title: GitLab - ignore specific files in target branch
body: <p>I am using GitLab in my project and I have a quite specific workflow. I have 2 branches "<strong>Dev</strong>" and "<strong>Release</strong>" as shown below. When I submit a merge request from Dev to Release, the config files are also getting overwritten with that of Dev branch. </p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ak9WA.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ak9WA.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
  
  <p>But ideally config files have to be different for both of these branches. I tried to use <code>merge=ours</code>. But it didn't serve my purpose as it will not override until and unless there is a conflict in config files. I don't want to add these files in <code>.gitignore</code>, as any changes to these files will not be committed in <strong>Dev</strong> branch. Can someone please guide me how to achieve this?</p>