| Country: | Libya |
| Details of Formation: | The Misrata Brigades formed as rebel group during 2011 fighting against Gaddafi. There is no evidence that they supported the NTC. The date formed refers to the date the GNC took over the government on 8 August 2012. The Misrata Brigades supported the GNC. |
| Details of Termination: | The Misrata Brigades split in 2014 into those that vowed to defend the GNC against Haftar and those that decided to become passive, not wanting to get involved in a civil war. Because they were pro-GNC, and there is no evidence that they supported the House of Representatives (HoR) that succeeded the GNC after election, they are coded terminated when the HoR took over government on 4 August 2014. |
| Purpose: | Some Misrata Brigades have been assigned to provide security to government officials. |
| Organisation: | The Misrata Brigades backed the Islamists in Congress and forged an alliance with the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood after feeling disappointed by the Zaydan government. They strengthened their ties to the GNC. They have been a key part of the PGM Libya Shield Force in Tripoli until being expelled from the capital after shooting at protesters in late 2013. |
| Weapons and Training: | The Misrata Brigades seized weapons from Gaddafi’s forces during the 2011 uprising. It is equipped with more than 800 tanks, and has at least 2,000 vehicles mounted with machine guns and anti-aircraft weapons. |
| Size: | The Misrata Brigades consist of 200-236 revolutionary brigades with approximately 40,000 members. |
| Reason for Membership: | -- |
| Treatment of Civilians: | The Misrata Union of Revolutionaries opened fire and killed protesters in Tripoli. They were then expelled from the capital. The U.N.’s International Commission of Inquiry on Libya accuses the group of war crimes. |
| Other Information: | The militia is an umbrella group. Their main rivals are the Zintan militias. |
| References: | Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD. |