Gulf of Sidra Offensive (2017)

The Gulf of Sidra Offensive was an offensive of the Second Libyan Civil War. It was launched by the Benghazi Defense Brigades on 3 March 2017, and initially resulted in them taking control of a strip of coastal territory between the towns of Nofaliya and Ras Lanuf, which was then handed over to the Government of National Accord. A number of significant oil ports are located in this area, sometimes referred to as the Oil Crescent. The loss of the Oil Crescent was perceived by analysts as a major blow to the power of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.[4]

Gulf of Sidra Offensive (2017)
Part of the Second Libyan Civil War

Map of the initial GNS offensive. GNS gains were later reversed.
Date3 March 2017 – 14 March 2017
Location
Coast of the Gulf of Sidra, Libya
Result

Libyan National Army victory[1]

  • Benghazi Defense Brigades capture a strip of coastal territory between Nofaliya and Ras Lanuf, and transfer it to Government of National Accord.
  • On 14 March 2017, LNA recaptures all lost positions in a counter-offensive.
Belligerents

General National Congress

  • Benghazi Defense Brigades
  • Mercenaries (allegedly)[2]

Supported by:
Misratan militias

Government of National Accord (After 7 March)

House of Representatives

Supported by:

 United Arab Emirates (allegedly)
Commanders and leaders

Brig. Mustafa al-Shirksi

Idris Bukhamada (After 7 March)		 Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar

On 14 March, the LNA recaptured all positions lost to the Benghazi Defence and Misratan Brigades in a counter-offensive after several days of aerial bombardment.[5][6][7]

Background

The oil ports targeted in the offensive had been under the control of the Libyan National Army, which supports the Tobruk-based elected parliament, since September 2016, when they were seized from the Petroleum Facilities Guard. The Benghazi Defense Brigades, an Islamist-dominated militia, had been founded in Spring 2016, by fighters driven from the key eastern city of Benghazi by the Libyan National Army.[8] The BDB is allied with surviving elements of the defeated PFG.

Offensive

After travelling north through the Sahara Desert from the town of Zella, the BDB simultaneously attacked the ports of Nofaliya, Bin Jawad, Sidra and Ras Lanuf on 3 March. Already overstretched by insurgents in northeastern Cyrenaica, the Libyan Air Force was unable to respond effectively to the BDB's simultaneous attacks. After a short but intense period of fighting, the Libyan National Army withdrew east, leaving the BDB in control of the ports.[9] By 4 March, at least nine people were believed to have been killed in the offensive.[10] Over the following days, air strikes were launched by the Libyan Air Force against the BDB, and as of 7 March, the LNA was reportedly massing forces for a counterattack, to be launched from the town of Brega, possibly with the assistance of the United Arab Emirates.[11] Later that day, however, the BDB announced that it had handed the captured ports over to the Government of National Accord, which responded by dispatching the PFG to the area.[12]

Counteroffensive

On 9 March, after obtaining endorsement from tribal elders in Benghazi, the LNA launched a counteroffensive in the Oil Crescent, with armoured brigades being sent to the area. The following day, it was reported that airstrikes had targeted Sidra and Ras Lanuf, and that heavy fighting had broken out in Uqayla, a small town located on the frontline.[13]

On the night of 11 March, airstrikes conducted by the Dignity Operation warplanes killed two of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) personnel, sources from the PFG reported.[14]

On 14 March 2017, LNA have recaptured all positions lost to Benghazi Defence and Misratan Brigades in a counter-offensive after several days of air bombardment.[15][16][7] According to local sources, 21 LNA soldiers were killed during the fighting. Meanwhile, LNA spokesman, Ahmed Al-Mismari claimed that remnants of the BDB had fled to Misrata and Jufra.[17]

Reactions

Since the offensive began, both sides have accused their opponents of deploying mercenaries.[18] As the fighting was taking place, the House of Representatives announced on 7 March that they withdrew their support for the UN-backed peace agreement and the Government of National Accord, and called for new elections to be held by February 2018.[19] This came as the result of the outbreak of conflict between the LNA and the Islamist militias, with the latter being supported by the GNA. The Libyan parliament is opposed to these forces and wants the GNA to condemn their actions. The parliament spokesperson Abdullah Ablaihig stated that "the GNA unity government is not legitimate any more, as well as its presidential council and anything to do with this entity."[20]

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References
  1. "After days of armed fighting, Libyan key oil ports resume exportation - Libyan Express - Breaking News and Latest Updates from Libya". 20 March 2017. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  2. "المسماري: قوات المعارضة التشادية شاركت في الهجوم على الهلال النفطي". Archived from the original on 11 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  3. "Al-Ghasri says a force is in the making to protect oil crescent region, slams Haftar as Al-Qaeda affiliate - The Libya Observer". Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  4. "Libya: Will losing oil ports end Haftar's power?". Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  5. "East Libyan forces say they have retaken oil ports". 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  6. "Khalifa Haftar forces capture key Libya oil terminals". Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  7. Richard J. C. Galustian (March 14, 2017). "Haftar wins back oil crescent". Times of Oman. Archived from the original on March 15, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2017. LNA Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar receiving Elders of Magharaba tribe that give him the tribe's support in the war against Al Qeada attacking the Oil Crescent) Source: LNA Media Office March 12, 2017
  8. Ayman al-Warfalli. "Libyan oil guard head says asked to protect oil ports after clashes". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  9. "How Haftar lost the oil ports - as Libya moves closer to uncontrolled break-up". Middle East Eye. 2013-07-04. Archived from the original on 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  10. Chris Stephen. "Libyan militias capture key oil ports and refinery | World news". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  11. Patrick Wintour. "Libya falls back into civil war as rival sides fight to control oil terminals | World news". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
  12. "Battle for Libya's key oil ports takes dramatic turn - The National". Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  13. "Libya's eastern forces on the march to retake oil ports". The National. Archived from the original on 2017-03-11. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
  14. "Two killed in Dignity Operation air attacks on oil terminals, PFG to request no-fly zone". The Libya Observer. Archived from the original on 2017-03-13. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  15. "UPDATE 2-East Libyan forces say they have retaken oil ports". Nasdaq. Archived from the original on 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  16. "Khalifa Haftar forces capture key Libya oil terminals". All Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  17. "LNA lose 21 dead in retaking oil terminals". Libya Herald. Archived from the original on 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  18. "Armed faction enters major Libyan oil ports, putting output at risk". 4 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017 – via Reuters.
  19. "Early elections called as fears of escalating violence grip Libya". 9 March 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  20. Libya’s eastern parliament quits UN peace deal with Tripoli Archived 2018-01-07 at the Wayback Machine Al-Arabiya. Published 8 March 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
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