Battle of the Misrata frontline

The Battle of the Misrata frontline was a battle during the 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. It ended when anti-Gaddafi soldiers secured Zliten to the west and Tawergha to the south, establishing a significant buffer zone around the city.

Battle of the Misrata frontline
Part of Libyan Civil War
Date16 May – 23 August 2011
Location
Misrata District, Libya
Result

Stalemate (mid-May–mid-August);
Anti-Gaddafi victory (late August)

Belligerents

Anti-Gaddafi forces

UNSC Resolution 1973 forces[2]

Gaddafi Loyalists

Commanders and leaders
Ibrahim Bet-Almal[4]
Nuri Abdullah Abdullatif[5]
Suleiman Mahmoud[6]
Air Marshal Brigadier Ali Attalah Obeidi †[7]		 Khamis Gaddafi
Abdullah Senussi
Abdul Nabih Zayid (POW)[8]
Strength
7,000[9] 4,500[9]
Casualties and losses
435 killed[10]
1,756 wounded[11]		 522-532 killed*[12]
14 civilians killed in the Misrata area,[13]
100+ civilians killed in the Zliten area**
*Based largely on unconfirmed rebel claims
**Based largely on unconfirmed and partially confirmed loyalist claims

Background

Following the Battle of Misrata in mid-May 2011, rebel forces retook the large parts of the city, which had been under pro-Gaddafi control, and established a defence line on Misrata's western outskirts at the small town of Dafniya, 35 kilometers from the centre of the city, and on the southwestern outskirts near Tawergha, which was still loyalist-held. What followed was more than a month of heavy frontline fighting and shelling. The aim of the rebels was to keep Misrata out of the artillery range of loyalist forces and to eventually make a breakthrough to the west toward the town of Zliten and then ultimately to the capital of Tripoli.

Battle

Frontline fighting and stalemate

On 16 May, NATO warships chased away two inflatable boats near Misrata's port, one boat was left abandoned with explosives and mannequins on board. "They were there to look like people and draw ships in and the explosives could be detonated," The boat was destroyed by gunfire.[14]

On 17 May, seven people were killed and 32 wounded,[15] mostly rebels, during clashes between opposition and loyalist forces on the eastern and western edges of the city.[16] The same day, Libyan state television claimed that Gaddafi's forces attacked a NATO warship off the coast of Misrata, this however was denied by NATO officials, stating that "It's a totally fabricated allegation".[17]

On 19 May, one rebel was killed and 10 were wounded by loyalist artillery fire in Dafniya, Zreig and Abu Rwea, on Misrata's western outskirts.[18]

On 23 May, two more people were killed and several wounded in fighting on the city's outskirts.[19] During the fighting, a column of five loyalist tanks, accompanied by 50 infantry, advanced on rebel positions at Dafniya, on Misrata's western outskirts. During the advance, opposition forces were hit by heavy artillery shelling and rocket fire. The shelling also hit some of Misrata's neighbourhoods in the western and southern suburbs.[20]

On 26 May, three rebels were killed and 20 wounded by mortar fire on the frontlines near Misrata.[9][21]

On 27 May, Gaddafi's forces laid landmines in the Misrata area, according to the commander of the NATO mission. "This morning reports showed that a minefield was laid in the Misrata area," Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard told a news conference.[22] Also, rebels and loyalists engaged in fierce fighting for a second straight day on the western outskirts of the city in which five more rebels were killed and more than a dozen wounded.[23]

On 28 May, rebels and loyalists fought at Tawergha, 40 kilometres south of Misrata, where rebels claimed to had captured a hospital which contained numerous weapons and tanks. Fighting also raged 25 kilometres east of Misrata. In all, 8-10 rebels were reported to have died in the fighting and 15-40 were wounded. Two loyalist soldiers were captured and an unknown number killed.[24]

On 29 May, two rebels were killed and 28 wounded after loyalists attempted an attack against Dafniya. The rebels claimed to have killed several soldiers, captured a tank and repelled the attack.[25]

On 31 May, opposition forces attempted to advance from Dafniya toward loyalist lines but were pushed back in fighting that left one rebel dead and 29 wounded.[26]

On 1 June, a rebel spokesman from Zliten claimed that the Gaddafi regime was arming criminals in order to use them to crush an anti-Gaddafi rebellion in that city. The regime flatly denied these reports, labelling them unverified and "completely false".[27]

On 2 June, shelling at the frontline left one person dead and three wounded.[28]

