The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, a long-standing ally of Russia, has upended the Kremlin’s strategy across the Mediterranean and Africa. This shift is forcing Moscow to redirect its focus toward Libya as a potential new stronghold, according to experts.

The fall of Russian ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria has disrupted the Kremlin's strategy not only for the Mediterranean but also for Africa, pushing it to focus on Libya as a potential foothold, experts say.

Russia’s apparent fast-tracking of plans to establish a military hub in Libya could worsen that country’s protracted conflict.

This shift is forcing Moscow to redirect its focus toward Libya as a potential new stronghold, according to experts. Russia’s military operations in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa relied heavily on its bases along the

Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad were allegedly communicating before rebels took over the Syrian government in December.

NATO needs a stronger focus on the south and Africa, Italy's prime minister told a news conference on Thursday, saying Russia might boost its presence in eastern Libya after the collapse of its allied regime in Syria.

Turkish Airlines is resuming flights to the Syrian capital, Damascus (DAM), and to Benghazi (BEN), Libya’s second city, from its Istanbul (IST) hub. The two destinations had featured on Turkish Airlines’ network in the past but were discontinued due to the military and political situation in both countries.

PARIS: The fall of Russian ally Bashar Al Assad in Syria has disrupted the Kremlin’s strategy not only for the Mediterranean but also for Africa, pushing it to focus on Libya as a potential foothold, experts say.

Assad’s spectacular defenestration last December, he has joined a growing list of fallen Middle Eastern despots: Reza Pahlavi of Iran, Gaddafi of Libya, Mubarak of Egypt, Saleh of Yemen, and Ben Ali of Tunisia,

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underscored the need to grant Syria's new administration the opportunity to confront the issue of Kurdish militants operating within its borders. He emphasised that Turkish forces would not hesitate to act decisively should this matter remain unresolved.

Reliance on Russia’s military offerings has become increasingly prevalent in parts of Africa, amid an aggressive push by Moscow to lessen Western influence on the continent.

Awda's rising profile and growing ties with Arab states that oppose Syria's new Islamist rulers make him a threat?