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| opponents = [[ISIL]]
| opponents = [[ISIL]]
[[Zintan Brigades]]
[[Zintan Brigades]]
[[Libyan National Army]]<ref>{{cite news |date=5 April 2015 |title=Khalifa Haftar, Libya’s strongest warlord, makes a push for Tripoli |newspaper=Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2019/04/05/khalifa-haftar-libyas-strongest-warlord-makes-a-push-for-tripoli |access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Traina |first=Malik |date=27 April 2020 |title=Turkey’s military helps turn the tide in Libyan civil war |newspaper=Aljazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/4/27/turkeys-military-helps-turn-the-tide-in-libyan-civil-war |access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref>
[[Libyan National Army]]
| battles = [[Battle of Misrata]]
| battles = [[Battle of Misrata]]
[[Battle of the Misrata frontline]]
[[Battle of the Misrata frontline]]

Revision as of 03:20, 26 October 2023

The Misrata Brigades are armed groups associated with the city of Misrata and its environs in Libya. Notably, they emerged as key participants in the Libyan Revolution, contributing significantly to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi's regime.[1][2] In addition to their historical involvement, the Misrata Brigades garnered international recognition for their successful efforts in countering the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the region. Furthermore, during the second Libyan Civil War, their influence and military prowess played a pivotal role in the conflict's dynamics and outcomes.[3]

Misrata Revolutionary Brigades
كتائب الثوار مصراتة
Also known asكتائب مصراتة
Dates of operationFebruary 2011-Present
CountryLibya
Group(s)Volcano of Rage Brigade

Path to Victory brigade Badr Brigade Ard Al-Rijal Brigade

Bukhar Brigade
Sloganمصراتة الصمود
Size10,000 (2011)
3,000 (2013)
6,000 (2017)
unknown (2023)
AlliesGovernment of National Unity

Turkey Turkey[4]

Tripoli Brigade (2011)[5]
OpponentsISIL

Zintan Brigades

Libyan National Army[6][7]
Battles and warsBattle of Misrata

Battle of the Misrata frontline

Battle of Sirte (2016)

Western Libya campaign

Battle of Sirte (2011)

Foundation of the brigades

The Misrata Brigades, known alternatively as the Misrata Military Council, represent a formidable coalition of diverse armed groups that trace their origins to the city of Misrata. Misrata became a pivotal focal point during the Libyan Civil War, a protracted conflict that raged from February to October 2011.[8]

This coalition of fighters from Misrata swiftly gained prominence for their unyielding determination and resilience in the face of formidable challenges posed by the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. As one of the largest cities in Libya, Misrata emerged as a critical bastion of resistance, bravely spearheaded by the Misrata Brigades, whose tenacious efforts proved instrumental in the broader rebellion against Gaddafi's oppressive regime.[9][10]

Their pivotal role in the conflict materialized during the prolonged and arduous siege of Misrata, where the Misrata Brigades valiantly defended their city against relentless assaults by pro-Gaddafi troops. The unwavering commitment and bravery exhibited by the fighters of the Misrata Brigades during this grueling standoff not only solidified their position as fierce combatants but also earned them a well-deserved reputation as resolute defenders of their homeland.[11][12]

First Libyan civil war

During the first Libyan Civil War that took place from February to October 2011, the Misrata Brigades emerged as a prominent and resilient force in the conflict. Hailing from the city of Misrata, these fighters played a vital role in the uprising against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. Misrata faced a brutal siege by Gaddafi's forces, but the Misrata Brigades fiercely defended their territory with remarkable tenacity and courage.[11]

Their unwavering determination and bravery in the face of relentless assaults from pro-Gaddafi troops earned them a reputation as formidable and dedicated fighters. The Misrata Brigades' significant contribution to the rebellion demonstrated their commitment to the cause of freedom and their willingness to endure immense hardships to secure a better future for their fellow Libyans.[12]

Amid the chaos and violence of the civil war, the Misrata Brigades stood as a symbol of resilience and hope, inspiring many others to join the fight against the oppressive regime. Their pivotal role in the conflict ultimately contributed to the overthrow of Gaddafi's government.

The Misrata-Tawargha Rivalry

The bitter rivalry between Misrata and Tawargha was a devastating fallout of the Libyan Civil War, characterized by deep-rooted societal divisions and resentments. Tawargha, widely perceived as steadfast supporters of the Gaddafi regime, faced vehement retribution from Misrata, which had endured immense suffering during the conflict. Disturbing reports revealed how Tawargha militias resorted to abducting civilians, subjecting them to cruel and inhumane torture, exacerbating the cycle of animosity and vengeance between the two communities.[13][14]

In the wake of wresting Misrata from the grip of Gaddafi's forces, chilling accounts emerged of relentless, ruthless assaults on Tawargha. Allegations painted a picture of rampant devastation, widespread displacement, and atrocious human rights transgressions. Misrata residents had previously accused Tawargha militias of orchestrating savage strikes on civilian infrastructure, fueling an ever-escalating vendetta between the two communities.[15]

