2011 Libyan civil war

Libyan Civil War
Part of Arab Spring
Date 15 February 2011 – 20 October 2011 Location Libya Status Ongoing
Fighting parties
National Transitional Council Free Libyan Army Free Libyan Air Force National Conference for the Libyan Opposition Anti-Gaddafi tribes UN member states enforcing UNSC Resolution 1973: NATO Jordan Qatar Sweden UAE	Libya Libyan Armed Forces Libyan Army Libyan Air Force Libyan Navy Foreign mercenaries
Commanders
Mustafa Abdul Jalil Omar El-Hariri Abdul Fatah Younis Suleiman Mahmoud Khalifa Belqasim Haftar Major General Khalid Shahmah Charles Bouchard	Muammar Gaddafi Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Saif al-Arab al-Gaddafi  † Khamis al-Gaddafi Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr
Strength
Approximately 17,000 volunteers by Mar 24 (1,000 trained men by Mar 23) International Forces: Numerous air and maritime forces (see here)	10,000–20,000+ soldiers, unknown number of militia
Casualties and losses
2,098-2,834 opposition fighters, activists and supporters killed (see Casualties of the 2011 Libyan civil war) 1 Royal Netherlands Navy Lynx captured during attempted extraction of a civilian 1 USAF F-15E Strike Eagle crashed (both pilots survived) 1 UAEAF F-16 Fighting Falcon damaged upon landing	1,044-1,132 soldiers killed (see Casualties of the 2011 Libyan civil war), 200 captured
Estimated total killed on both sides including civilians: 10,000

The Libyan Civil War was a war in Libya during the year 2011. It began 17 February 2011, when many Libyans, tired of Muammar al-Gaddafi's 42-year rule, protested against him. Gaddafi responded by sending troops and tanks to break up the rebellion. Things worsened when Gaddhafi began censoring the internet and cut water lines and besieged many cities. In response, the protesters started their own government and army to fight against Gaddafi and his sons.

Beginning of Protests

There were many small protests of about 300-500 people throughout January, but major protests didn't begin until February 14, 2011. Then, 3 days later, the conflict escalated as thousands of people joined the protests. Gaddafi vowed to hunt them down and "clean Libya house by house" until all Rebels are gone. However, even some of Gaddafi's soldiers began joining the Rebels in protest.

Armed Conflict

There were small battles in February until February 24, when Gaddafi sent tanks and troops into Misrata and attacked. Then, on March 6, launched a counter-offensive against Rebels until 12 March. He regained Ra's Lanuf and Brega. The Rebels' gained power when NATO and other countries began bombarding Gaddafi's forces through airstrikes.

The Rebels' launched a counter-offensive on March 27 that lasted until April 1. The Rebels' regained a few cities, but nothing big.

Since late April, most battles in Libya have died down and there has been less fighting.

Battle of Misrata

The Battle of Misrata was the fiercest battle in the civil war. The Hamza Brigade fought for Gaddafi against the Rebels from 24 February to 11 March until on 12 March. The Khamis Brigade, run by Gaddafi's son Khamis, rolled in and nearly destroyed the entire city. Later, NATO and the Rebels won the battle and took control of the city.

National Transitional Council

As soon as the Rebels' began attacking loyalist (Gaddafi) forces, they started their own government, the National Transitional Council.