TRIPOLI, Jan 15 (AGCNewsNet) - Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar has authorized Russian forces to establish a significant military presence at the Maaten Al Sarra base, located on the border with Chad and Sudan, marking a further expansion of Russia’s influence in Africa.

According to Italian news agency Nova, the base, once used during the Libyan-Chadian War of the 1980s, is now the center of a major Russian operation aimed at solidifying control over the Sahel region, a critical area in Moscow's geopolitical strategy. This development comes shortly after Russia repositioned itself in Africa following its retreat from Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

In December 2024, Russian forces deployed a contingent of Syrian soldiers to restore the Maaten Al Sarra base, which is now being converted into a major logistics hub for Russian military operations across Africa. This base will support operations in Mali, Burkina Faso, and potentially Sudan, serving as a supply point for Russia’s growing African military footprint.

The re-establishment of the base also includes extensive repairs to infrastructure, such as runways and storage facilities, by Russian technicians collaborating with Syrian forces. The base is set to function as a crucial center for Russian operations in the region, facilitating the flow of supplies to coastal areas.

The operation also includes efforts to strengthen Russia's relations with southern Libyan tribes. These tribes have been crucial in facilitating Moscow's military presence and have helped secure strategic locations. Additionally, Russian forces have distanced themselves from Sudanese paramilitary leader Hemedti’s Rapid Support Forces, opting instead to form closer ties with Sudanese Army commander Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.

A military convoy from the Tariq bin Ziyad Battalion, aligned with Haftar’s forces, recently moved toward the Al-Sara base to secure the area and protect vital routes leading into Sudan.

The Maaten Al Sarra base is one of several key Russian airbases in Libya. Other important facilities include Al-Khadim in the east, Al-Jufra in central Libya, Brak Al-Shati in the southwest, and Al-Qardabiya in Sirte. These bases are central to Russia's growing military operations across the African continent, which have been bolstered by its strategic partnerships with local forces and tribes. As Russia extends its presence in Africa, it continues to deepen its influence, especially in regions that are critical to its ambitions for regional dominance.

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