso and Mali, and it reflects what Niger represents in the conflict between the major powers competing for its resources and wealth.

Observers stated that although Turkey shares several agreements with Niger before the coup, they do not stipulate the deployment of soldiers on the ground or even the establishment of bases in Niger which explains the existence of Turkish ambitions to obtain a share of the ongoing conflict in the Rich  African country.

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ANHA