The Government of National Unity (GNU) and pro-Dabaiba forces have ramped up their pressure against Rada, demanding they hand over Mitiga Airport.
The same day (27 August), the Joint Operations Room of the Ministry of Defense issued a ‘final warning’ to the Special Deterrence Force (Rada), demanding they hand over Mitiga Airport and a number of wanted individuals.
On 29 August, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) allegedly gave an ultimatum to Rada to hand over some wanted persons within 48 hours (by the morning of 31 August). Other sources said the reports of a 48-hour ultimatum to Rada were false.
In a meeting the same day between leaders of Rada and notables from Souq al-Jumaa (Rada’s stronghold), it was emphasized that they stand united against any aggression against one of them. They reaffirmed their rejection of handing over Mitiga to any force coming from outside Tripoli. Rada will remain at the Mitiga base and will not leave it. The representatives of Souq al-Jumaa said it considered Rada to be the best official security apparatus in Tripoli, given its significant role in combating drug dealers, criminals, and dangerous terrorists of various nationalities, and protecting the capital from slipping into chaos.
Later in the evening, a spokesperson for Rada denied that an agreement was concluded with the GNU, contrary to what some are claiming in the media.
In the evening of 30 August, PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba and Presidential Council (PC) head Muhammed al-Menfi met at the Dabaiba villa in Hay Andalus to discuss the escalating security tensions in Tripoli. The meeting, which followed Rada’s rejection of government demands, concluded without any binding agreement. Sources from the PC stated that al-Menfi explicitly warned the PM against starting a war in the capital.
On 31 August, MoD Undersecretary for Regions and Military Affairs Abdussalam Zoubi announced that Rada has agreed to the government’s conditions to ease tensions in Tripoli. The agreement includes transferring control of Mitiga Airport to a civilian entity and appointing a new commander for the Judicial Police Force. Despite the agreement, Zoubi expressed skepticism, noting that Rada had previously failed to honour a similar deal. He emphasized that the terms must be implemented within 24 hours of the official signing. Both parties are now working on a smooth implementation plan to avoid disrupting public security or airport operations.
Despite Zoubi’s announcement, sources within Rada denied that a final agreement had been reached. They stated that what was agreed upon were only preliminary, general points, highlighting the ongoing distrust between the two sides.