The Reserve Division of the Counter-Terrorism Force, loyal to Libyan outgoing Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, has expanded its security presence across several cities, including Zliten, Al-Khums, Tarhuna, and Al-Qarabulli.
The move comes as the capital Tripoli witnesses rising military mobilizations and growing instability. The deployment, described by local sources as “strategic and precautionary,” aims to secure vital areas and maintain order in cities east and south of the capital.
Over the past 48 hours, the force has intensified its patrols in key districts and vital facilities, signaling heightened alertness amid fears of escalating confrontations between rival armed groups.
Residents reported seeing convoys and checkpoints set up at sensitive locations, particularly in Zliten and Al-Khums, where tensions have historically spilled over during power struggles in the capital.
The fresh deployments underscore the fragile security situation in western Libya, where rival authorities and militias continue to compete for control. Observers warn that the spreading of forces outside Tripoli could either act as a deterrent to potential clashes or risk widening the scope of conflict if rival factions respond with counter-mobilizations.
The situation remains fluid, with fears that any spark in Tripoli could ripple across neighboring towns now hosting Dbaiba’s security forces.