Second Gulf of Sidra offensive

Second Gulf of Sidra offensive
Part of Libyan Civil War
Date22 August – 20 October 2011
LocationLibyan Coastal Highway
Result

Anti-Gaddafi Victory

  • Anti-Gaddafi forces capture Ra's Lanuf, Bin Jawad and Nofaliya in late August
  • Anti-Gaddafi forces start a full-scale attack on Sirte on 15 September, but are repulsed three times by 29 September[1]
  • New opposition attack on Sirte in October that leads to the capture of the city by anti-Gaddafi forces on 20 October
Belligerents

Libya National Transitional Council

NATO NATO command[2]

Libya Gaddafi Loyalists

Commanders and leaders
Libya Col. Hamid Hassy
Libya Mustafa Bin Dardef †[3][4]

Libya Muammar Gaddafi †
Libya Mutassim Gaddafi †[5]

Libya Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr †[6]
Libya Mansour Dhao (POW)[7]
Libya Abdel Rahman Abdel Hamid (POW)[8]
Strength
16,000 fighters[9]
163[10]-900[11] technicals		 1,000[10]-5,000[12] fighters
Casualties and losses
437 killed[13] 236[14]-903[15] killed*
800 civilians killed (NTC claim)[16]
2,151 civilians killed (Loyalist claim)[17][18]
  • Based largely on unconfirmed rebel and civilian claims

The Second Gulf of Sidra offensive was a military operation in the Libyan Civil War conducted by rebel anti-Gaddafi forces in August and September 2011 to take control of towns along the Gulf of Sidra in an effort to surround Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte, which was held by pro-Gaddafi forces. It ended on 20 October, when Muammar Gaddafi and his son Mutassim Gaddafi were killed along with former defense minister, Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr. The Gaddafi loyalists in the area were finally defeated when NTC fighters captured Sirte.[19][20][21]

Background

Following the success of rebels hostile to the Gaddafi government in Tripoli, rebels in Brega made advances, taking over the entirety of the oil port town of Brega including its residential, industrial and port areas. They then planned to advance westwards.

Rebel offensive

22 August

A spokesman for the National Liberation Army said on 22 August that Gaddafi's forces had finally retreated westward to Sirte and all of Brega was under the opposition's control.[22] This was later denied by Ahmed Omar Bani, the rebels' military spokesman, who said the eastern "front is still at Brega".[23] Loyalists near Sirte fired a scud missile at Misrata.[24]

23 August

However, a day later, it was confirmed that rebel forces managed to capture the village of El Agheila and were on their way to Ra's Lanuf.[25] Ra's Lanuf fell to the opposition soon after and they were on the outskirts of the small town of Bin Jawad, 150 km east of Gaddafi's home town of Sirte.[26]

It was also reported by Reuters that rebels were negotiating with Sirte leaders to enter the city without bloodshed.[27]

Rebels managed to advance to the outskirts of the small coastal town of Bin Jawad, resulting in the Second Battle of Bin Jawad, but were unable to progress further due to heavy loyalist resistance in the area.[28]

More scud missile were fired at Misrata, all reportedly either falling into the sea or causing no damage upon landing [29]

24 August

On 24 August, a heavy loyalist artillery bombardment caused the rebels to retreat 20 km from Bin Jawad to Sidra.[30] During the fighting, loyalists ambushed the advancing rebels once again at Bin Jawad, in an echo of an earlier defeat in March. Twenty rebel fighters died in the clashes.[31][32]

25 August

RAF Tornado aircraft attacked a military bunker in Sirte with precision guided missiles, in an attempt to destroy the government's remaining command and control capabilities, ahead of the rebels planned offensive on the city. NATO aircraft also destroyed 29 armoured vehicles which were moving to Misrata.[33] The rebels, for their part, retreated further to Ra's Lanuf to put themselves out of range of rockets fired by pro-Gaddafi forces.[34]

27 August

Rebels claimed sending a brigade to negotiate the surrender of Sirte.[35] Al Jazeera English reported that there were negotiations between rebels and loyalists in Ra's Lanuf.[36] Later that day, rebel forces were able to recapture Bin Jawad and move closer to Sirte.[37]

28 August

NLA forces advanced on two fronts towards the town of Nofaliya, which was captured later that day.[38][39]

30 August

The National Transitional Council gave the loyalists in Sirte a four-day-ultimatum to surrender or to face military assault.[40]

