On 9 February, Libyan National Army (LNA) forces launched airstrikes against an airbase in Jufra, around 300km south of Sirte, killing two and wounding 13 according to the LNA spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismari. He said that the attack was aimed at "immobilizing the enemy before an expected attack on the ports". There had been reports in recent days of anti-LNA forces, including the Benghazi Defence Brigades and some Misratan elements, mobilizing in Jufra to launch another offensive to retake the oil crescent ports of Sidra and Ras Lanuf from the LNA. The Libya Herald reports that the LNA planes took off from Al-Khadim airbase south-east of Marj – allegedly used in recent weeks by aircraft from the UAE.On 8 February, a convoy of fighters from Misrata arrived in Tripoli. They are led by Colonel Mahmoud al-Zaghel, a military commander allied to Khalifa al-Ghwell who has recently re-established the General National Congress' (GNC) National Salvation government in Tripoli in an attempt to remove the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) from power.
Zagal's force arrived in Tripoli on Wednesday from Misrata, Ghwell's home city, in a convoy of several dozen vehicles, triggering heavy clashes with an armed group loyal to the GNA in the southern districts of Salaheddin and Abu Salim....Zagal announced on Thursday the formation of the "National Guards", which he said would be used to secure state institutions and diplomatic missions.
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