On 18 April, the GNA Volcano of Rage Operation began an assault to capture the town of Tarhouna, which acts as the LNA’s forward base for its Tripoli operations. The same day, the GNA-aligned forces from the GNA’s Western Military Region made advances on the Tripoli International Airport axis. On 14 April, GNA-aligned forces and LNA forces engaged in intensive fighting at the Zareer checkpoint, located 13km north of Watiya airbase.

On 13 April, armed groups aligned to the GNA claimed to have captured pro-LNA towns, including Sabratha. The same day, reports emerged on social media claiming that the GNA has been attempting to bribe the city of Bani Walid. On 12 April, the LNA undertook an assault on the Abu Grein axis. In a counter-attack on the same locations, all territory was re-captured. On 6 April, an armed group stormed the MMRA station at al-Shuwayrif and shut off the pipeline, effectively cutting off the water supply to Tripoli, Bani Walid, Tarhouna and Misrata.

The first week of April has seen the highest number of aerial attacks since the LNA launched its assault on Tripoli in April 2019. Relatively senior anti-LNA field commanders have been killed. On 2 April, GNA Prime Minister al-Serraj issued an official statement calling for a reshuffle at the CBL. On 5 April, 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported in Libya.

On 25 March, GNA-aligned forces launched multiple coordinated assaults on LNA forces at Watiya airbase, in Abu Grein and in the south of Tripoli, in what has been dubbed as “Operation Peace Storm.” On 29 March, Libya’s National Centre for Disease Control confirmed eight cases of COVID-19 in Libya. Both the GNA in Tripoli and the eastern-based parallel government have imposed additional measures.

Over the last week, Libyan authorities have taken preventative measures to tackle Covid-19 and as of the evening of 24 March, the National Centre for Disease Control confirmed the first case. On 22 March, the TPF published a video accusing the GNA’s Minister of Interior, Bashaagha of being the “hand” of the USA and France. On 20 March, GNA-aligned forces captured Sudanese mercenaries embedded amongst LAN forces in southern Tripoli.

Throughout the last week, there appears to have been a build-up of forces on the Abu Grein frontline, south of Misrata. On 8 March, the Misratan frontline field commander Arfidah was killed. On 10 March, a member of the Nawasi Brigade was killed, possibly a retribution for the killing of Arfidah. On 10 January, the GNA’s Western Military Region Commander, Juwaili, reportedly attempted to create a military camp in the Nafousa Mountains.

On 9 March, the Egyptian Military reportedly completed training a special navy commando unit to assist LNA forces. On 3 March, the eastern-based parallel government claimed to have officially re-opened the Libyan Embassy to Syria in Damascus. Throughout the week, LNA forces shelled Mitiga airport and the neighbouring areas.

The HoR and the HCS refused to attend the UNSMIL-mediated political dialogue talks which began in Geneva on 26 February. The LNA continues to undertake indirect fire attacks on Tripoli.

On 23 February, the second round of the UN-mediated 5 + 5 JMC discussions concluded in Geneva while the HoR and HCS both expressed reservations about the political track discussions due to start this week. On 22 February, the Zuwara municipality declared a state of emergency. The same day, heavy fighting broke out between anti-LNA forces and LNA forces 17km south of Ghariyan.

On 18 February, LNA forces shelled Tripoli port. On 18 February, the attack coincided with the UN-mediated 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee discussions resumed in Geneva. On 18 February, the head of the LNA, Khalifa Haftar, meeting with the US ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, in Rajma.

On 3 February, LNA head Haftar issued a decree assigning Major General al-Hamali as the commander of the Zawiyya Military Zone. On 6 February, LNA-affiliated airstrikes targeted a group of militants at their hideout on the outskirts of Derna. On 8 February, the UN-mediated 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee meeting in Geneva concluded.

From 1-2 February, clashes and aerial attacks between Haftar’s LNA and anti-LNA forces occurred in the al-Washka area. On 3 February, the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission mediated by UNSMIL began with meetings. On the same day, the Libyan Embassy in Niger released a video statement denouncing the GNA and declaring its recognition of the HoR as Libya’s legitimate and sovereign government.

On 21 January, the GNA’s deputy ambassador to Tunis resigned. On 22 January, several projectiles were fired at Mitiga Airport, resulting in flights being cancelled at the airfield. On 24 January, Turkish President Erdogan stated that Turkey has sent military personnel, in the form of a training and cooperation team, to Libya. On 26 January, LNA forces clashed with anti-LNA forces from Misrata in a failed attempt to capture the town of Abu Grein. On 26 January, the LNA spokesperson al-Mismari confirmed the assault but stated the LNA does not believe the assault is a breach of the Russia-Turkey ceasefire.

On 17 January, Haftar met with key Greek political officials in Athens ahead of the Berlin conference. On 19 January, Haftar met with German Chancellor Merkel and French President Macron in Berlin. Serraj, on the other hand, met with Merkel and Turkish President Erdogan individually. Serraj and Haftar agreed separately to nominate representatives for a ceasefire committee. On 20 January, US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, met with Serraj and Haftar following the Berlin conference.

On 11 January, Serraj welcomed a Turkish-Russian proposed ceasefire. The LNA also accepted the truce last-minute. Serraj and Haftar then both visited Moscow but only Serraj signed the ceasefire agreement. Haftar left Russia without signing the deal.

On 3 January, Haftar declared a state of full mobilisation to defend Libya from Turkey. On 4 January, the HoR held an emergency meeting and asked the international community to withdraw its recognition of the GNA. On 4 January, the LNA launched a drone strike targeting a military academy camp in Tripoli and killing 30 people. On 6 January, the LNA launched an assault on Sirte, resulting in the withdrawal of local anti-LNA forces and GNA-aligned Misratan forces.