Timeline of the 2011 Libyan civil war
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Libyan civil war
began on 17 February 2011 as a civil protest and later evolved into a widespread uprising. By mid-August, anti-Gaddafi forces
effectively supported by a NATO-led international coalition
were ascendant in Tripolitania
, breaking out of the restive Nafusa Mountains in the south to mount an offensive toward the coast
and advancing
from Misrata on loyalist-held cities and villages from the north and east.
This period of the war was its endgame, with Muammar Gaddafi
's defensive perimeter around Greater Tripoli
collapsing and his government ultimately being routed
from Tripoli
. A number of members of the Gaddafi government were arrested or killed in action
, including Gaddafi's youngest son Khamis, and a string of its last outposts teetered and eventually fell under the assault of the (effectively) NATO-backed revolutionaries. By the end of September, the National Transitional Council
had won recognition from the United Nations
, the Arab League
, and the African Union
as the legitimate governing authority of Libya
, asserting control over the vast majority of the country.
As the war entered its momentous final days, the last remaining stronghold of government loyalists was the city of Sirte
, which Gaddafi declared to be the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya's new capital after the fall of Tripoli. On 20 October, NTC forces that had been arrayed around the ever-shrinking positions occupied by loyalist holdouts made a decisive push
and took control of the city, capturing Gaddafi as he attempted to flee. Gaddafi, who had been seriously wounded prior to his arrest, died in custody less than an hour later.
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...
began on 17 February 2011 as a civil protest and later evolved into a widespread uprising. By mid-August, 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...
effectively supported by a NATO-led international coalition
2011 military intervention in Libya
On 19 March 2011, a multi-state coalition began a military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which was taken in response to events during the 2011 Libyan civil war...
were ascendant in Tripolitania
Tripolitania
Tripolitania or Tripolitana is a historic region and former province of Libya.Tripolitania was a separate Italian colony from 1927 to 1934...
, breaking out of the restive Nafusa Mountains in the south to mount an offensive toward the coast
2011 Libyan rebel coastal offensive
The 2011 Libyan rebel coastal offensive was a major rebel offensive of the 2011 Libyan civil war. It was mounted by anti-Gaddafi forces with the intention of cutting off the supply route from Tunisia for pro-Gaddafi loyalist forces in Tripoli.- Background :...
and advancing
Battle of the Misrata frontline
The Battle of the Misrata frontline was a battle during the 2011 Libyan civil war between pro-Gaddafi loyalists and anti-Gaddafi forces on the western and southwestern outskirts of Misrata, the third largest city in Libya...
from Misrata on loyalist-held cities and villages from the north and east.
This period of the war was its endgame, with Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
's defensive perimeter around Greater Tripoli
Tarabulus District
Tripoli District is one of the 22 first level subdivisions of Libya. Its capital and largest city is Tripoli, the national capital. Tripoli District is in the Tripolitania region of northwestern Libya.History...
collapsing and his government ultimately being routed
Battle of Tripoli (2011)
The Battle of Tripoli was a military confrontation in Tripoli, Libya, between loyalists of Muammar Gaddafi, the longtime leader of Libya, and the National Transitional Council, which was attempting to overthrow Gaddafi and take control of the capital...
from Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
. A number of members of the Gaddafi government were arrested or killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
, including Gaddafi's youngest son Khamis, and a string of its last outposts teetered and eventually fell under the assault of the (effectively) NATO-backed revolutionaries. By the end of September, the National Transitional Council
National Transitional Council
The National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
had won recognition from the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, the Arab League
Arab League
The Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
, and the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
as the legitimate governing authority of Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, asserting control over the vast majority of the country.
As the war entered its momentous final days, the last remaining stronghold of government loyalists was the city 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...
, which Gaddafi declared to be the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya's new capital after the fall of Tripoli. On 20 October, NTC forces that had been arrayed around the ever-shrinking positions occupied by loyalist holdouts made a decisive push
Battle of Sirte (2011)
The Battle of Sirte was a battle of the 2011 Libyan civil war that began when the National Liberation Army attacked forces loyal to ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi in his hometown and designated capital of Sirte, on the Gulf of Sidra...
and took control of the city, capturing Gaddafi as he attempted to flee. Gaddafi, who had been seriously wounded prior to his arrest, died in custody less than an hour later.
16 August
- UN envoy Abdul Ilah KhatibAbdul Ilah Khatib-Early life:Born in 1953, Abdul Ilah Mohammad Khatib or Abdelilah al-Khatib is a former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Jordan. On March 11, 2011 he was appointed as the UN Special envoy to Libya...
met with representatives of both Gaddafi's government and the NTC before leaving Tunisia, but said he did not take part in any direct negotiations between the factions. Spokespersons for both the Gaddafi government and the NTC denied face-to-face meetings between the two opposing governments. - As NTC forces encircled Tripoli, effectively cutting it off, an anonymous Russian diplomat stated that Russia was "deeply disturbed" by the NATO campaign, referring to "the destruction of infrastructure and especially power supplies on territory controlled by the government. In a joint statement, Iranian PresidentPresident of IranThe President of Iran is the highest popularly elected official in, and the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Iran; although subordinate to the Supreme Leader of Iran, who functions as the country's head of state...
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Venezuelan President Hugo ChavezHugo ChávezHugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
went further, denouncing "imperialist aggression" (in both Syria2011 Syrian uprisingThe 2011 Syrian uprising is an ongoing internal conflict occurring in Syria. Protests started on 26 January 2011, and escalated into an uprising by 15 March 2011...
and Libya). - Gaddafi government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim declared that pro-Gaddafi loyalists had retaken Misrata, a claim reported by Xinhua News AgencyXinhua News AgencyThe Xinhua News Agency is the official press agency of the government of the People's Republic of China and the biggest center for collecting information and press conferences in the PRC. It is the largest news agency in the PRC, ahead of the China News Service...
, The Morning Star. The statement was contradicted by continued reports of continued rebel possession of the city, further pacified due to the capture of TaworghaTaworghaTaworgha, , also transliterated Tawarga, Tauorga, Tawergha or Tawurgha, is, as of October 2011, a ghost town in Libya that is under administrative jurisdiction of the city of Misrata, which is 38 kilometers away...
.
- According to the Associated Press, Gaddafi loyalists still held some thirty percent of Zawiya, using a local hospital as a base and forcing doctors to perform around-the-clock surgeries while snipers were perched on the roof and an anti-aircraft gunner was placed at the entrance; civilian patients and occupants were forced out of most quarters by loyalists in order to make way for wounded soldiers and mercenaries.