Fuelled by an unwavering quest for retribution, select factions within the resolute Misrata community launched a relentless and unyielding assault, leaving Tawargha in ruins, its entire population displaced, and its very essence reduced to naught but ash and rubble. The town had essentially been emptied of its residents, homes, and infrastructure. Following the conclusion of the Libyan civil war, Misratan militias maintained a watchful presence for several months, preventing any possibility of return, dispersing families from the barren deserts of Sabha and Hun to the lively urban hubs of Benghazi and Tripoli.[16]

More than 40,000 individuals from Tawergha were forcibly displaced as a retaliatory wave swept through the embattled region in the past. Reports had suggested that Tawargha residents were purportedly complicit in suppressing the Misrata uprising. The haunting scars of relentless bombardment had marred the town, reducing buildings to smoldering remnants, embodying the tragic narrative of a once vibrant community reduced to a ghostly, lifeless shell.[17]

The Second Libyan civil war

The Misrata Brigades assumed a vital role in the second Libyan Civil War, which erupted in 2014 and intensified the country's political fragmentation and instability. Aligning themselves with various factions, they demonstrated their resilience and military prowess by actively engaging in battles against rival groups, including those associated with the Libyan National Army (LNA), under the leadership of General Khalifa Haftar.[18][19]

Their involvement in the conflict highlighted their dedication to protecting their interests and exerting influence in the evolving power dynamics within Libya. Leveraging their extensive combat experience and well-established networks, the Misrata Brigades emerged as a formidable force, contributing significantly to the defense of territories aligned with their objectives and effectively countering offensives from opposing factions.[20]

Moreover, the Misrata Brigades distinguished themselves in the conflict by leading successful campaigns against the presence of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Libya, contributing significantly to the group's defeat and elimination from several key areas in the country. Their strategic acumen and operational expertise were crucial in containing the spread of extremist threats and restoring a sense of security in the region.[3]

In addition to their victories against ISIL, the Misrata Brigades played a pivotal role in the Western Libya Campaign, which aimed to counter the advances of rival forces seeking to gain control over strategic territories in the western part of the country, as well as defending the western region from pro-Hafter forces[21][22][23].

Refrences

  1. ^ "Hardened Misrata fighters took out fury on Gadhafi – World news – Mideast/N. Africa". NBC News. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Sirte and Misrata rebuild in wake of Libya conflict". France 24. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Libyan forces prepare for last push against Islamic State in Sirte". Reuters. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Turkish Intervention in Libya". FOI. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Storming Tripoli". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Khalifa Haftar, Libya's strongest warlord, makes a push for Tripoli". Economist. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  7. ^ Traina, Malik (27 April 2020). "Turkey's military helps turn the tide in Libyan civil war". Aljazeera. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  8. ^ Rice, Xan (23 April 2010). "Libya: 'If people in Misrata put down their guns, Gaddafi will kill all of us'". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  9. ^ "Libyan rebels claim Misrata". CBC News. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  10. ^ "Libya: rebels celebrate seizing Misurata airport". The Daily Telegraph. London. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  11. ^ a b Greenberg, Joel (13 March 2011). "Libyan rebels celebrate as Gaddafi's forces retreat in Misurata". The Washington Post. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  12. ^ a b "10 History's Warriors: The Emergence of Revolutionary Battalions in Misrata". Oxford Academic. February 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  13. ^ غانمي, منية (3 February 2018). "تاورغاء ومصراتة.. قصة عداوة تسبب بها القذافي". Al-Arabiya. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  14. ^ غانمي, منية (3 March 2018). "تاورغاءجرائم تورغاء في حق سكان مدنية مصراتة". Kbhar Biladi. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  15. ^ Kafala, Ghady (22 April 2021). "Tawergha: Ten Years of Displacement". FES. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  16. ^ Kafala, Tarik (12 December 2011). "'Cleansed' Libyan town spills its terrible secrets". BBC. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Libya: Displaced Population Can't Go Home". Human Rights Watch. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Khalifa Haftar, Libya's strongest warlord, makes a push for Tripoli". Economist. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  19. ^ Traina, Malik (27 April 2020). "Turkey's military helps turn the tide in Libyan civil war". Aljazeera. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Misurata-based brigades parade their military might in Tripoli to support GNC". Libyan Express. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  21. ^ "LNA UAV shot down in Misrata". Itamil Radar. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  22. ^ AlWarfalli, Ayman (8 April 2019). "Battle rages for Libya's capital, airport bombed". Reuters. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  23. ^ Mahmoud, Khaled (7 April 2019). "Misrata Militias Mobilize to Save Libya's Sarraj". ASharq AlAwsat. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
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