Eastern Libyan exercise reveals new division

The new urban warfare training area that was used for the final phase of Exercise ‘Dignity Shield 2′ near El-Ezzeiat. (General Command of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces)

The faction that controls eastern Libya revealed a new division and an urban warfare training facility during its Exercise ‘Dignity Shield 2′.

The new facility was seen in detail on 25 May when the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) released a 1 hour 37 minute video showing the final day of the exercise, which began with an amphibious operation, then an armoured assault, followed by special forces clearing the new urban warfare training facility.

The exercise took place earlier as the LAAF released photographs showing the final day on 21 May and preparations for it on 18 May.

The location of the new urban warfare training facility could be identified as one that low-resolution satellite imagery shows has been built at the southern end of a pre-existing training area southeast of El-Ezzeiat since November 2025. It is overlooked by a new viewing stand for VIPs who included LAAF commander-in-chief Khalifa Haftar and his sons Saddam and Khaled, who have served respectively as deputy commander-in-chief and chief-of-staff since August 2025.

Officers from Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, and the United States were also photographed at the event.

A larger stand was built to observe the armoured assault, which was carried out by the 309th Division, a formation that does not appear to have been reported before ‘Dignity Shield 2′. Banners held by soldiers at the end of the exercise indicated the division includes the 42nd and 45th Infantry Brigades, while badges on vehicles shows it also has a Commandos Brigade.

Go beyond the headlines — with direct links to interconnected entities

Get full access to validated equipment, military capabilities, and market insights.