2011 Libyan civil war

Libyan Civil War
Part of Arab Spring
Date 15 February 2011 – 20 October 2011 Location Libya Status Ongoing
Belligerents
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 full list Belgium Canada Denmark France Greece Italy Norway Spain Turkey United Kingdom United States Netherlands	Libya Libyan Armed Forces Libyan Army Libyan Air Force Libyan Navy Mustafa Abdul Jalil Omar El-Hariri Abdul Fatah Younis Suleiman Mahmoud Khalifa Belqasim Haftar Major General Khalid Shahmah Charles Bouchard
Commanders and leaders
	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 civil war in Libya during the year 2011. It began in the middle of February 2011. Many Libyans were inspired by the uprisings in neighbouring countries, such as Tunisia and Egypt. They violently protested against the government. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi sent troops and tanks to break up the rebellion. Things worsened when Al-quaeda started bombing. The rebels began forming their own government.

Beginning of protests

The conflict began with series of demonstrations and riots. There were many small protests of about 300-500 people throughout January. Major protests did not begin until 14 February 2011. The demonstrations were protesting against the Government of Libya and its leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. The conflict grew 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, some of Gaddafi's soldiers began joining the rebels in protest. The protests are thought to have been inspired by the successful uprising in Tunisia and Egypt.

According to NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent, Richard Engel, who entered Libya and had reached the city of Tobruk on 22 February 2011 was quoted as saying, "the protest movement is no longer a protest movement, it's a war. It's open revolt." and on 22 February, The Economist described the protests as an "uprising that is trying to reclaim Libya from the world's longest-ruling autocrat". On 21 February, the Libyan Air Force aircraft attacked civilian protesters in Tripoli which caused international condemnation. By this time, over 300 to 2,000 were dead and over 5,000 were injured.

Armed conflict

There were small battles until February 24, when Gaddafi sent tanks and troops into Misrata and attacked. Then, on March 6, launched a counter-offensive against Rebels. This lasted 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.

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 12 March. The Khamis Brigade, run by Gaddafi's son Khamis, rolled in and nearly destroyed the entire city. NATO and the Rebels won the battle and took control of the city.