On 19 December, the Libyan National Army (LNA) undertook a pre-emptive attack, with air support, on forces under the command of Ibrahim Jadhran and the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) located at Sadada camp, near Bani Walid. The LNA claimed to have captured the location.
Following the clashes the Government of National Accords Central Military Zone force called for the LNA forces to leave the region immediately, giving them 24 hours to comply with the order. The LNA forces abided and withdrew their forces to their positions prior to the clashes. On 20 December, the Central Military Zone said it would move to secure all checkpoints and positions at its administrative borders in the central region.
On 22 December, the east-based Interim Government’s Interior Minister launched a new security plan to secure Benghazi while simultaneously declaring a state of high alert in the city due to the deteriorating security situation. According to a statement, the Interior Ministry’s security plan, which will be in place for three months, will have security forces encircle the main city entrances and see night patrols across the city.
On 18 December, four of the key militias in Tripoli announced that they had merged into a new group dubbed the “Tripoli Protection Force” (TPF). This new militia force is composed of: The Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade (TRB), Abu Salim Deterrence and Rapid Intervention Force, the Nawasi militia (8th Force), and the Bab Tajura Brigade. In the statement, the TPF stated that they had formed in response to military movements in the western region and rejected the use of power for political gains. The statement also supported efforts by UNSMIL and its envoy Ghassan Salame, adding that it endorsed the Libyan National Conference in January.