On 3 June, more fighting killed one rebel and wounded two at the frontline.[29]

On 4 June, in fighting on both the western and eastern outskirts of Misrata, four rebels were killed and one wounded.[30][31]

On 6 June, loyalist forces pushed two kilometers into Dafniya, on the western side of Misrata, firing Grad rockets, before being pushed back by three kilometers. Two people were killed and 17 wounded during the fighting and the main station supplying electricity to Misrata had been hit leaving some areas of the city without power. At the same time, there was also fighting on the eastern side of the town.[32]

On 8 June, loyalist forces launched a massive offensive on Misrata, shelling the city from three sides and trying to enter the city.[33] After the loyalist attack, the rebels attempted a counter-attack and they also advanced to the west, south and east. But their advance was stopped and they suffered heavy casualties. In total, 14 rebels were killed and 35 wounded.[34][35] One rebel claimed that 70 loyalist soldiers were killed during the fighting, but no other source confirmed the claim.[36]

On 10 June, loyalist forces shelled Misrata and made a ground attack against opposition lines killing 31 rebels and wounding 160.[37] Several loyalist soldiers were also killed and at least two tanks destroyed.[38] A rebel spokesman stated that during the previous week of fighting 120 people had been killed at Misrata's fontline and 350 wounded, most of them rebels.[39][40] Libya State TV reported that government forces shot down a NATO helicopter near Zliten. NATO denied this.[41] At the same time, heavy fighting had reportedly broken out in Zliten, due to an uprising from rebels within the city.

By 12 June, the rebel death toll from three days of shelling had reached nearly 40.[42] The same day, seven rebels fighters were killed and 49 wounded in the Dafniya district.[43] The rebels also claimed to have captured 10 loyalist soldiers after an ambush.[44] The Misrata refinery was damaged after six rockets hit its power generators.[45]

On 17 June, loyalists and rebels exchanged artillery fire killing ten rebels and one civilian.[46] 39 opposition fighters and two children were wounded.[47] Rebels fired rockets aiming for government tanks and ammo stockpiles in Naimah.[48]

The next day, 18 June, Gaddafi's forces withdrew from Naimah, with minimal fighting, prompting rebels to take the area. Al Jazeera correspondent Tony Birtley said the rebels were now aiming to take the village of Majer, southwest of Naimah, and southeast of Zliten.[49]

On 19 June, 10 rebels were killed and 54 wounded in shelling and an ambush conducted by Gaddafi forces,[50] who advanced one kilometer toward rebel lines, making the total casualties for just over a week at more than 40 dead and around 200 wounded. Reuters reporter Matt Robinson analyzed that the rebels small gains were made with heavy casualties due to their inexperience in battles in open areas. Rebels also admitted of doing tactical mistakes such as ruining surprise attacks. One rebel also complained that it was always the same units fighting on the frontline.[51]

On 20 June, more fighting near Dafniya left another 11 rebels dead[52] and 30-54 wounded.[53][54] Also, a loyalist rocket attack on a residential area near Misrata's port killed a 14-year-old boy[55] and wounded six of his relatives, including his mother and brother.[56]

On 21 June, during another round of fighting, four rebels were killed and 60 wounded. Loyalist forces had managed to advance one kilometer which led to rebel mortar units falling back slightly. Four loyalist long-range rockets hit Misrata's city center, but there were no casualties.[52]

On 22 June, more loyalist artillery bombardment at the frontline killed four rebels and wounded 12.[57] Earlier in the day, NATO air-strikes and ship shelling hit a loyalist military compound in Zliten, which was allegedly used for artillery attacks against rebel positions near Misrata. NATO stated that they destroyed 13 technicals, one armored personnel carrier and one mobile rocket launcher. In addition, a rebel spokesman claimed that over 200 loyalist soldiers were killed in the attack. However, there was no independent verification of the number of dead and previous rebel claims of loyalist death tolls were known to be inflated.[58] The loyalists, for their part, claimed that dozens of people were killed.[59]

As of 24 June, information coming from the battlefield became almost non-existent, since rebels initiated a media clampdown on the press with the introduction of official minders, vetted translators and no more free trips to the frontline, citing setbacks on the front.[60]

On 26 June, an AP reporter from Misrata stated that one person was killed and seven wounded by two shells.[61]

On 2 July, it was reported that shelling at Dafniya left 11 rebels wounded.[62]

