Over the last week, the Libyan National Army (LNA) strengthened its defenses and mobilized troops in the Jufra-Ubari region in response to suspicions that the Government of National Accord (GNA) and Turkey were making inroads into the South.
On 5 December, the Libyan Revolutionaries Leadership Gathering held a conference in Zawiyya at which it ‘urged all Libyan authorities to work toward activating the role of the Libyan National Guard’ and providing it with necessary support.
On 6 December, the LNA issued a decree calling on its troops on the Sirte-Jufra frontlines to assume ‘a state of readiness.’ The document also stated that all forces that are on leave or have been deployed elsewhere have been recalled. The decree coincided with the deployment of multiple LNA forces to the Sirte-Jufra axis.
On 6 December, the Libyan National Army (LNA)-aligned 177 Brigade mobilised in preparation to capture the Mount Tendi Military Camp in the south-western area of Ubari. The camp is controlled by Government of National Accord (GNA)-aligned forces loyal to the commander of the GNA’s Southern Military Region, Ali Kana. The GNA-aligned forces refused to abandon the military camp, and clashes were avoided following intervention by the Ubari Social and Tribal Council, which facilitated a meeting between leaders of the competing armed groups. The LNA-aligned forces reportedly then retreated to the town of Germa, 17km from Ubari.
On 8 December, LNA forces detained the Turkish ship MEBRUKA, which was apparently transporting medical products to the Misrata port. LNA spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismari said the ship tried to enter a ‘prohibited area,’ at which point LNA forces, following an allegedly unanswered call to the ship, ‘approached the ship and boarded it. Mismari said the ship did not have any weapons on board and was towed to Ras al-Hilal port.