The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced it had seized large quantities of weapons and ammunition in a major security operation in the south. The raids, conducted by the 101st Infantry Battalion and the 676th Infantry Battalion of the LNA’s ground forces, targeted several locations in Wadi al-Shati municipality.
According to the LNA, the operation focused on houses and farms allegedly used by criminal elements as storage facilities for arms and ammunition. The seized items included light, medium, and heavy weapons, as well as Grad rocket launchers and multiple rocket system bases.
The LNA said the operation was part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen security and stability in southern Libya. It forms a broader campaign to dismantle criminal networks, combat smuggling, and prevent illegal armed activity in the region.
Wadi al-Shati, located in the Fezzan region, has long faced security challenges, including the presence of armed groups and smuggling routes that connect Libya’s southern borders to the Sahara. Analysts say such operations are crucial to curbing the movement of weapons that can fuel conflict in other parts of the country.
The LNA’s campaign in the south comes amid broader national efforts to reassert control over territories affected by instability since Libya’s 2011 conflict. Military sources emphasised that the crackdown is also aimed at deterring potential threats to national security, including armed militias and extremist groups.
Local residents expressed cautious optimism about the security measures, though some warned that lasting stability will require more than just military operations. They called for parallel investment in infrastructure, public services, and job opportunities to address the root causes of instability in the south.
The LNA confirmed that the seized weapons are being secured and investigated to determine their origins and intended use. Authorities have vowed to continue such operations until all illegal armed activity in the region is eliminated.
