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 runs a military port and an air base on the Syrian coast, designed to facilitate its operations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa, especially the Sahel, Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

However, this model is in jeopardy with the abrupt departure of the Syrian ruler.

Although Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has called Russia an "important country", saying "we do not want Russia to leave Syria in the way that some wish", the reshuffling of cards in Syria is pushing Russia to seek a strategic retreat towards Libya.

In Libya, Russian mercenaries already support Khalifa Haftar, a field marshal controlling the east of the country, against the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) which has UN recognition and is supported by Turkey.

"The goal is notably to preserve the ongoing Russian missions in Africa," said Jalel Harchaoui at the RUSI think tank in the UK.

"It's a self-preservation........

© Al Monitor