On 15 November, the Zintani-led Southwest Branch of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) reinforced its forces around the oilfields in the al-Hamada al-Hamra desert with about 300 troops. On the same day, the Supreme Coun cil of Sheikhs and Notables of Fezzan published a statement in solidarity with the people of the Zintan and al-Maqarba tribes, in their rejection of the presence of any forces from outside in the region.
On 15 November, the 444 Brigade arrested at least two members of a PFG patrol in the al-Hamada al Hamra desert. The Southwest Branch of the PFG condemned the ‘shameful act’ by the 444 Brigade. They stated that if the patrol members were not released within 48 hours, the 444 would be dealt with and steps would be taken to ensure the release of the detained PFG members. The PFG members were released by the 444 Brigade on the evening of the same day. One of them had a bullet wound and was taken to the hospital in Zintan.