17 August
- According to Xinhua News Agency, Gaddafi spokesman Moussa Ibrahim claimed that Zawiya and Brega was under full control of the Gaddafi loyalists, denying rebel, NATO and mainstream media reports to the contrary.
- Libyan rebels were in control of seventy percent of Zawiya and had also reached the outskirts of Al-Heisha, they claimed. On the eastern front, rebels said that they had suffered fifteen casualties fighting for Brega.
- A rebel spokesman in the Nafusa Mountains said loyalist forces had abandoned Tiji and Badr and anti-Gaddafi forces had entered both towns.
- Asharq Al-Awsat reported – citing unnamed Libyan sources in Tripoli and Benghazi, WesternWestern worldThe Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
diplomatic sources in CairoCairoCairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Tripoli and TunisTunisTunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, and vaguely described "Arab sources" – that Gaddafi was suffering from an "incurable illness" and was attempting to negotiate a voluntary exile for himself and his family in South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
under the protection of South African PresidentPresident of South AfricaThe President of the Republic of South Africa is the head of state and head of government under South Africa's Constitution. From 1961 to 1994, the head of state was called the State President....
Jacob ZumaJacob ZumaJacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is the President of South Africa, elected by parliament following his party's victory in the 2009 general election....
. The newspaper claimed Gaddafi's chief of staff, Bashir Saleh, had been dispatched to DjerbaDjerbaDjerba , also transliterated as Jerba or Jarbah, is, at 514 km², the largest island of North Africa, located in the Gulf of Gabes, off the coast of Tunisia.-Description:...
, TunisiaTunisiaTunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, and then to BamakoBamakoBamako is the capital of Mali and its largest city with a population of 1.8 million . Currently, it is estimated to be the fastest growing city in Africa and sixth fastest in the world...
, MaliMaliMali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
, to meet with British and French officials about the possibility of Gaddafi being allowed to leave Libya without facing arrest or trial. The report quoted unidentified sources within the NTC as saying, "We do not want the battle to liberate the capital Tripoli to become a massacre, therefore if the price is for [Gaddafi] to leave power safely, then we are prepared to pay this." On TwitterTwitterTwitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
, veteran GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
correspondent Brian WhitakerBrian WhitakerBrian Whitaker has been a journalist for the British newspaper The Guardian since 1987 and its Middle East editor from 2000-2007. He is currently an editor on the paper's "Comment Is Free". He also writes articles for Guardian Unlimited, the internet edition of the paper...
expressed scepticism toward the report, calling it "poorly sourced" and suggesting it may be "disinformation". - SabrathaSabrathaSabratha, Sabratah or Siburata , in the Zawiya District in the northwestern corner of modern Libya, was the westernmost of the "three cities" of Tripolis. From 2001 to 2007 it was the capital of the former Sabratha wa Sorman District. It lies on the Mediterranean coast about west of Tripoli...
was reportedly captured by rebels, according to Xinhua News Agency, with the rebel brigade accepting the surrender of fifteen Gaddafi loyalists. This occurred after NATO bombed the Sabratha army barracks occupied by loyalists. Barada TVBarada TVBarada TV is a London-based, U.S. government-funded Syrian opposition satellite television network....
correspondent Malik al-Abdeh reported that rebels in Sabratha, Sorman and Zawiya formed a joint command to advance on the capital, headquartered from the villa of Khaled K. El-Hamedi. - According to Al Jazeera, the Associated Press reported that rebels had cut off the oil pipeline between Zawiya and Tripoli. Fighting continued between rebels and loyalists, 100 of the latter being holed up in the refinery which is the source of the pipeline.
- Radio France InternationaleRadio France InternationaleRadio France Internationale was created in 1975 as part of Radio France by the Government of France, and replaced the Poste Colonial , Paris Mondial , Radio Paris , RTF Radio Paris and ORTF Radio Paris...
reported that eight ChadChadChad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
ian nationals, seven alleged mercenaries and one purported "recruiter", were arrested in the Chadian village of MassakoryMassakoryMassakory is the capital of the Chadian region of Hadjer-Lamis and of the department of Dagana. The town was formerly in the prefecture of Fort-Lamy in the department of Bas-Chari.-People:...
while attempting to cross the border into Libya via NigerNigerNiger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
in order to fight as mercenaries for Gaddafi. The state prosecutor alleged that the recruiter was offered "a hypothetical promise of FCFACFA francThe CFA franc is the name of two currencies used in Africa which are guaranteed by the French treasury. The two CFA franc currencies are the West African CFA franc and the Central African CFA franc...
4 million (€EuroThe euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
6,100) for each one who crossed the border." This was part of an investigation by Chadian authorities into a suspected underground pipeline for mercenaries between Chad and Libya. - Toubou tribal fighters reportedly captured MurzukMurzukMurzuk is an oasis town and the capital of the Murzuq District in the Fezzan region of southwest Libya. Murzuk lies on the northern edge of the Murzuq Desert, a desert of ergs or great sand dunes, and section of the Sahara Desert.-History:...
, a town in southwest Libya.
18 August
- Reuters reported that the Zawiya oil refinery had been captured by rebel forces.
- Elsewhere, rebels claimed to have captured Haysha, halfway between Misrata and Sirte.
- Reuters reported that rebels had taken the center of GharyanGharyanGharyan District or Garian District was one of the districts of Libya. It was located in the northwest part of the country and its capital was Gharyan. Under the 2007 reorganization of districts, it became part of Jabal al Gharbi District....
, a town 80 kilometres (49.7 mi) south of Tripoli. - Rebels claimed they had secured at least ninety percent of the coastal city of SabrathaSabrathaSabratha, Sabratah or Siburata , in the Zawiya District in the northwestern corner of modern Libya, was the westernmost of the "three cities" of Tripolis. From 2001 to 2007 it was the capital of the former Sabratha wa Sorman District. It lies on the Mediterranean coast about west of Tripoli...
, and had captured the loyalist military base there. - A spokesman for the NTC said the southern Brega suburb of Alargop was entirely in rebel hands.
19 August
- Zliten was taken by rebel forces, who claimed they pushed beyond the western edge of the city to the outskirts of Khoms.
- The centre of Zawiya, Martyrs Square, was taken by rebel forces after a fierce battle.
- Reuters reported that Former Libyan Prime Minister (1972–1977) Abdessalam JalloudAbdessalam JalloudAbdessalam Jalloud was the Prime Minister of Libya from 16 July 1972 to 2 March 1977. He was also Finance Minister from 1970 until 1972....
defected to rebel-held Zintan. - The Associated Press reported that rebels claimed that Brega was now completely under rebel control.
