Clashes and shelling increase on Tripoli frontlines, Mitiga is hit several times

The Libyan National Army (LNA) continues to undertake a large number of indirect fire attacks (mortars, rockets, or artillery), notably targeting Tripoli’s Migita International Airport with at least 55 incidents on 28 February. On 29 February, heavy clashes broke out between the LNA and anti-LNA forces in the Hira and Aziziyya areas south of Tripoli.The GNA-aligned forces appear to have strengthen their aerial capabilities, notably undertaking three airstrikes over the preceding week as well as utilising multiple drones over southern Tripoli. With no positive development towards a ceasefire nor the de-escalation of the conflict, several GNA actors have begun to publicly question the international community's efforts to halt the conflict. The last vestiges of the Russia-Turkey brokered ceasefire agreed on 12 January 2020 seem to have withered away, while efforts to agree a permanent ceasefire through the UN-mediated 5+5 military talks have currently stalled.It is expected that there will be an escalation in mutual attacks in the coming weeks, seeing either the return of the status quo ante – continued clashes, shelling and drone strikes in southern Tripoli and near Misrata, but an overall military stalemate – or a marked escalation with new frontline opening up or a significant increase in the level of violence and destruction.