2011 Msallata clashes
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Msallata clashes were a series of ongoing clashes in the 2011 Libyan civil war
between rebel anti-Gaddafi forces
and loyalist pro-Gaddafi forces for control of the town of Msallata
which took place in early August 2011.
On 6 August, Msallata rebels reported to AFP
that pro-Gaddafi forces did not control the town, but had it surrounded and were making arrests on the periphery. Electricity and communications were cut off and they feared a bloodbath.
On 7 August, Raed Hussein, an envoy from Msallata's military council, reported that the town remained under rebel control after four days of siege. However, he expected that more loyalists would be sent from nearby Khoms to bolster the siege.
On 9 August, rebel-aligned al-Manara Media reported that a private militia run by a "gangster" appointed by Gaddafi controlled Msallata's exits while anti-Gaddafi Msallata residents controlled most of the inner city.
2011 Libyan civil war
The 2011 Libyan civil war was an armed conflict in the North African state of Libya, fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and those seeking to oust his government. The war was preceded by protests in Benghazi beginning on 15 February 2011, which led to clashes with security...
between rebel anti-Gaddafi forces
Anti-Gaddafi forces
The anti-Gaddafi forces were Libyan groups that opposed and militarily defeated the government of Muammar Gaddafi, killing him in the process. These opposition forces included organised and armed militia groups, participants in the 2011 Libyan civil war, Libyan diplomats who switched their...
and loyalist pro-Gaddafi forces for control of the town of Msallata
Msallata
Msallata is a town in the northwestern part of Libya, in the Murqub District. It has a population of nearly 24,000, and was historically a center of Islamic studies. It is also known for olive tree farming and olive oil production...
which took place in early August 2011.
Clashes
On 4 August, a Msallata resident reported to Reuters that, on 3 August, "There was a clash between people waiting in a queue outside a bakery. It was just before sunset, when people break the Ramadan fast". After police intervened, it turned into a protest against the government. Several government buildings were set on fire, troops were called in and the town declared a closed area. Local rebels overran a local school that was being used as a base for government troops in the town.On 6 August, Msallata rebels reported to AFP
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse is a French news agency, the oldest one in the world, and one of the three largest with Associated Press and Reuters. It is also the largest French news agency. Currently, its CEO is Emmanuel Hoog and its news director Philippe Massonnet...
that pro-Gaddafi forces did not control the town, but had it surrounded and were making arrests on the periphery. Electricity and communications were cut off and they feared a bloodbath.
On 7 August, Raed Hussein, an envoy from Msallata's military council, reported that the town remained under rebel control after four days of siege. However, he expected that more loyalists would be sent from nearby Khoms to bolster the siege.
On 9 August, rebel-aligned al-Manara Media reported that a private militia run by a "gangster" appointed by Gaddafi controlled Msallata's exits while anti-Gaddafi Msallata residents controlled most of the inner city.