- The Libyan embassy in BrasiliaBrasíliaBrasília is the capital city of Brazil. The name is commonly spelled Brasilia in English. The city and its District are located in the Central-West region of the country, along a plateau known as Planalto Central. It has a population of about 2,557,000 as of the 2008 IBGE estimate, making it the...
, Brazil was stormed by protesters supporting the Libyan rebels. The Flag of Libya was torn down and replaced with the National Transitional Council flag. During the protest, there was a reported brawl between protesters and embassy officials.
20 August
- The Tunisian Army fought a battle with a group of "unknown Libyans" using armed trucks near DouzDouzDouz is a town in central Tunisia, known as the "gateway to the Sahara." In previous times it was an important stop on the trans-Saharan caravan routes...
, a town in central Tunisia. The Libyans fled after the battle. - Rebel forces captured the centre of Brega after much fighting.
- Rebel forces captured Zawiya and reached 'Aziziya.
- According to witnesses rebel supporters clashed with pro-Gaddafi security forces in Tripoli amid sustained explosions and gunfire.
- Late on 20 August, rebels inside Tripoli began a general uprising against Gaddafi after a speech by Mahmoud Jebril.
21 August
- Local rebels launched an assault on the Mitiga International Airport (late on 20/early on 21 August), 8 kilometres (5 mi) east of Tripoli's city centre, amidst rumors that Gaddafi had fled.
- From Zawiya, rebel units began a push toward Tripoli from the eastern gate of Zawiya. Fighting was being reported east of Zawiya, particularly in an area known as the 27 km Bridge (east of the town of Al Maya).
- Rebels seized Joudaim east of Zawiya and advanced rapidly towards the capital, taking several villages along the way.
- On 20 August, the Associated Press reported that Tunisia had recognised the NTC as "the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people".
- Celebrations broke out in Benghazi in response to the conflicts in and around Tripoli.
- Rebels were forced to retreat from Al MayaAl MayaAl Maya is a settlement in Libya. On 21 August 2011 rebels fighting in the 2011 Libyan civil war advanced on the town but were pushed back by heavy artillery...
after coming under "very heavy incoming fire" from Loyalist artillery. - German sources reported that rebels were moving towards Tripoli and Gaddafi had possibly left for the Algerian border. However, Gaddafi denied these claims, saying in an audio message that he will stay in Tripoli "until the end".
- The rebels captured a military barracks, which housed the elite Khamis BrigadeKhamis BrigadeThe Khamis Brigade, formally the 32nd Reinforced Brigade of the Armed People, was a special forces brigade of the Libyan military loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, the de-facto leader of Libya since 1969...
, 27 kilometres (16.8 mi) west of Tripoli, as well as weapons and ammo left behind by retreating loyalists. - Rebels from the west entered Tripoli's Janzur suburb.
- Rebels took Green Square in Tripoli's city centre with almost no resistance from loyalist forces.
- Agence France-Presse reported of revolutionary forces allegedly to be in control of the Ras Ajdir border crossing in the west.
22 August
- South African Foreign MinisterMinister of International Relations and CooperationThe Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is the foreign minister of the South African government, with political responsibility for South Africa's foreign relations and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation...
Maite Nkoana-MashabaneMaite Nkoana-MashabaneMaite Emily Nkoana-Mashabane is a South African politician. She has been South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation since May 2009, taking over from Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. She is also a member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress...
categorically denied the existence of any South African planes being parked at Tripoli International Airport. The rumour had persisted due to reported sightings of such planes by Tripoli residents. - Rebels confirmed their capture of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who, alongside his father Muammar and intelligence chief Abdullah SenussiAbdullah SenussiAbdullah Senussi is a Libyan national who was the intelligence chief and brother-in-law of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. He was married to Gaddafi's sister-in-law....
, was wanted for trial by the ICC, which confirmed his capture by rebels and initiated negotiations with the NTC regarding his possible transfer to ICC custody. - Muhammad Gaddafi and Al-Saadi Gaddafi, two other Gaddafi sons, were also reportedly captured and detained by rebels; Muhammad gave a phone interview with Al Jazeera while under house arrest, only for listeners to overhear gunfire inside his residence before the phone cut off. Muhammad, while captured, was reportedly later freed from rebel custody by members of the Khamis Brigade in a gun battle with rebels.
- According to the NTC, only twenty percent of Tripoli remained under pro-Gaddafi rule.
- The government of NigerGovernment of NigerThe government of Niger is the apparatus through which authority functions and is exercised: the governing apparatus of Nigerien state. The current system of governance, since the Constitution 18 July 1999, is termed the Fifth Republic of Niger. It is a semi-presidential republic, whereby the...
decided to start air patrols over its border with Libya to avoid infiltration of its territory by armed groups from Libya and crossing the border by mercenaries from SahelSahelThe Sahel is the ecoclimatic and biogeographic zone of transition between the Sahara desert in the North and the Sudanian Savannas in the south.It stretches across the North African continent between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea....
heading to Sabha, to end smuggle of military elements and recourses out of Libya. - A NATO plane shot down a second Scud missile fired from Sirte.
- The Polish Press AgencyPolish Press AgencyPolish Press Agency is a Poland's news agency owned by Polska Agencja Prasowa S.A., distributing political, economic, social, and cultural press releases as well as events info and online news, in a similar way to Reuters, Agence France-Presse and AP....
reported that unofficially the Polish government could have supplied the rebels with anti-tank rocket launchers and military vehicles "some months ago" and officers of Polish Special Forces were helping in direct operations. - The Colombian governmentGovernment of ColombiaThe government of Colombiais a republic with separation of powers into executive, judicial and legislative branches.Its legislature has a congress,its judiciary has a supreme court, andits executive branch has a president....
recognized the NTC as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people. - Saif al-Islam Gaddafi appeared before news reporters in Tripoli that night to dispel the rumours of his capture. The NTC later commented, on Al Jazeera English, that the "escape" probably was due to "inexperienced youth" and a lack of "structured military guard".
23 August
- Rebels took control of Ra's Lanuf and advanced towards Bin Jawad and Sirte.
- By the afternoon, Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr confirmed that rebels were in control of Green Square, now called Martyrs' Square by the rebels. She said that heavy clashes were taking place in Mansoura as well as about 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) from Bab al-AziziaBab al-AziziaBab al-Azizia was a military barracks and compound, situated in the southern suburbs of Tripoli, the capital of Libya. It served as the main base for the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi until its capture by anti-Gaddafi rebels on 23 August 2011, during the Battle of Tripoli in the Libyan...
