The 444th Combat Brigade, affiliated with the Government of National Unity, announced the liberation of 195 people, including 23 women and two children kidnapped by a gang in Bani Walid that demanded a ransom in exchange for their release.

A statement issued by the 444th Battalion Brigade indicated that the head of the kidnapping gang, Aseel Al-Senussi, and 8 others of multiple nationalities were arrested, and will be referred to the concerned authorities.

The statement stated that the kidnapped were of different nationalities from "Egypt, Sudan, Niger, Nigeria, Eritrea and Ethiopia," noting that "the kidnapped were subjected to torture, rape and starvation during their stay in captivity."

The statement reassured "the families of the kidnapped that their sons are in good health and are receiving full health care in the Al-Takbali camp."