On 28 January, the West Coast Military District said that a large wine factory run by a criminal gang was raided by the Military Police in al-Ajilat. More than 100,000 litres of alcohol were destroyed.
On the same day, West Coast Military District Commander and Libyan Army Deputy Chief of Staff (CoS) Salaheddin al-Namroush toured al-Ajilat accompanied by West Coast Military Police Commander Ali al-Zeeb, visiting his troops, the local Security Directorate, and various security agencies. Al-Namroush also talked with a number of residents of al-Ajilat, including some of the notables and elders of the city, and explained the purpose of the military operation.
In the afternoon, al-Namroush and three of his officers briefed Attorney General al-Sadiq al-Sour about the progress of the operation and discussed the application of legal procedures in the arrest of wanted persons in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office. They also discussed how to solve the crisis of closed gas stations in the western region which impacts the life of the citizens and vital services in a very negative way. Al-Namroush claimed that some people are being pressured by criminals to issue statements against the military operation, which, contrary to what is being said, is welcomed by the people of Zawiyya and al-Ajilat. The operation will continue until all its objectives are achieved.
Also on 28 January, a smaller group of people held a demonstration in al-Ajilat, protesting against the ‘attack of the militias of al-Namroush’ on al-Ajilat, which violated the sanctity of homes, destroyed houses and burned private and public property. They called on the Attorney General to hold PM Dabaiba, al-Namroush and their ‘militias’ accountable.
On 1 February in the early morning, a large alcohol store, including a 5,000 litres underground tank, was discovered and dismantled in al-Ajilat. The same day, the District deployed about 100 troops as reinforcements to al-Ajilat to get the situation there under control. Several alcohol and illegal fuel storages as well as other criminal dens were raided in this city over the last few days.
On 2 February in the morning, one of the largest illegal fuel markets in al-Ajilat was raided by troops of the West Coast Military District. Large quantities of fuel were confiscated. In an announcement the District stressed that no fuel sales will be permitted outside the official approved stations.