1 September

The ultimatum was extended for another week by the NTC. A spokesman stated that Sirte had no economic importance and that the rebels would not risk casualties for it. Meanwhile negotiations between tribal leaders from Nofaliya and the Bin Jawad area (on NTC behalf) and from Sirte were still ongoing.[41] The NLA forces claimed that Harawa, a village 50 km east of Sirte, had surrendered.[42] NATO bombardment of the area continued unabated, independent of the NTC ultimatums.[43]

4 September

A NLA commander claimed that the village of Umm El Ghindel agreed to lay down their weapons.[44] Reuters reported that the NLA raised their flag on the entry of the village.[45]

6 September

NLA forces advanced 8 km towards Sirte, meeting heavy resistance from loyalist forces. One NLA fighter died in the fighting and at least one loyalist was killed and another wounded. Both sides engaged in artillery duels during the day and three loyalist vehicles were bombed by NATO and two others captured by the NLA. According to frontline commanders, the clashes occurred when a recon patrol was attacked by loyalists and that the attack on Sirte had yet to begin.[3] Also, to the west of Sirte, NTC forces overran a tribal encampment without resistance, taking over 100 assault rifles and some machineguns.[46]

8 September

An NLA commander claimed that the Red Valley, east of Sirte, was captured by NLA forces.[47] Eight rebels and three loyalists were killed during the fighting in the valley and one pro-Gaddafi fighter was captured.[48]

9 September

Opposition forces engaged loyalist troops near Sirte, in the Red Valley,[49] during the night but withdrew after suffering heavy casualties.[50]

10–14 September

During a period of heavy fighting, in which opposition forces attempted to advance toward Sirte but made only gains of a few kilometers, at least 80 rebel fighters were killed.[51] According to the Misrata Military Council, the living conditions inside Sirte were worsening. The city suffered from a lack of water and food.[52]

15-18 September

On 15 September, NLA forces based out of Misrata moved into Sirte from the west. Opposition troops initially made some gains by capturing the airport south of the city and penetrating the city limits. But by 18 September, the rebels had retreated to the city's outskirts after encountering stiff resistance from well-armed loyalists and suffering heavy casualties.[53]

At the same time, eastern NLA forces captured the village of Harawa in an attempt to support forces from the west which were already engaged in a battle for Sirte itself.[54]

20 September

On 20 September, Al Jazeera reported that eastern NLA forces finally reached the eastern gates of Sirte and thus put Sirte under effective siege from all sides.[55] However, later reports put opposition forces at the town of Khamseen, still another 50 kilometers east of Sirte, facing stiff resistance from loyalist troops.[56]

24 September

On 24 September, NTC forces made another attempt at storming Sirte and captured a few neighbourhoods in the western part of the city. But by the next morning, they again retreated from the western part of Sirte, after meeting strong resistance from loyalist forces.[57] To the east, NLA troops advanced to within 20 kilometers of Sirte.[58]

26 September

Opposition forces continued their offensive against Sirte with NTC tanks shelling the city center from a distance of 2 kilometers from the western outskirts. Meanwhile, the main opposition eastern assault body fought their way to 10 kilometers of the town.[59]

