On Wednesday, the Spokesman for the Libyan National Army (LNA), Major General Ahmed Al-Mismari, said that they have monitored a large mobilization of militias in the eastern regions of Misrata. They are believed to be preparing an attack on areas where LNA forces are stationed in Sirte and Al-Jufrah. The LNA Spokesman warned against any military escalation and provocative steps in the region.
In a statement, Mismari said “We have monitored a massive mobilization of criminal and takfiri militias armed with sophisticated Turkish weapons, in addition to the deployment of thousands of mercenaries and foreign fighters in Al-Hesheh, Qadahiyah, Zamzam and eastern Misrata regions. These threaten to wage attacks against areas-affiliated to the LNA in Sirte and Al-Jufrah, and all eastern cities of the country.”
He confirmed that the recent mobilization of those militias is a clear violation of the principles of the ceasefire agreement. He called for practical steps to be taken to reinforce a permanent ceasefire and adhere to the Geneva agreement signed by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC), and sponsored by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Al-Mismari reiterated the LNA’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement, and for the implementation of the JMC talks.