On 18 December, four of the key militias in Tripoli announced that they had merged into a new group dubbed the “Tripoli Protection Force” (TPF). This new militia force is composed of: The Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade (TRB), Abu Salim Deterrence and Rapid Intervention Force, the Nawasi militia (8th Force), and the Bab Tajura Brigade. In the statement, the TPF stated that they had formed in response to military movements in the western region and rejected the use of power for political gains. The statement also supported efforts by UNSMIL and its envoy Ghassan Salame, adding that it endorsed the Libyan National Conference in January. The creation of the TPF appears to be an effort by the Tripoli-based militias to rebrand and insert themselves into the new security arrangements of the GNA, thwarting the attempts by the Minister of Interior Fathi Bashagha to increase the involvement and influence of Misratan and Zintan forces.The statement announcing the TPF establishment was released by the TRB; however, it did not contain the usual signatures or stamps of approval by any of the brigades, bringing into question how unanimous or genuine the decision is within and amongst militia group members to establish this new “force”. Moreover, the initiative seems to be led by the TRB leader Haithem Tajouri, who upon his return to Libya following the clashes in August and September of this year, has been actively removing dissidence within the ranks of his own forces (through a series of assassinations) and attempting to position himself in the new security arrangements. It is worth noting that the Special Deterrence Force (Rada) are not members of this new force. The creation of the TPF appears to be an effort by the Tripoli-based militias to rebrand and insert themselves into the new security arrangements of the GNA, thwarting the attempts by the Minister of Interior Fathi Bashagha to increase the involvement and influence of Misratan and Zintan forces.
Tripoli militias unite into "Tripoli Protection Force"