NATO strikes

20 August-20 September NATO Strikes
Date Vehicles Tanks Missiles and Missile Launchers Buildings Radar and Antennas
20 August[60] 0 0 0 1 Command and Control Node 0
24 August[61] 0 0 1 Surface to Surface Missile Support Vehicle 0 0
25 August[62] 29 Armed Vehicles 0 0 1 Command and Control Node 0
26 August[63] 11 Armed Vehicles, 3 Logistic Military Vehicles, 1 Armoured Fighting Vehicle 0 0 1 Military Observation Point, 2 Military Shelters, 1 Military Engineer Asset 0
27 August[64] 1 Armoured Fighting Vehicle 0 1 Surface to Surface Supply Vehicle 0 0
28 August[65] 3 Military Support Vehicles 0 20 Surface to Air Missile Canisters, 2 Surface to Air Missile Systems 0 4 Radar Systems, 1 Antenna
29 August[66] 22 Armed Vehicles, 2 Military Support Vehicles 0 2 Surface to Air Missile Systems 3 Command and Control Nodes, 1 Command Post, 1 Military Facility 4 Radar Systems
30 August[67] 12 Armed Vehicles 3 0 1 Command and Control Facility, 1 Military Facility, 1 Command Post 1 Radar System
31 August[43] 1 Armed Vehicle 1 5 Surface to Air Missile Transloaders, 4 Surface to Air Missile Launchers, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher 1 Command and Control Node 0
1 September[68] 2 Armed Vehicles, 2 Military Trucks 1 7 Surface-to-Air Missile Launchers, 3 Surface-to-Air Missile Launchers 1 Command and Control Node/Ammo Storage Facility 0
2 September[69] 0 3 11 Surface to Air Missile Canisters 1 Ammo Storage Facility, 1 Training Area 0
3 September[70] 1 Self-propelled Artillery Piece 0 7 Surface-to-Air Missile Canisters, 1 Surface-to-Air Missile System 1 Military Barracks, 1 Ammunition Storage Facility, 1 Military Police Camp, 1 Command and Control Node 0
4 September[71] 2 Armed Vehicles 0 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 4 Surface to Air Missile Canisters 1 Military Vehicle Storage Facility, 2 Heavy Machine Guns 0
5 September[72] 4 Armed Vehicles 0 4 Surface to Air Missile Systems 1 Military Radar/Communication Site, 1 Command and Control Bunker, 2 Military Settlements 0
6 September[73] 4 Armed Vehicles, 6 Armoured Fighting Vehicles, 1 Self-propelled Artillery 6 1 Surface to Air Missile Canister, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher 1 Ammo Storage Facility 0
7 September[74] 5 Armoured Fighting Vehicles, 2 Armed Vehicles 0 0 0 0
8 September[75] 2 Armed Vehicles 0 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher 0 0
9 September[76] 1 Armed Vehicle 0 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher 1 Surface to Surface Missile Facility 0
10 September[77] 2 Armed Vehicles 2 1 Surface to Air Missile Canister 0 0
11 September[78] 7 Armed Vehicles 0 3 Surface to Air Missile Systems 1 Military Logistic Facility, 1 Command and Control Node 1 Radar System
12 September[79] 1 Armed Vehicle, 2 Air Defense Command Vehicles 0 8 Surface to Air Missile Systems, 5 Surface to Air Missile Trailers/Transloaders 0 1 Radar System
13 September[80] 1 Armed Vehicle, 2 Anti-Aircraft Guns 0 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher 1 Command and Control Node 4 Radar Systems
14 September[81] 0 0 2 Surface to Air Missile Systems 1 Command and Control Node, 1 Military Vehicle Storage Facility 4 Radar Systems
15 September[82] 2 Armed Vehicles 1 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 8 Air Missile Systems 1 Military Storage Facility 0
16 September[83] 4 Armed Vehicles 0 8 Air Missile Systems 5 Command and Control Nodes 3 Radar Systems
17 September[84] 1 Armed Vehicle 0 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 4 Surface to Air Missile Systems 2 Command and Control Nodes 0
18 September[85] 0 0 4 Surface to Air Missile Systems, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher 1 Military Facility, 1 Command and Control Node 0
19 September[86] 1 Armed Vehicle 0 1 Multiple Rocket System 0 0
20 September[87] 0 1 6 Air Missile Systems 1 Military Vehicle Storage Facility, 2 Military Ammunition/Storage Facilities, 1 Command and Control Node 0
Total 140 18 140 50 23

