Ghariyan remains in GNA control despite LNA attempts to retake the town

On 26 August, the Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an assault on the mountain town Ghariyan via Ghout al-Reeh, but were repelled by anti-LNA forces from Zawiyya and Misrata, who were assisted by aerial attacks.On 29 August, the Government of National Accord’s (GNA) Interior Ministry claimed it maintained control of Ghariyan following two attempts by the LNA to retake the town over the last fortnight. On 30 August, the LNA launched another assault to re-take Ghariyan but were again repelled. The LNA has continued to undertake aerial attacks targeting sitesin and around Ghariyan.The LNA has failed to make any significant inroads into southern Tripoli since losing control of Ghariyan in June. As a result, the LNA is keen to retake Ghariyan and will likely continue to focus some efforts on achieving this in the short term. However, the tactics of a surprise attack and/or using internal dissent to effectuate a coup are no longer available to the LNA forces. As a result, a long grind and use of brute force appears to be the LNA’s most likely strategy to achieve this. The anti-LNA forces will be equally keen to hold the town and are likely to maintain defensive positions around the town in the short term