6 – 13 Aug: GNA and LNA agree to UN truce but violations occur

Aug 14, 2019 | Libyan actors

On 9 August, the Government of National Accord (GNA) accepted the UN’s call for a temporary ceasefire for Eid. On 10 August, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar, announced that his forces would temporarily cease military operations during the Eid al-Adha holiday.

The GNA’s Volcano of Rage operation claimed that the LNA had broken the truce on 11 August by undertaking two separate attacks, one on Mitiga airport and another on a house in Souq al-Jumaa which allegedly injured 3 civilians.  In addition, it appears that several factions within the anti-LNA coalition, including Salah Badi’s al-Samoud Battalion and the Misratan Battalion 615, rejected the initiative and continued to engage in southern Tripoli. On 11 August, clashes reportedly restarted in Wadi Rabie and Azizziya in southern Tripoli.

During the lull in Tripoli fighting created by the UN-backed truce, the LNA deployed the Tariq Bin Ziyad Battalion, 128 Infantry Battalion, 115 Infantry Battalion, and 116 Infantry Battalion from their Tripoli positions to Murzuq. On 10 August, these LNA forces, along with local supporting forces from Murzuq, reportedly entered the city to engage with the ‘Chadian opposition forces’ allegedly in the city.

On 11 August, the LNA claimed to have taken full control of Murzuq, having arrested 27 “mercenaries”. Since then, the security situation in the town has deteriorated significantly, with heavy clashes reportedly ongoing. As of 12 August, at least 760 families had been displaced to Sebha, Awbari, Wadi Etba, Qatroun, Taraghin and safer neighbourhoods in Murzuq.