. - Later on, an Al Jazeera correspondent said that rebels entered the first gate of Bab al-Azizia, although it is unclear how close the correspondent was to Bab al-Azizia to verify it. Russia TodayRussia TodayRussia Today may refer to:* Russia Today, an English language 24-hour television news channel from Russia. It was launched in 2005 and is not related to an online news service of the similar name operated by EIN News...
confirmed the story later with live footage. - Bab al-Azizia was completely overrun by rebels after defeating loyalists based there, and the opposition flag flew from the main building.
- Despite having gained control of the majority of the Abu Salim district, rebels had yet to reach the Rixos Al Nasr hotel area, where a significant number of Gaddafi loyalists were holding foreign journalists prisoner.
- Gaddafi government spokesman Moussa IbrahimMoussa IbrahimMoussa Ibrahim is a Libyan political figure, serving as Libyan Minister of Information and the official spokesman for Muammar Gaddafi as of March 2011. He came to general international attention during the 2011 Libyan civil war.-Biography:...
spoke to a Syrian television station by telephone to say that "[d]espite the presence of NATO gangs in some areas of Tripoli, our military, operational and civilian position is very strong and we are capable of continuing fighting not just for days or weeks, but for months or years."
24 August
- Bayardo Arce, the economic adviser of Nicaraguan PresidentPresident of NicaraguaThe position of President of Nicaragua was created in the Constitution of 1854. From 1825 until the Constitution of 1838 the title of the position was known as Head of State and from 1838 to 1854 as Supreme Director .-Heads of State of Nicaragua within the Federal Republic of Central America...
Daniel OrtegaDaniel OrtegaJosé Daniel Ortega Saavedra is a Nicaraguan politician and revolutionary, currently serving as the 83rd President of Nicaragua, a position that he has held since 2007. He previously served as the 79th President, between 1985 and 1990, and for much of his life, has been a leader in the Sandinista...
, said that the Nicaraguan governmentGovernment of NicaraguaNicaragua is a constitutional democracy with executive, legislative, judicial, and electoral branches of government. The President of Nicaragua is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in the National Assembly. The...
was considering offering Gaddafi asylum. - Also, Djibril BassoléDjibril BassoléDjibrill Yipènè Bassolé is a Burkinabé political figure and diplomat. He served in the government of Burkina Faso as Minister of Security from November 2000 to June 2007 and as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation from June 2007 to September 2008...
, the foreign minister of Burkina FasoBurkina FasoBurkina Faso – also known by its short-form name Burkina – is a landlocked country in west Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest.Its size is with an estimated...
, offered Gaddafi asylum. - According to Al Jazeera and Reuters, gunfire and tankfire was launched on the rebel-occupied Bab al-Azizia compound from the suburb of Abu Salim in Tripoli.
- French President Sarkozy declared he had invited several countries to talks in Paris on 1 September regarding plans for the future of Libya, including all nations that took part on the conflict and major countries who had taken a neutral stance so far including BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaChina , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. - Reuters reported that during a live interview with Al Arabiya, General Khalifa Muhammad Ali, the Libyan deputy intelligence chief under Gaddafi, announced his resignation and defection to the opposition forces.
25 August
- Four Italian journalists who had been kidnapped the previous day in Zawiyahwere freed from a Tripoli apartment building, according to Guido de Sanctis, the Italian consul in Benghazi; two worked for the Corriere della SeraCorriere della SeraThe Corriere della Sera is an Italian daily newspaper, published in Milan.It is among the oldest and most reputable Italian newspapers. Its main rivals are Rome's La Repubblica and Turin's La Stampa.- History :...
and two others for La StampaLa StampaLa Stampa is one of the best-known, most influential and most widely sold Italian daily newspapers. Published in Turin, it is distributed in Italy and other European nations. The current owner is the Fiat Group.-History:...
and AvvenireAvvenireAvvenire is an Italian daily newspaper affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. It was founded in 1968 in Milan through the merger of two Catholic magazines: L'Avvenire d'Italia of Bologna and l'Italia of Milan.-History:...
newspapers. The Libyan driver who had been driving them near the city was killed in the kidnapping. - Rebels launched an offensive against loyalists in Abu SalimAbu Salim (Tripoli district)Abu Salim is a district of Tripoli located in the south of the city. Located in the district is the Abu Salim prison.It became a focal point of fighting during the 2011 Battle of Tripoli, as loyalists concentrated inside the area as over 1,000 rebels crowded around the Abu Salim district by 25...
district, which rebels believed to be where members of the Gaddafi family were hiding. In the evening, after fierce fighting, rebel forces overrun Abu Salim. Nevertheless, small pockets of resistance remained and loyalist snipers still occupied isolated buildings in neighbouring areas. - The bullet-ridden bodies of thirty men, believed to be Gaddafi loyalist fighters, were found at a military encampment in central Tripoli, with two of the bodies being bound in handcuffs, potentially marking an execution.
- Al Jazeera reported that rebels gained firm control of the former intelligence-services headquarters in Tripoli.
26 August
- Rebels claimed to have gained control of the desert village of Al WighAl WighAl Wigh is a small Saharan desert oasis airfield and army outpost in the Fezzan region of southwest Libya. It is about 975 kilometres south of the country's capital, Tripoli....
near Libya's southern border. - The NTC officially announced its move of operations to Tripoli.
- The bodies of fifteen loyalist-imprisoned pro-rebel political activists were found at a hospital in Tripoli. The bodies showed evidence of torture and a last-minute mass execution by gunfire.
- Reuters reported that a convoy of six armoured MercedesMercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
cars crossed the border into AlgeriaAlgeriaAlgeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
near GhadamesGhadamesGhadames or Ghadamis is an oasis town in the Nalut District of the Fezzan region in southwestern Libya.-Geography:Ghadames lies roughly to the southwest of Tripoli, near the borders with Algeria and Tunisia. Ghadames borders Illizi Province, Algeria and Tataouine Governorate, Tunisia.The oasis...
, according to the Egyptian Middle East News Agency, citing a rebel military spokesman for the oasis town. There was speculation that the convoy could have been transporting high members of Gaddafi's government including Gaddafi. - Al Jazeera reported that anti-Gaddafi forces took control of the Ras Ajdir border crossing with Tunisia.
27 August
- Al Jazeera reported that late in the day, the NLA finally seized control of Bin JawadBin JawadBin Jawad , also known as Bin Jawwād, Bin Quwad is a town with estimated 8,488 inhabitants in the Sirte District in Libya. It is approximately half way between Benghazi and Misrata...
on its push westward toward SirteSirteSirte 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 Associated PressAssociated PressThe Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
reported that Moussa Ibrahim had called AP's world headquarters in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, to relay an offer for negotiations between the NTC and Al-Saadi Gaddafi on a "transfer of power".
