In an obvious reaction to the ongoing military buildup in Tripoli, the Libyan National Army (LNA) has reportedly deployed a significant number of additional troops, including many armoured vehicles and some artillery, to the strategically important areas of Sirte and al-Shuwayrif.
Some troops advanced as far as al-Khamsin Gate (Gate 50, 50 km west of Sirte), the westernmost location controlled by the LNA on the Coastal Road. Additional troops were readied for deployment in Benghazi and other eastern cities. Sirte is a key link between eastern and western Libya and a gateway to crucial oil ports. Al-Shuwayrif is located on the road from Sebha to Ghariyan (about 270 km south of the latter), at the junction towards Sirte and Misrata.
In response, on 30 August the Government of National Unity (GNU) Ministry of Defense deployed about 1,200 troops from the 444 Brigade to al-Qaryah (about 70 km northeast of al-Shuwayrif), including some main battle tanks, a helicopter and an Electronic Warfare unit. The 444 Brigade has warned that any breach of the 2020 Geneva Ceasefire Agreement will be met with force. A significant number of additional troops from Misrata were deployed to Abu Qurayn and Bu’ayrat al Hasun, 80 km west of Sirte. For the time being, there has been no direct contact between the opposing sides, neither in the Sirte Region, nor in al-Shuwayrif. Libyan Air Force (GNU) drones are conducting reconnaissance missions forward of their own Libyan Army troops.