Late March 2011 Libyan rebel offensive
Encyclopedia
The First Gulf of Sidra offensive was the second major rebel offensive of the 2011 Libyan civil war
. It was mounted by anti-Gaddafi forces
immediately after their victory in the Battle of Ajdabiya
. The offensive was meant to have the rebel forces quickly reach Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte
.
The operation was initially a success with the rebels taking almost 300 kilometres (186.4 mi) of coast along the Libyan Coastal Highway in just two days. However, by day three into the rebel advance, loyalist troops stopped their advance and the rebels were forced to retreat back to their starting positions.
on 26 March, rebels immediately pressed their momentum and took the oil town of Brega without a fight.
The next day, 27 March, opposition forces continued their push capturing Ra's Lanuf
without a shot fired. By the end of the day, the rebels had entered Bin Jawad, 150 kilometres (93.2 mi) east of Sirte, again unopposed.
Overall, pro-Gaddafi forces had retreated for over 300 kilometres (186.4 mi) in just two days stopping at prepared defensive positions around Sirte.
and began shelling the town with artillery and mortars.
On 30 March, loyalist forces recaptured the oil refinery town of Ra's Lanuf
forcing rebels to retreat further to the east. The coalition then began launching air-strikes against Gaddafi's forces around Ra's Lanuf and on the road to Uqayla. Reporters on the ground blamed a sandstorm and low visibility from the air for the lack of air-strikes the previous day. Later during the day, rebels were pulling out of Brega to Ajdabiya. In the evening, the BBC News
reported that Brega
was in control of pro-Gaddafi forces and they were approaching Ajdabiya. A CNN
correspondent in Ajdabiya reported that rebels were "massing outside Ajdabiya for a counter-offensive". During the night, the Coalition attempted an air-strike against loyalist forces. However, they hit an ammunition truck that was near some civilian houses which resulted in the deaths of seven civilians and wounding of 25.
in an attempt to halt their advance which had reversed nearly all of the previous rebel gains. However, this rebel offensive too was stopped by the better trained and equipped loyalist forces and a stalemate soon developed on the road between Brega and Ajdabiya.
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...
. It was mounted by 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...
immediately after their victory in the Battle of Ajdabiya
Battle of Ajdabiya
The Battle of Ajdabiya was an armed battle in and near the city of Ajdabiya that took place as part of the 2011 Libyan civil war. It was fought between anti-government rebels and military forces loyal to the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi...
. The offensive was meant to have the rebel forces quickly reach Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte
Sirte
Sirte is a city in LibyaSirte may also refer to:* Sirte Declaration, a 1999 resolution to create the African Union* Sirte Oil Company, a Libyan oil companyIn geography:* Gulf of Sirte, alias for Gulf of Sidra on Libya's coast...
.
The operation was initially a success with the rebels taking almost 300 kilometres (186.4 mi) of coast along the Libyan Coastal Highway in just two days. However, by day three into the rebel advance, loyalist troops stopped their advance and the rebels were forced to retreat back to their starting positions.
Rebels capture oil towns and reach western Libya
After loyalist forces lost the battle for AjdabiyaBattle of Ajdabiya
The Battle of Ajdabiya was an armed battle in and near the city of Ajdabiya that took place as part of the 2011 Libyan civil war. It was fought between anti-government rebels and military forces loyal to the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi...
on 26 March, rebels immediately pressed their momentum and took the oil town of Brega without a fight.
The next day, 27 March, opposition forces continued their push capturing Ra's Lanuf
Ra's Lanuf
Ra's Lanuf is a Mediterranean town in northern Libya, on the Gulf of Sidra. The town is also home to the Ra's Lanuf Refinery, completed in 1984, with a crude oil refining capacity of . The oil refinery is operated by the Ra's Lanuf Oil & Gas Processing Company, a subsidiary of the state-owned...
without a shot fired. By the end of the day, the rebels had entered Bin Jawad, 150 kilometres (93.2 mi) east of Sirte, again unopposed.
Overall, pro-Gaddafi forces had retreated for over 300 kilometres (186.4 mi) in just two days stopping at prepared defensive positions around Sirte.
Skirmishes along the road to Sirte
On 28 March, rebel forces advanced further west toward Sirte and took the town of Nofaliya. After securing Nofaliya, they continued westwards to the village of Harawa. There they tried to negotiate with the tribal leaders for the locals to join their uprising. However, the civilians in the village attacked the rebels with automatic weapons and the opposition was forced to withdraw from Harawa. At the same time, the long rebel coloumn, coming from Bin Jawad, was ambushed a number of times on the highway and loyalists managed to flank the rebels and attack them from the rear. This forced the opposition forces to withdraw back to Nofaliya, 120 kilometres (74.6 mi) from Sirte. Some of them even retreated back to Bin Jawad.Counter-offensive by pro-Gaddafi forces
On 29 March, pro-Gaddafi forces intensified attacks on Libyan rebels, forcing them to retreat from Nofaliya to Bin Jawad, some 30 kilometres (18.6 mi) further east. Later, intense fighting over Bin Jawad was reported, including artillery duels, before the rebels fled in hundreds of vehicles, abandoning the town, towards Ra's Lanuf. The opposition's military commanders suggested that lack of discipline and stretched supply lines are partly to blame for the retreat. Later during the day, pro-Gaddafi forces advanced to 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) away from Ra's LanufRa's Lanuf
Ra's Lanuf is a Mediterranean town in northern Libya, on the Gulf of Sidra. The town is also home to the Ra's Lanuf Refinery, completed in 1984, with a crude oil refining capacity of . The oil refinery is operated by the Ra's Lanuf Oil & Gas Processing Company, a subsidiary of the state-owned...
and began shelling the town with artillery and mortars.
On 30 March, loyalist forces recaptured the oil refinery town of Ra's Lanuf
Ra's Lanuf
Ra's Lanuf is a Mediterranean town in northern Libya, on the Gulf of Sidra. The town is also home to the Ra's Lanuf Refinery, completed in 1984, with a crude oil refining capacity of . The oil refinery is operated by the Ra's Lanuf Oil & Gas Processing Company, a subsidiary of the state-owned...
forcing rebels to retreat further to the east. The coalition then began launching air-strikes against Gaddafi's forces around Ra's Lanuf and on the road to Uqayla. Reporters on the ground blamed a sandstorm and low visibility from the air for the lack of air-strikes the previous day. Later during the day, rebels were pulling out of Brega to Ajdabiya. In the evening, the BBC News
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
reported that Brega
Brega
Brega may refer to:*Brega , an inhabited location in Libya**Marsa Brega Airport, the airport for Brega-People:...
was in control of pro-Gaddafi forces and they were approaching Ajdabiya. A CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
correspondent in Ajdabiya reported that rebels were "massing outside Ajdabiya for a counter-offensive". During the night, the Coalition attempted an air-strike against loyalist forces. However, they hit an ammunition truck that was near some civilian houses which resulted in the deaths of seven civilians and wounding of 25.
Aftermath
On the morning of 31 March, rebels counter-attacked pro-Gaddafi forces in BregaThird Battle of Brega
The Third Battle of Brega was a battle during the 2011 Libyan civil war between forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and anti-Gaddafi forces for control of the town of Brega and its surroundings.- Background :...
in an attempt to halt their advance which had reversed nearly all of the previous rebel gains. However, this rebel offensive too was stopped by the better trained and equipped loyalist forces and a stalemate soon developed on the road between Brega and Ajdabiya.