Khalifa Haftar’s sons, Saddam and Khaled, have dispatched men and military vehicles towards the Sirte desert and Jufra, the Italian Nova news agency reported on Wednesday.

The move, which comes a few days before the anniversary of the 17 February Revolution, is perceived as a show of strength by the officers, with the support of Moscow, aiming to strengthen its presence in Libya on an important date for the country’s most recent history.

Nova reported, citing a security source from Jufra, that a series of military vehicles moved during the last day to conduct exercises in Sirte and Jufra.

The major brigades participating in the exercises include the “General Command” led by Khalifa Haftar, security units led by Khaled Haftar, the Tariq Bin Ziyad Brigade led by Saddam Haftar, and the 128th Brigade led by Hassan al-Zadma.

The military exercises, expected to take place after February 17, will involve the Russian-made MiG-29 dual-engine fighter jets piloted by fighters from the Wagner Group.

According to the same source, these manoeuvres are intended to send a message that Haftar’s sons are in control of the situation, with or without their father’s presence, and are capable of imposing their military control over the eastern region of Libya.

The publisher highlights that the General Security Network is, in fact, “an empty box with no real functions, while Haftar is depending on his tribal allies to stamp his power in Cyrenaica and Fezzan.