On 3 July, two rebels were killed and 12 wounded during fighting on the frontline.[63]

On 4 July, six rebels were killed and 22 wounded in a loyalist ambush south of Misrata. The next day, another 11 rebels were killed and 42 others wounded in the heaviest artillery bombardment of rebel positions by Gaddafi's forces in weeks.[64]

On 6 July, 19 rebels were killed and 42 others wounded in fighting near Misrata, as well as 10 loyalist soldiers. Three civilians were also killed in loyalist rocket attacks. Among the rebels killed was Air Marshal Brigadier Ali Attalah Obeidi, who defected in April to the opposition forces.[65][66] Earlier in the day, rebels said that they advanced 20 km toward the west but a Reuters reporter who later reached the new front line said the rebel positions had moved forward by seven kilometers.[67]

Rebel advance on Suq Al Thulatha

On 8 July, after heavy fighting which continued since 6 July, the rebels claimed that they managed to capture the village Suq Al Thulatha on the outskirts of Zliten, about 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) away from the city center. Seven rebels died and more than 30 were wounded in the fighting. Another 500 rebel fighters from other parts of rebel-held Libya also reinforced Misrata fighters the same day.[68][69][70]

On 10 July, rebels encountered several minefields in Suq Al Thulatha, in which one rebel died and 32 were injured.[71] Rebels had also shelled the coastal road near Zliten, in the early hours, killing seven people.[72]

On 11 July, 11 rebels were killed[73] and 25 wounded[74] in more fighting in the area of Suq Al Thulatha after loyalist forces attempted to take a hill which had a strategic overlook of Misrata in the distance. They advance 300 meters before being pushed back.

On 12 July, 19 rebels were killed and 22 wounded in heavy frontline shelling by loyalist forces.[75]

The next day, 13 July, more fighting left five rebels dead and 17 wounded.[76]

On 16 July, six rebels were killed and four wounded in fighting on the frontline.[77]

On 18 July, 23 rebel fighters were wounded during fighting in the region of Dafniya.[78]

On 20 July, seven rebels were killed and 13 wounded[79] when they started a new offensive towards Zliten that they claimed had put them within 1.5 kilometers of the city.[80] Three wounded loyalist soldiers were captured by the rebels during the fighting, of which one died later of his wounds.[81] Rebel forces attempting to advance towards Zliten managed to capture General Abdul Nahib Zayid, who had been commanding pro-Gaddafi forces in Zliten and who had been heavily involved in the Battle of Misrata.[82]

Between 25 and 26 July, three rebels were killed and 11 others wounded in fighting on the frontline.[83]

On 27 July, four rebels were killed and 14 wounded in fighting west and south of Misrata.[84]

Battle of Zliten
Main article: Battle of Zliten

Rebels launched an offensive into Zliten on 21 July, but on 22 July, loyalists appeared to gain the upper hand, forcing them back into the outskirts of the city.[85][86]

On 25 July, government forces destroyed a giant fuel tank in Misrata with Grad rockets causing most stations to close.[87][88]

On 30 July, loyalists launched a big attack on Dafniyah from its south with tanks and infantry, breaking through rebel lines and inflicting major casualties before being forced back.[89][90] The rebel counteroffensive made it to Souk al Talak, west of Souk al Thulatha, before the anti-Gaddafi forces were pushed back to Souk al Thulatha.[91] They reportedly mulled bypassing Zliten in favor of an offensive against Khoms, but they continued to advance toward Zliten.[92][93]

On 1 August, rebels said they had seized the city centre of Zliten, but fighting continued and the rebels reportedly had difficulty in securing the support of local tribes.[94] Though the government claimed it had full control of Zliten on 3 August, journalists reported fighting continued in the city.[95]

On 2 August, Gaddafi forces attacked the rebels, reinforced by a brigade from Benghazi, in the farms north of Zliten, taking them by surprise and killing at least eight rebels and wounding 65.[96][97][98] One of the opposition commanders leading the assault stated that earlier in the day rebels had made some gains on the eastern outskirts of Zliten, but following the loyalist counter-attack they were pushed back to their starting positions.[99]

On 3 August, the Libyan government said that they pushed back the rebels to Dafniyah after having beaten the rebels at the entrance to Zliten.[95] The rebels denied these claims and stated that they had repelled the attempted offensive and had not retreated. Still, fighting appeared to be mostly centered in the eastern suburbs of the town, contradicting earlier rebel reports that they reached the city center.[100]

