Over the course of several days, fighters belonging to Misrata’s key armed groups have mobilised to Tripoli. On 31 December, the 166 Brigade, Halbous Brigade, and the Counter-Terrorism Force mobilised to Tripoli. On 1 January, the Misratan Mahjoub Brigade mobilised to Tripoli upon the ‘direct instructions’ of the Chief of the General Staff, Mohammed Haddad, and the Minister of Defence (and GNU Prime Minister) Abdul Hameed Dabaiba. The mobilisation came after the Mahjoub Brigade had published statements criticising fellow Misratan Fathi Bashaagha for engaging with the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar. On 2 January, Misratan, Zintani and Zawiyyan armed groups reportedly continued to mobilize to Tripoli in large numbers, positioning themselves notably in the suburb of Ain Zara and along airport road – areas controlled by the 301 Brigade and the 444 Brigade.
