11 – 17 March: Build-up of forces on the Abu Grein frontline

Mar 18, 2020 | Libyan actors

Throughout the last week, there appears to have been a build-up of forces on the Abu Grein frontline, south of Misrata. On 10 and 15 March, there were a series of clashes between Libyan National Army (LNA) forces and anti-LNA forces in Abu Grein. On 13 March, the LNA undertook as many as ten aerial attacks on anti-LNA forces stationed near Hayshah. On 15 March, LNA reinforcements arrived at al-Washka near Sirte.

On 8 March, the Misratan frontline field commander on the Salahadeen axis in southern Tripoli, Mohammed Arfidah, was killed by members of an unidentified Tripoli-based armed group. On 10 March, a member of the Nawasi Brigade, Munir al-Dabeh, was killed. It has been suggested that his death was in retribution for the killing of Arfidah.

On 10 January, the Government of National Accord’s (GNA) Western Military Region Commander, Usama Juwaili, deployed to Majabra in what has been reported to be an attempt create a military camp at Kabaw in the Nafousa Mountains.  Reports claim the purpose of the camp will be to support and host foreign fighters (likely Turkish or Syrian). This coincides with reports that the LNA has mobilised forces via Mizda to defend the Watiya airbase, including foreign fighters.