The rebel offensive in Zliten stalled by 7 August, and opposition forces were trying to hold on to positions in Suq Al Thulatha after their advance into Zliten was halted due to the loyalist counter-attack and a lack of ammunition.[101]

On 9 August, the Libyan government claimed that 85 civilians were killed in NATO airstrikes on Majer, a village near Zliten.[102] A NATO spokesman said the sites struck were legitimate military targets and they had no evidence of civilian casualties.[103] Reporters viewed at least 30 bodies, several of them the bodies of women and children.[104][105]

Rebels made a major push into Zliten on 19 August,[106][107] and in the evening, Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons reported from Zliten that the city was under rebel control and people were celebrating in the streets. Loyalist forces reportedly retreated to Khoms.[108]

Battle of Tawergha
Main article: Battle of Tawergha

On 11 August, six rebels were killed and 70 wounded as the rebels attempted to push toward Tawargha where they later that day claimed victory over loyalist forces.[109][110]

Fighting continued at Tawargha the next day with another three rebels being killed and another three opposition fighters were killed in clashes at Zliten.[111]

End of the battle

On 13 August rebels claimed to have taken a bridge over the Sawfajjin valley which links Misrata and Sirte.[112]

On 13 August, a governmental spokesman claimed that loyalist forces had defeated an attempt by rebels to take the city of Bani Walid, southwest of Misrata. No other sources have reported on the claimed battle at Bani Walid.[113]

On 17 August, rebels stated that they had reached the outskirts of Al Hayshah, north of a major crossroads.[114] Misrata radio reported that a column of rebel vehicles advanced southwards from Misrata, taking the town of Bir Durfan, and intended to capture the city of Bani Walid within days.[115][116]

On 23 August, the city of Khoms and the coastline towards Tripoli were captured by rebel forces.[117]

gollark: Silly 12 hour person...
gollark: I can AR a bit myself since I'll be at my computer, but still.
gollark: Yes, those are cave times.
gollark: Are people available then or did I pick a terrible time again?
gollark: 93lZZ (in 4 hours)ToD 15:55:20 (it might be a bit earlier, accurately checking is hard)Unfogging at 15:50:20ARing at 15:52:50 (2mins30 before ToD)If you are a silly 12-hour person, that's 3:50pm and onwards.This is all cave time.