28 August
- An Associated Press reporter confirmed that about 50 charred bodies were at a Tripoli site where a man who purportedly escaped the massacre said pro-Gaddafi troops used hand grenades and guns to kill 130 civilian detainees as anti-Gaddafi forces marched on the city.
- The NTC categorically rejected Ibrahim's offer for negotiations, with a top official saying the NTC "can offer [Gaddafi] only two things: safety and a fair trial". Mahmoud Shammam said, "We're not talking to [Gaddafi]. We're going to arrest him."
- NTC Justice Minister Mohammed al-Alagi said the council would not allow any Libyan to be deported to face trial in another country, including Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the convicted bomber of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103Pan Am Flight 103Pan Am Flight 103 was Pan American World Airways' third daily scheduled transatlantic flight from London Heathrow Airport to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport...
.
29 August
- The Algerian government confirmed that several Gaddafi family members had crossed into Algeria. They were identified as his wife Safia FarkashSafia FarkashSafia Farkash , is the widow of the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and mother of seven of his eight biological children. Her independent wealth is reported at US$30Bn.-Early life:...
, his daughter Ayesha Gaddafi and two of his sons Hannibal Muammar GaddafiHannibal Muammar GaddafiHannibal Muammar Gaddafi is the fourth son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his second wife, Safia Farkash.-Biography:Gaddafi started his maritime career by joining the Marine Academy of Maritime Studies/Libya in 1993 as a Deck Cadet...
and Muhammad Gaddafi, along with their families. - An Al Jazeera correspondent, reporting live from Nofaliya, a town in the Sirte District, said that anti-Gaddafi forces were in full control of the town after driving out loyalist troops.
- The Italian news agency Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata reported that Khamis Gaddafi, Gaddafi's youngest son, had "almost certainly" been killed in a firefight, either by anti-Gaddafi fighters or by an Apache helicopter gunship that fired on a car allegedly carrying him near Tarhuna.
- The NTC warned that if the Algerian government provided asylum to any member of the Gaddafi family, it would be viewed as "an act against the Libyan people".
- Protests broke out in Misrata after reports that Libyan Prime Minister and NTC Chairman Mahmoud JibrilMahmoud JibrilMahmoud Jibril el-Warfally , also transcribed Jabril or Jebril or Gebril, is a Libyan politician who served as the interim Prime Minister of Libya for seven and a half months during the 2011 Libyan civil war, chairing the executive board of the National Transitional Council from 5 March 2011 to 23...
would appoint former Gaddafi army general Albarrani Shkal – suspected of leading the Khamis BrigadeKhamis BrigadeThe Khamis Brigade, formally the 32nd Reinforced Brigade of the Armed People, was a special forces brigade of the Libyan military loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, the de-facto leader of Libya since 1969...
in the Battle of MisrataBattle of MisrataThe Battle of Misrata was a battle of the 2011 Libyan civil war between pro-Gaddafi loyalists and anti-Gaddafi forces, which held Misrata, the third largest city in Libya...
earlier in the year – as Mistrata's head of security. Misrata's local council said that if Shkal was appointed, Misratan fighters would refuse to take orders from the NTC. - Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported that Agence France-Presse, citing sources in MaliMaliMali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
and NigerNigerNiger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
, reported that hundreds of armed Tuareg mercenaries as well as naturalised Libyan citizens of Malian origin were beginning to return from fighting with Gaddafi's army to their countries of origin, generating fears that a new SahelSahelThe Sahel is the ecoclimatic and biogeographic zone of transition between the Sahara desert in the North and the Sudanian Savannas in the south.It stretches across the North African continent between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea....
ian conflict could start if the battle-hardened fighters linked up with Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic MaghrebAl-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic MaghrebThe Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb, previously known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat is a radical Islamist militia which aims to overthrow the Algerian government and institute an Islamic state. To that end, it is currently engaged in an insurgent campaign.The group...
, took up arms against their home governments or clashed with other groups in the region.
30 August
- At a press conference in Benghazi, Jalil, the NTC leader, announced a general ultimatum directed at the forces still loyal to Gaddafi, in Sirte and other places. If these forces would not, by 3 September, give a "peaceful indication" of their intention to surrender, "we will decide this manner militarily", he said.
1 September
- The NTC extended its ultimatum to pro-Gaddafi forces in Sirte for another week.
- One of Gaddafi's sons, Saif al-Islam, reportedly said he would fight to the death while another, Saadi, was said to be negotiating with the rebels. Gaddafi was reported to have tried to flee to Algeria.
3 September
- According to Agence France-Presse, a large military column from the NLA moved to within 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) of Bani WalidBani WalidBani Walid or Ben Walid, prior to 2007, was one of the districts of Libya. In the 2007 administrative reorganization the territory formerly in Bani Walid District was transferred to Misrata District.Bani Walid bordered the following districts:...
, thought to be Gaddafi's stronghold. Out on a reconnaissance mission, the column saw no trace of the Khamis Brigade, presumed to be positioned in and around the city. The column, 200 vehicles and 600 people strong, entered the hamlet of Wadi Mardum, before turning back to its Misrata base later on the day. The AFP reported there had been no gunfighting, only three arrests of people carrying light weapons. - In the wake of the expiring ultimatum (see 30 August above) – an ultimatum that was later extended only concerning Sirte – The Daily TelegraphThe Daily TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
reported that the forces loyal to the NTC were put on stand-by to move on Bani Walid. Furthermore, it said a source close to the NTC had stated that the local tribal leaders had agreed to hand over the town, after forcing pro-Gaddafi troops to leave.
4 September
- Al Jazeera English reported that an NTC negotiator, in talks with Bani Walid's local administration, said that negotiations had finally reached a stalemate. He said that the NLA forces positioned around Bani Walid now only waited for a go-ahead from military headquarters, to begin an attack on the city within the coming twenty-four hours.
- Citing documents discovered by a Canadian journalist, the NTC accused Chinese state companies of trying to sell $200 million worth of various weapons, munitions, launchers and munitions on July 16. Apparently, it had been suggested by the Chinese companies that Algeria and South Africa could play the roles of middle men. A spokesman for the NTC forces, Abdulrahman Busin, said in an interview that "We have hard evidence of deals going on between China and Gaddafi, and we have all the documents to prove it" and added both that rebels had other documents as well (saying "I can think of at least 10 off the top of my head"), and that it would harm relations between NTC-controlled Libya and China.
