In the vast expanses of the Libyan desert, where alliances shift like sand dunes, new developments have emerged involving the “Paths of Peace” battalion, a unit loyal to retired General Khalifa Haftar and allied with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Open- source intelligence (OSINT) platform Eekad Facts, the Arab region’s first dedicated OSINT outlet, has uncovered evidence of a Colombian mercenary operating within a military base near Kufra Airport.
This revelation coincides with rapid infrastructural expansions at the site, timed with RSF’s recent military gains in Sudan.Eekad Facts’ investigation began by monitoring social media networks linked to the RSF and the “Paths of Peace” battalion, which previously fought alongside the RSF in the Libya-Sudan border triangle. Analysts identified a social media account belonging to Jorge Luis Silvestre Ardila, a Colombian who posted photos in August 2025 from a location in Libya, explicitly affiliating himself with the battalion.
Ardila, from Socorro in Colombia’s Santander department, has a military background, having served in paratrooper and special forces units of the Colombian army. He also worked as a paramedic at the Manuela Beltrán Regional Hospital in Socorro, a civilian facility with ties to Colombia’s Ministry of Defense, suggesting possible ongoing military connections.
Further analysis of his Facebook activity revealed an unusually high number of follows on Sudanese accounts, disproportionate for a Colombian national.Geolocation of Ardila’s photos matched them to the “Paths of Peace” base, approximately 10 kilometers east of Kufra Airport in southern Libya. This site was previously documented by the OSINT platform Sleaks as a hub for the battalion. The presence of Colombian mercenaries like Ardila aligns with reports of their growing role in Sudan’s conflict, where they leverage experience from Colombia’s decades-long fight against groups like FARC in irregular warfare.
Beyond the human element, Eekad Facts reviewed Sentinel Hub satellite imagery from January to November 2025, revealing intensified operational activity at the base. Construction of what appear to be new warehouses began in late May, aligning with the RSF’s seizure of the Libya-Sudan border triangle. Continuous vehicle and equipment movements suggest supplies are being funneled to RSF forces.From early October, imagery showed road paving and additional facility construction. Lower-resolution images indicated unusual activity, including the arrival and dispersal of dozens of vehicles. Higher-clarity Bing Maps photos confirmed accumulations of pickup trucks resembling those used in Sudan’s ongoing war, positioning the base as a key assembly and distribution point.
This period also saw a spike in military cargo flights to Kufra Airport, under the battalion’s control, with around 20 aircraft arrivals since October. This activity parallels developments at Maaten al-Sarra Airport, about 315 kilometers from Kufra, believed to be linked to the “African Legion” and undergoing upgrades for operational readiness.These timelines correlate with RSF’s battlefield successes, including the capture of El Fasher and the tightening siege on Babnusa in West Kordofan. Given Ardila’s medical expertise, analysts speculate the base may evolve beyond mere military resupply into a comprehensive logistical and medical hub.
The findings highlight the escalating involvement of Colombian mercenaries with the RSF, a trend documented in recent months. In August 2025, armed forces in El Fasher reported killing a Colombian commander among over 80 mercenaries, with leaked footage showing their roles in drone operations and training.This influx reflects a “privatization of war,” where Colombian veterans, facing limited opportunities at home, are drawn to lucrative contracts abroad. However, it has come at a cost, with multiple casualties reported in clashes against the Sudanese army.
The “Paths of Peace” base’s expansions underscore deepening ties between Haftar’s forces and the RSF, potentially funneling arms, vehicles, and personnel across borders. Such activities raise concerns about regional stability, with Libya serving as a conduit for foreign fighters into Sudan’s civil war.
Eekad Facts’ analysis paints a picture of accelerated militarization in eastern Libya, synchronized with RSF advances. As the Colombian government urges its citizens to return home, the financial incentives of mercenary work persist. These cross-border networks demand heightened international monitoring to curb the flow of mercenaries and weapons, preventing further escalation in an already volatile region.
With war increasingly commodified, attracting combatants from distant lands, the developments near Kufra signal potential for broader instability. As RSF presses its offensives, the international community must address these shadowy alliances to foster lasting peace.