References
  1. "Libyan rebels continue their struggle". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  2. "UN clears way for Libyan no-fly zone". 18 March 2011.
  3. "Nato takes control of enforcing Libya no-fly zone". 25 March 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  4. "Libya rebel city tense as Gadhafi ultimatum expires". 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 3 May 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  5. "Misrata rebels officially plead for Western troops". 19 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  6. "BBC Report on Misrata Showing Major General Suliman Mahmoud". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  7. "The martyred hero Air Marshal Brigadier Ali Attalah Obeidi". Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  8. Chris Stephen. "Libyan rebels in Zlitan capture key government commander". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  9. ABC News. "Libya's Misrata Rebels Face Tough New Fight". ABC News. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  10. Rebel fatalities - 7 killed (17 May), 1 killed (19 May), 2 killed (23 May), 3 killed (26 May), 5 killed (27 May), Archived 18 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine 10 killed (28 May), 2 killed (29 May), 1 killed (31 May), 1 killed (2 June), 120 killed (3–10 June), 43 killed (12–19 June), 15 killed (20–21 June), Archived 9 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine 4 killed (22 June), 1 killed (26 June), 2 killed (3 July), 17 killed (4–5 July), 19 killed (6 July),"Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) 7 killed (8 July), Archived 2 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine 1 killed (10 July), 11 killed (11 July), 19 killed (12 July), 5 killed (13 July), Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine 6 killed (16 July), 7 killed (20 July), 114 killed (Battle of Zliten), 12 killed (Battle of Tawergha), total of 435 reported killed
  11. Rebel wounded - 32 wounded (17 May), 10 wounded (19 May), 3 wounded (23 May), 20 wounded (26 May), 12 wounded (27 May), Archived 18 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine 40 wounded (28 May), 28 wounded (29 May), 29 wounded (31 May), 3 wounded (2 June), 350 wounded (3–10 June), 200 wounded (12–19 June), 54 wounded (20 June), 60 wounded (21 June), Archived 9 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine 12 wounded (22 June), 7 wounded (26 June), 11 wounded (2 July), 12 wounded (3 July), 64 wounded (4–5 July), 42 wounded (6 July), 30 wounded (8 July), 32 wounded (10 July), 25 wounded (11 July), 22 wounded (12 July), 17 wounded (13 July), Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine 4 wounded (16 July), 23 wounded (18 July), 13 wounded (20 July), 504 wounded (Battle of Zliten), 85 wounded (Battle of Tawergha), total of 1,756 reported wounded
  12. Loyalist fatalities - 442 killed (around Misrata), Archived 14 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine 4 killed (Battle of Tawergha), 76-86 killed (Battle of Zliten), total of 522-532 reported killed
  13. 3 killed (12 June), 3 killed (17–20 June), 3 killed (6 July), 2 killed (by mines), 3 killed (31 July), total of 14 reported killed
  14. "May 19th Updates: NATO says explosives and dummies found on Libya boat". Reuters. 16 May 2011.
  15. "Rebel forces in Libya's western mountains issue call for help". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  16. "Seven killed in Libya clashes". The Irish Times. 17 May 2011.
  17. Brunnstrom, David (17 May 2011). "NATO denies Libya hit warship off coast near Misrata". Reuters.
  18. "May 19th Updates". 19 May 2011. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  19. "NATO-led coalition to use helicopters in Libya". The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  20. "Gaddafi forces shell west, south Misrata - rebels". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  21. "NATO air strikes rock Libyan capital". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  22. "May 27th Updates". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  23. NATO says destroyed Gaddafi compound guard towers 1 Archived 18 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  24. NATO says destroyed Gaddafi compound guard towers 2
  25. Britain readies "bunker-busting" bombs for Libya
  26. "Libya's Gaddafi: I will not leave my country". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  27. "Libya oil chief defects, NATO extends campaign". Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  28. "More NATO strikes hit Libya". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  29. "Misrata rebels in holding pattern, waiting for help". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  30. Britain says rebels must plan for post-Gaddafi Libya
  31. "Factbox: Latest developments in Libyan conflict". Reuters. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  32. "Russian envoy heads to Libya to begin settlement talks". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  33. "Gaddafi's forces advanced on Libya's Misrata". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  34. "Libya crisis: Rebels seek to break out of Misrata". BBC News. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  35. "Gaddafi's troops march towards Misrata". Independent Online. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  36. "Gaddafi forces mount offensive on Misrata but are beaten back". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  37. "Libyan rebels repel fierce attack by government forces on Misrata". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  38. Chris Stephen. "Qaddafi Forces Step Up Misrata Siege, Killing 18 Rebels". Businessweek.com. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  39. DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK (11 June 2011). "Qaddafi Forces Shell Rebels Near Misurata". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  40. Londo, Ernesto (23 March 2011). "Libyan rebels stage insurrection in Zlitan". The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  41. "NATO denies helicopter shot down in Libya". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  42. Libyan Forces Shell Rebel Port City In West
  43. "Libyan rebels breakout toward Tripoli". Idaho Press-Tribune. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  44. "At least 21 dead in Libyan fighting". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  45. "Rockets hit rebel-held refinery near Misrata-witness". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  46. Chris Stephen (18 June 2011). "Libyan Forces Hit Misrata City Center as Qaddafi Vows to Remain in Office". Bloomberg. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  47. "Heavy exchanges near key western Libyan town". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  48. "Libya: Rebels Launch Rockets Moving Closer to Tripoli". Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  49. "Libyan rebels continue push towards Tripoli". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  50. Libya says NATO airstrike kills 9 civilians
  51. "Inexperience costing rebels in advance on Tripoli". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  52. Gaddafi rockets dent sense of security in Misrata