References

  1. ↑ "Gaddafi hometown a hazardous prize for Libya's NTC". Reuters. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "Nato takes control of enforcing Libya no-fly zone". 25 March 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Libyan troops advance on Sirte in heavy fighting". timesofmalta.com. 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  4. ↑ "Street fighting rocks Sirte as Clinton visits Tripoli". Ahram Online. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  5. ↑ "After a day of intense fighting, anti-Gadhafi forces pull back". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  6. ↑ M3 Web - http://m3web.bg. "Bulgaria: Gaddafi's Ex-Defense Minister Killed - Report - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency". Novinite.com. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  7. ↑ Fahim, Kareem (22 October 2011). "In His Last Days, Qaddafi Wearied of Fugitive’s Life". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  8. ↑ "Gaddafi nephew arrested in Sirte". Times LIVE. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  9. ↑ "Forces attack Gaddafi stronghold Sirte as end of civil war approaches". The Independent. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  10. 1 2 "Gaddafi's wife and children flee to Algeria". The Independent. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  11. ↑ Spencer, Richard (15 September 2011). "Libya: rebels 'enter gates of Sirte'". The Daily Telegraph (London). Telegraph. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  12. ↑ McCain arrives in Libya as rival forces battle for control
  13. ↑ 20 killed (24 August), 45 killed (29 August), 1 killed (6 September), 12 killed (8 September), 80 killed (10-14 September), 4 killed (13 September), 11 killed (15 September), 13 killed (16 September), 24 killed (17 September), 5 killed (18 September), 9 killed (20 September), 70 killed (21 September-6 October; in Sirte), 2 killed (22 September outside Sirte), 85 killed (7-12 October), 120 killed (7-15 October), 14 killed (18 October), 7 killed (19 October), total of 437 reported killed
  14. ↑ 10+ killed (23 August), 6 killed (5 September), 1 killed (6 September), 18 killed (8 September), 3 killed (3 October), 1 killed (5 October), 3 killed (9 October), 7 killed (11 October), 2 killed (13 October), 53 prisoners killed (15-19 October), 1 killed (16 October), 105 killed (20 October), 26 killed (29 October), total of 236+ reported killed
  15. ↑ 10+ killed (23 August), 6 killed (5 September), 1 killed (6 September), 18 killed (8 September), 842 killed (15 September-20 October), 26 killed (29 October), total of 903 reported killed
  16. ↑ Crilly, Rob (3 September 2011). "Libya: Over 800 killed in battle for Gaddafi's home town of Sirte". The Daily Telegraph (London).
  17. ↑ "Gadhafi aide: NATO airstrike hits residential area, kills 354 civilians". Haaretz.com. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
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  21. ↑ "No Relic, No Shrine: Why Gaddafi's Grave Is a Secret". Time. 26 October 2011.
  22. ↑ "Gaddafi forces quit Brega". News24. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
  23. ↑ The Egyptian Gazette, Monday, August 22, 2011
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  28. ↑ "Rebels stuck at Bin Jawad on way to Gaddafi hometown - Region - World - Ahram Online". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  29. ↑ Los Angeles Times. 23 August 2011 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/08/libya-scud-missiles-misurata.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ↑ "Libya - Aug 25, 2011 - 03:52". Al Jazeera Blogs. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  31. ↑ NATO Helps in Hunt for Qaddafi as Rebels Gain Momentum
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  33. ↑ "Libya conflict: Nato jets hit Gaddafi Sirte bunker". BBC News. 26 August 2011.
  34. ↑ "Hundreds of dead bodies found at Tripoli hospital". citifmonline. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
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  36. ↑ "Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 10:15". Al Jazeera Blogs. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  37. ↑ Ben Quinn. "Guardian Live Blog". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  38. ↑ "Al Jazeera Live Blog". Al Jazeera Blogs. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  39. ↑ "Al Jazeera Live Blog". Al Jazeera Blogs. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  40. ↑ "Libya’s Rebels Give 4-Day Ultimatum to Gadhafi Forces". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  41. ↑ "Gaddafi men given extra week to surrender". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
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  43. 1 2 http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_09/20110901_110901-oup-update.pdf
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  45. ↑ "Rebel flag raised outside Sirte". Reuters. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  46. ↑ http://213.158.162.45/~egyptian/index.php?action=news&id=20843&title=Pro-Gaddafi%20tribe%20disarmed%20near%20Sirte
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  56. ↑ "Ammunition shortage hampers attack on Gaddafi bastion". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
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  60. ↑ http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110821_110821-oup-update.pdf
  61. ↑ http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110825_110825-oup-update.pdf
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  63. ↑ http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110827_110827-oup-update.pdf
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  65. ↑ http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110829_110829-oup-update.pdf
  66. ↑ http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110830_110830-oup-update.pdf
  67. ↑ http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110831_110831-oup-update.pdf
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  69. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 2 September" (PDF). Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  70. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 3 September" (PDF). Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  71. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 4 September" (PDF). Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  72. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 5 September" (PDF). Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  73. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 6 September" (PDF). Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  74. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 7 September" (PDF). Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  75. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 8 September" (PDF). Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  76. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 9 September" (PDF). Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  77. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 10 September" (PDF). Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  78. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 11 September" (PDF). Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  79. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 12 September" (PDF). Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  80. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 13 September" (PDF). Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  81. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 14 September" (PDF). Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  82. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 15 September" (PDF). Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  83. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 16 September" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  84. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 17 September" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  85. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 18 September" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  86. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 19 September" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  87. ↑ Press Release. "NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 20 September" (PDF). Retrieved 21 September 2011.

Coordinates: 31°30′N 18°0′E / 31.500°N 18.000°E / 31.500; 18.000

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