5 September
- Two of Gaddafi's sons, Saif al-Islam and Mutassim Gaddafi, are reported to have left Bani Walid for unknown destinations farther south. Mustafa Abdul JalilMustafa Abdul JalilMustafa Abdul Jalil or Abdul-Jalil is the Chairman of the National Transitional Council of Libya, and as such serves as head of state in Libya's caretaker government which was formed as a result of the 2011 Libyan civil war. He is also a spokesman for the city of Bayda...
, Head of Libya's interim government said they had been blocking the surrender of Bani Walid (also see 3 September above). - The rebels claimed Mansour Daw, Gaddafi's chief of security, is reported to have entered the city of AgadezAgadez-Sources:* Aboubacar Adamou. "Agadez et sa région. Contribution à l'étude du Sahel et du Sahara nigériens", Études nigériennes, n°44, , 358 p.* Julien Brachet. Migrations transsahariennes. Vers un désert cosmopolite et morcelé . Paris: Le Croquant, , 324 p. ISBN : 978-2-91496865-2.*. Saudi Aaramco...
in northern NigerNigerNiger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
with 10 other people. - An armed convoy of 200 to 250 vehicles from Libya crossed the border into Niger on 5 September. Quoting unnamed sources, Reuters said this might be a deal between the NTC and Gaddafi brokered by France for Gaddafi to leave Libya. Such a convoy could not have moved safely without the knowledge and agreement of the NATO.
- The foreign minister of Niger, Mohamed BazoumMohamed BazoumMohamed Bazoum is a Nigerien politician who has served in the government of Niger as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs since April 2011; previously he was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1996. He is the Vice-President of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism...
told the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
that Gaddafi was not with the convoy.
6 September
- NLA claimed that troops advanced 8 km towards Sirte, suffering one fatality in fierce clashes and killing one loyalist and injuring another and lost one rebel. NATO destroyed three loyalist vehicles during the engagement.
- The Attorney General of BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
blocked the assets of Gaddafi in Banco ABC Brasil and firm ABC Brasil Distribuidora de Títulos e Valores Mobiliários controlled by Central Bank of LibyaCentral Bank of LibyaThe Central Bank of Libya is the monetary authority in Libya and enjoys the status of autonomous corporate body. The law establishing the CBL stipulates that the objectives of the central bank shall be to maintain monetary stability in Libya , and to promote the sustained growth of the economy in...
and Arab Banking Corporation, which supported accounts of Gaddafi's government members.
7 September
- NTC envoys asked Niger not to allow fugitive loyalists across the border.
- The Pentagon said it had no indication that Gaddafi had left Libya.
8 September
- Anti-Gaddafi forces claimed to have taken the Red Valley east of SirteSirteSirte 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...
.
9 September
- Niger security sources said that the commander of the southern forces of the Libyan ArmyLibyan ArmyIn 2009 the IISS estimated that the Ground Forces of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya numbered 25,000 with an additional, estimated, 25,000 conscripts...
, General Ali Kana, and the commander of the Libyan Air ForceLibyan Air ForceThe Libyan Air Force is the branch of the Libyan Armed Forces responsible for aerial warfare. In 2010, before the 2011 Libyan civil war, the Libyan Air Force personnel strength was estimated at 18,000, with an inventory of 374 combat capable aircraft operating from 13 military airbases in...
, General Ali Sharif al-RifiAli Sharif al-RifiGeneral Ali Sharif al-Rifi was the commander of the Libyan Air Force until 2011 when his air force was destroyed by the NATO attacks during the Libyan civil war...
have fled to Niger. - Interpol has issued an arrest warrant for Colonel Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and his chief of espionage Abdullah SenussiAbdullah SenussiAbdullah Senussi is a Libyan national who was the intelligence chief and brother-in-law of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. He was married to Gaddafi's sister-in-law....
. - Anti-Gaddafi forces entered Bani WalidBani WalidBani Walid or Ben Walid, prior to 2007, was one of the districts of Libya. In the 2007 administrative reorganization the territory formerly in Bani Walid District was transferred to Misrata District.Bani Walid bordered the following districts:...
after pro-Gaddafi forces' rocket attack caused a number of casualties.
10 September
- NATO struck five times around Bani Walid, where firefights had been taking place. Gaddafi's soldiers were still in the northern and western part of the town of Bani Walid.
- International Monetary FundInternational Monetary FundThe International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
recognized the National Council as the only government of Libya and the Group of Eight offered 38 billion dollars to Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Jordan to 2013 and 35 billion to Libya.
11 September
- Fighting continued in Bani Walid, with some citizens running away from the town. Fighting in Sirte was reported to be taking place too.
- Anti-Gaddafi forces said they arrested Abuzed Omar DordaAbuzed Omar DordaAbuzed Omar Dorda was General Secretary of the People's Committee of Libya from 7 October 1990 to 29 January 1994, and as Libya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1997 to 2003....
, chief of intelligence in Gaddafi's government. - Leader of the National Transitional Council Mustafa Abdul JalilMustafa Abdul JalilMustafa Abdul Jalil or Abdul-Jalil is the Chairman of the National Transitional Council of Libya, and as such serves as head of state in Libya's caretaker government which was formed as a result of the 2011 Libyan civil war. He is also a spokesman for the city of Bayda...
arrived in Tripoli for the first time since the Battle of Tripoli. - Mahmoud JibrilMahmoud JibrilMahmoud Jibril el-Warfally , also transcribed Jabril or Jebril or Gebril, is a Libyan politician who served as the interim Prime Minister of Libya for seven and a half months during the 2011 Libyan civil war, chairing the executive board of the National Transitional Council from 5 March 2011 to 23...
, chairman of the executive board of the National Transitional Council, said that Libya had restarted production of oil. - Guinea-BissauGuinea-BissauThe Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west....
Prime Minister Carlos Gomes JúniorCarlos Gomes JúniorCarlos Domingos Gomes Júnior is the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau. He was previously Prime Minister from 10 May 2004 to 2 November 2005, and he was again appointed to that post on 25 December 2008...
offered political asylum to Gaddafi, calling him a "friend of Guinea-Bissau". - NigerNigerNiger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
ien Minister of Justice Marou Adamou said that Al-Saadi Gaddafi, one of Muammar Gaddafi's sons, had fled to Niger together with at least eight other Libyans. He claimed that Nigerien forces had "intercepted" the convoy en route to AgadezAgadez-Sources:* Aboubacar Adamou. "Agadez et sa région. Contribution à l'étude du Sahel et du Sahara nigériens", Études nigériennes, n°44, , 358 p.* Julien Brachet. Migrations transsahariennes. Vers un désert cosmopolite et morcelé . Paris: Le Croquant, , 324 p. ISBN : 978-2-91496865-2.*. Saudi Aaramco...