  53. "NATO: Airstrike targeted high-level Gadhafi command site". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  54. "Fierce battles continue in western Libya". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  55. "Rockets hit Libya's Misrata, kill child". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  56. NATO loses contact with drone chopper over Libya
  57. "Italy ceasefire call exposes NATO split on Libya". Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  58. "Nato chief says alliance will finish job in Libya". Reuters. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  59. "Libya says scores killed in NATO strike". Al Bawaba. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  60. "Analysis: Misrata's rebels change tactics in dealing with press". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  61. Libya bombing campaign enters 100th day
  62. "Libyan rebels, Gadhafi forces exchange fire; 11 rebels wounded". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  63. "Gaddafi can stay in Libya if he quits: rebel chief". Reuters. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  64. "Libya denies Russian report Gaddafi seeking way out". Reuters. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  65. "Libyan rebels launch assault close to Tripoli". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  66. Libya rebels battle in plains south of Tripoli
  67. Libyan rebels push towards Tripoli on two fronts
  68. "Libya rebels inch closer to Tripoli". Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  69. Rebels advance to Tripoli, the UN is preparing to ease sanctions
  70. Chris Stephen. "Misrata Rebels Say They Captured Village After Heavy Fighting". Businessweek.com. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  71. Kadhafi forces counterattack southwest of Tripoli
  72. "Qaddafi forces shell rebels south of Libyan capital". Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  73. Chris Stephen (12 July 2011). "Qaddafi Forces Breach Misrata Front Line During Heavy Libyan Fighting". Bloomberg. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  74. "Italy calls for political solution in Libya". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  75. "19 rebels killed in Misrata, Algeria, Italy urge political solution to crisis". The News International, Pakistan. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  76. "Libya rebels retake village south of Tripoli". Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  77. "Heavy casualties reported in Libya fighting". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  78. "23 Libyan rebels hurt in fighting near Misrata: statement". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  79. "Libya rebels press pre-Ramadan offensive". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  80. Chris Stephen. "Libyan rebels push towards Zlitan". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  81. Sharenet (Pty) Ltd. "Libya rebels suffer heavy casualties at Brega". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  82. Chris Stephen. "Libyan rebels in Zlitan capture key government commander". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  83. "Libya tells UN envoy bombs must stop before talks". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  84. "Libya rebels say plan attack on western mountain town". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  85. Libya rebel casualties mount in battle for Zliten
  86. "Qaddafi's forces push rebels back from Tripoli". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  87. "Fuel scarce in Misrata after Gaddafi forces rocket depot". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  88. Chris Stephen. "Germany to lend €100m to Libyan rebels". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  89. Chris Stephens (30 July 2011). "Qaddafi Forces Assault Rebel Stronghold of Misrata With Tanks, Artillery". Bloomberg. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  90. Libyan rebel commander killed by allied militia Archived 12 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  91. "Libya Live Blog". Al Jazeera. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  92. "Libya Live Blog - Al Jazeera Blogs". Al Jazeera Blogs. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  93. "Libyan rebels inch closer to Zlitan breakthrough". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  94. Chris Stephen. "Libya rebels take Zlitan as RAF clears way after two-month struggle". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  95. "Libyan rebels say counter-attack at Zlitan repelled". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  96. "Seven rebels killed in Gaddafi counter-attack". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  97. Paul Owen. "The Guardian Chris Stephen report from Misrata". the Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  98. "Libya rebels push forward as Russia speaks of 'dead end'". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  99. "Rebels killed, Gaddafi camp says NATO can't stop war". Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
  100. "Libyan rebels say counter-attack at Zlitan repelled". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  101. "Kadhafi forces report gains, launch offensive". modernghana.com. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  102. "Libya says NATO strike kills dozens of civilians". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  103. "NATO: Libya airstrike killed troops, not civilians". USATODAY.COM. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  104. "Tripoli says NATO strike kills dozens of civilians". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  105. The Christian Science Monitor. "Turmoil in Benghazi, rebel advances in western Libya". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  106. "Libyan rebels say 32 fighters killed in Zlitan". Reuters. 19 August 2011.
  107. "Libya - Aug 19, 2011 - 14:39". Al Jazeera Blogs. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  108. "Libyan rebels capture city near Tripoli". Al Jazeera English. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  109. "WRAPUP 1-Libyan rebels capture part of Brega, push north". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  110. Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Libyan rebels capture part of Brega, push north". Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  111. Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Libya rebels take casualties in fight for Brega". Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  112. "Rebels say they are gaining ground in Libya; government disputes claim". CNN. 24 August 2011.
  113. McElroy, Damien (13 August 2011). "Gaddafi loyalists claim Nato underestimated regime support as rebels fail to take Bani Walid". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  114. Khodr, Zeina (17 August 2011). "Libyan rebels tighten grip around Tripoli". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 3 January 2012.
  115. "Libya Rebels Battle for Oil Refinery, Push to Cut Tripoli Road". The San Francisco Chronicle. 18 August 2011.
  116. Harding, Luke; Beaumont, Peter; Stephen, Chris (17 August 2011). "Gaddafi troops fight to maintain positions in strategic city of Zawiyah". The Guardian. London.
  117. "Eastern rebels press onwards to Tripoli". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 21 November 2014.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.