, but did not explain further. - The Sunday Telegraph published a report claiming that ethnic cleansingEthnic cleansingEthnic cleansing is a purposeful policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove by violent and terror-inspiring means the civilian population of another ethnic orreligious group from certain geographic areas....
had occurred in TaworghaTaworghaTaworgha, , also transliterated Tawarga, Tauorga, Tawergha or Tawurgha, is, as of October 2011, a ghost town in Libya that is under administrative jurisdiction of the city of Misrata, which is 38 kilometers away...
, with anti-Gaddafi fighters of the Misrata Brigade forcing the town's mostly blackBlack peopleThe term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
inhabitants to leave their homes.
12 September
- See also Ra's Lanuf raidRa's Lanuf raidThe Ra's Lanuf raid was a hit-and-run attack carried out in the early morning of 12 September 2011 by two groups of Muammar Gaddafi's loyalists in an apparently coordinated effort to disrupt oil refinery and export operations in the National Transitional Council-administered port town of Ra's...
article- Pro-Gaddafi forces (reportedly coming from either the west around Sirte or the desert south), deceptively sporting National Transitional CouncilNational Transitional CouncilThe National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
coloured flags, launched a raidRa's Lanuf raidThe Ra's Lanuf raid was a hit-and-run attack carried out in the early morning of 12 September 2011 by two groups of Muammar Gaddafi's loyalists in an apparently coordinated effort to disrupt oil refinery and export operations in the National Transitional Council-administered port town of Ra's...
on the Ra's LanufRa's LanufRa'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...
oil refinery, resulting in the death of at least 17 anti-Gaddafi forces. At least five loyalist saboteurs were reported having been killed in the clashes, and the loyalists were forced to retreat back west/south. - Anti-Gaddafi fighters patrolling outside Tripoli discovered four cruise missileCruise missileA cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...
s and a missile launcher aimed at the city, Sky NewsSky NewsSky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
reported. The munitions were evidently left by Gaddafi-loyal forces, and anti-Gaddafi troops expressed concern that other missiles may still be in the hands of holdouts and could be fired against the capital. - The People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaChina , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
recognised the National Transitional Council as the only Libyan government.
- Pro-Gaddafi forces (reportedly coming from either the west around Sirte or the desert south), deceptively sporting National Transitional Council
14 September
- Anti-Gaddafi forces said they were considering resorting to heavy weapons to fight their way into Bani Walid. Civilians to flee the city ahead of the imminent military assault against the estimated 1,200 loyalist troops in the city.
- An NTC Commander said an anti-Gaddafi column 500 strong had captured the military air-base at Brak in south-central Libya, some 50 kilometres north of Sabha. The NTC commander (Ahamda Almagri) also said two Gaddafi loyalists were arrested, while 70 loyalists fled the air-base, the second-largest in the south of Libya.
15 September
- Anti-Gaddafi forces mounted an assault against Sirte, but appeared to withdraw after sustaining casualties.
16 September
- Anti-Gaddafi forces entered Bani Walid and Sirte, but were pulled back under heavy fire from loyalists.
- Anti-Gaddafi forces took control of Sirte airport and pushed into the city itself. Fighters used rockets to eliminate resistance from heavily armed snipers in houses and on rooftops.
- United Nations Security CouncilUnited Nations Security CouncilThe United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
unlocked Libyan petrol companies' accounts, allowed sales of weapons to Libya and allowed the resumption of flights by Libyan officials. - President of Guinea-Bissau Malam Bacai SanháMalam Bacai SanháMalam Bacai Sanhá is a Guinea-Bissau politician who has been President of Guinea-Bissau since 8 September 2009. A member of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde , Sanhá was President of the National People's Assembly from 1994 to 1999 and then served as acting President...
said his country would likely not allow Gaddafi to receive political asylum, as Guinea-Bissau is looking to have favourable bilateral relations with the new Libyan government.
20 September
- CNN News reported that NTC forces have captured the airport, the citadel and much of Sabha. Sabha is the largest town in Libyan Sahara and the gateway to countries like Niger and Chad.
22 September
- NTC military sources claimed that anti-Gaddafi forces had taken control of Sabha and had captured three oasis towns; Al-Jufra - Hun, Waddan and Sokna. This cuts off an escape route for Gaddafi troops from Sirte and Bani Walid to the southern desert and to Niger.
- The National Liberation Army found two warehouses containing thousands of barrels and plastic bags of yellowcakeYellowcakeYellowcake is a kind of uranium concentrate powder obtained from leach solutions, in an intermediate step in the processing of uranium ores. Yellowcake concentrates are prepared by various extraction and refining methods, depending on the types of ores...
near Sabha.
24 September
- The NTC claimed that 30 Anti-Gaddafi fighters were killed and another 50 were wounded since the start of the siege at Bani WalidBattle of Bani WalidThe Battle of Bani Walid was a military operation in the 2011 Libyan civil war conducted by anti-Gaddafi forces in September and October 2011, in an effort to take control of the desert city of Bani Walid from pro-Gaddafi forces...
, but other reports put the number closer to 40 dead and more than 120 wounded.
26 September
- The main NTC eastern assault body fought their way to 10 kilometers east of Sirte and then reached the outskirts of the city a few hours later.
27 September
- The NTC army took control over Sirte's port 2 km to the east of the city proper. One of the members of Sirte's authorities made a contact with NTC's army to offer negotiations.
- The National Transitional Council decided not to create a transitional government until the end of the war.
28 September
- It is rumoured Gaddafi was close to GhadamesGhadamesGhadames or Ghadamis is an oasis town in the Nalut District of the Fezzan region in southwestern Libya.-Geography:Ghadames lies roughly to the southwest of Tripoli, near the borders with Algeria and Tunisia. Ghadames borders Illizi Province, Algeria and Tataouine Governorate, Tunisia.The oasis...
in far western Libya, Saif al-Islam in Bani Walid, and Moatassim in Sirte.
29 September
- A "Tripoli Support Group" has been formed by concerned citizens. More than a month after Tripoli was liberatedBattle of Tripoli (2011)The Battle of Tripoli was a military confrontation in Tripoli, Libya, between loyalists of Muammar Gaddafi, the longtime leader of Libya, and the National Transitional Council, which was attempting to overthrow Gaddafi and take control of the capital...
by militias loyal to the National Transitional CouncilNational Transitional CouncilThe National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
, hundreds of armed fighters still drive around the streets of the Libyan capital, and anti-aircraft fire and gunshots can still be heard around town. The support group want the armed brigadiers out and a civilian police force in, reports Associated PressAssociated PressThe Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
.
30 September
- The NTC claims to have captured Gaddafi-government spokesperson Moussa IbrahimMoussa IbrahimMoussa Ibrahim is a Libyan political figure, serving as Libyan Minister of Information and the official spokesman for Muammar Gaddafi as of March 2011. He came to general international attention during the 2011 Libyan civil war.-Biography:...
outside of SirteSirteSirte 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...
. He was trying to flee dressed as a woman. The claim of Moussa Ibrahim's capture was later proven false. A NTC spokesman Adel Ghulaek described the rumor as a "trick spread by the Gaddafi loyalists."
1 October
- For the first time during the siege Red Cross representatives were able to visit Sirte and deliver medical supplies to the city. The situation was described as a dire one. The fighting and NATO airstrikes were preventing people from reaching the hospital and the hospital itself is suffering from a lack of oxygen and fuel for the generator.
3 October
- According to two spokesmen from the NTC, the council has already finalized a slate of Cabinet ministers for Libya's new government. The names of those in the new Cabinet are expected to be released soon.
7 October
- The BBC reported that NTC forces had taken most of Sirte. However Gaddafi loyalists were still holding out at the Ouagadougou Conference CentreSirte DeclarationThe Sirte Declaration was the resolution adopted by the Organisation of African Unity on 9 September 1999, at the fourth Extraordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of African Heads of State and Government held at Sirte, Libya...
which had become the main focal point of fighting.
9 October
- NTC fighters were reported to have taken the Ouagadougou Conference Centre, the university and the main hospital in Sirte. Pro-Gaddafi troops were said to hold only the Gaddafi palace complex, some residential buildings and a hotel near Green Square in the city centre.
11 October
- Pro Gaddafi forces in Sirte were reported to be running low on resources to continue their resistance and that many of the loyalists were surrendering, as they were "emaciated, exhausted and defeated".
12 October
- It was reported that Mutassim Gaddafi was residing in the al-Dollar area of Sirte and that the entire eastern half of the city was under NTC control, including the main square and the police headquarters. The NTC also claimed that Sirte could fall within days.
15 October
- NTC forces advance in Sirte seemed to slow down, whilst in Bani Walid, fighting intensified as NTC fighters began to gain more ground, having taken control of the eastern front of the city and besieged the loyalists in the so called "olive tree region" who were running low on ammunition. NTC commanders on the ground claimed that the "liberation" of the city was imminent.
- At least 3 NTC fighters were killed in clashes in Sirte and 16 others wounded.
16 October
- Bani Walid's hospital fell to NTC fighters after heavy clashes. The Al-Gorjoma district in the south of the city was also taken by the NTC forces.
- NTC forces launched a fresh assault in Sirte, using tanks and other heavy weapons in an attempt to dislodge loyalist resistance.
18 October
- Within 15 minutes of the beginning of an NTC assault against loyalists in part of Sirte, the NTC forces had suffered 23 injuries in the mid morning battle due gunfire, as well as rocket and mortar attacks.
19 October
- NTC forces launched a renewed assault on remaining loyalist forces remaining in Sirte after being pushed back the previous day. NTC forces bombarded Sirte with grad rockets, tank cannons and mortars. Many of the NTC fighters believed that Gaddafi himself may have been hiding in Sirte, judging by the strong resistance they were encountering.
20 October - Gaddafi's Capture and Death
- According to eyewitnesses and reporters, Libya's transitional government soldiers took full control of Sirte, the last major city under Gaddafi loyalists' control. Muammar GaddafiMuammar GaddafiMuammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
was captured alive by NTC forces in Sirte but suffered wounds to the head, abdomen, and both legs. He diedDeath of Muammar GaddafiMuammar Gaddafi, the deposed leader of Libya, died on 20 October 2011 during the 2011 Libyan civil war. Gaddafi was captured alive after his convoy was attacked by NATO warplanes as Sirte fell on 20 October 2011. He was then beaten and killed by NTC forces...
in custody less than an hour later, while in transit to Misrata.
23 October - Civil War Officially Ended
- At a ceremony in BenghaziBenghaziBenghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
, where the revolution had begun eight months before, NTC Chairman Mustafa Abdul JalilMustafa Abdul JalilMustafa Abdul Jalil or Abdul-Jalil is the Chairman of the National Transitional Council of Libya, and as such serves as head of state in Libya's caretaker government which was formed as a result of the 2011 Libyan civil war. He is also a spokesman for the city of Bayda...
officially declared Libya to be "liberated" and the war to be over. - Prime Minister Mahmoud JibrilMahmoud JibrilMahmoud Jibril el-Warfally , also transcribed Jabril or Jebril or Gebril, is a Libyan politician who served as the interim Prime Minister of Libya for seven and a half months during the 2011 Libyan civil war, chairing the executive board of the National Transitional Council from 5 March 2011 to 23...
stepped down, fulfilling a promise he had to leave government after the fall of Sirte. He said he believed a new interim government would be constituted within a month. - Human Rights WatchHuman Rights WatchHuman Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
observers discovered 53 bodies of Gaddafi supporters in Sirte, apparently executed by NTC forces.
See also
- 2011 military intervention in Libya2011 military intervention in LibyaOn 19 March 2011, a multi-state coalition began a military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which was taken in response to events during the 2011 Libyan civil war...
- Battle of Tripoli (2011)Battle of Tripoli (2011)The Battle of Tripoli was a military confrontation in Tripoli, Libya, between loyalists of Muammar Gaddafi, the longtime leader of Libya, and the National Transitional Council, which was attempting to overthrow Gaddafi and take control of the capital...
- 2011 Libyan rebel coastal offensive2011 Libyan rebel coastal offensiveThe 2011 Libyan rebel coastal offensive was a major rebel offensive of the 2011 Libyan civil war. It was mounted by anti-Gaddafi forces with the intention of cutting off the supply route from Tunisia for pro-Gaddafi loyalist forces in Tripoli.- Background :...
- 2011 Nafusa Mountains Campaign2011 Nafusa Mountains CampaignThe 2011 Nafusa Mountain Campaign was a series of battles in the 2011 Libyan civil war, fought between loyalist pro-Gaddafi forces and rebel anti-Gaddafi forces in the Nafusa Mountains and, at a later period, in the surrounding plains of western Libya. The mountain range is of strategic importance...
- Arab SpringArab SpringThe Arab Spring , otherwise known as the Arab Awakening, is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, 18 December 2010...
- List of modern conflicts in North Africa