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Zliten uprising

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Battle of Zliten
Part of 2011 Libyan civil war
Date9 June 2011 – present
Location
Zliten, Libya
Result Ongoing
Belligerents

Libya Anti-Gaddafi forces

United Nations UNSC Resolution 1973 forces[1][2]

Libya Gaddafi Loyalists

Commanders and leaders
Unknown Khamis al-Gaddafi[3]
Abdullah al-Senoussi[4]
Casualties and losses
22 killed[3] 4 tanks destroyed;[2] other casualties unknown.

The Battle of Zliten is an ongoing battle in the 2011 Libyan civil war, fought between loyalist pro-Gaddafi forces and rebel anti-Gaddafi forces in the city of Zliten, in the Misrata District of Libya. The city is of strategic importance due to its close proximity to the capital of Tripoli. After Zliten, only two cities – Al Khums and Tajura – separate the rebel stronghold of Misrata from Tripoli.

Background

Zliten rose against Gaddafi during the initial onset of the rebellion in February 2011,[5] but the city was soon retaken by pro-Gaddafi loyalists. It was initially used as a staging point for loyalist attacks on rebel-held Misrata. According to a report by the United Nations refugee agency, men had been kidnapped from Misrata during the battle for the city, and taken to governmental camps in Zlitan, before being forced to pledge allegiance to the government and fight on the pro-Gaddafi side.[6]

By early May, the rebel Free Libyan Army had expelled pro-Gaddafi forces from Misrata, pushing by 9 May to the village of Ad Dafniyah, 20 kilometers east of Zliten.[7] The frontline remained relatively static for the next month, with rumors of discontent and rebellion in Zliten persisting. According to the rebels, they are training and equipping fighters from Zlitan, so that the city may liberate themselves.[8] Rebels also claimed that NATO had been holding them back, preventing the frontline from advancing.[9]

On 15 May, a rebel spokesman claimed that the anti-Gaddafi forces from Misrata had coordinated efforts with Zliten revolutionaries, and defeated Gaddafi forces, but this claim was later found to be untrue.[10]

On 1 June, a rebel spokesman claimed that Gaddafi has begun arming criminals in Zlitan, in an effort to keep the city under his control. This claim was denied by the Libyan government.[11]

Uprising

By 9 June 2011, heavy fighting erupted in the city of Zlitan, with the rebels suffering 22 fatalities by the next day.[12][12] Pro-Gaddafi forces surrounded the city, armed with artillery and Grad rockets. According to rebels, the loyalist forces threatened to have the city's women raped by mercenaries, if it did not surrender.[13] RAF airstrikes have destroyed at least 4 loyalist MBTs outside the city.[2]

On 10 June, Libya State TV reported that governement forces shot down a NATO helicopter near Zlitan. NATO denied this.[14]

By 11 June, rebels controled some parts of the town, but the city center was still firmly under the control of loyalist forces.[15]

On June 14, 2011, NATO attack helicopters were deployed and subsequently destroyed two rigid-hull inflatable boats being operated by pro-Gaddafi forces threatening maritime traffic in the area. Shortly afterwards, the attack helicopters successfully struck an anti-aircraft heavy machine gun and three military vehicles hidden under trees in the vicinity of Zlitan. [16]

References

  1. ^ "UN clears way for Libyan no-fly zone". 18 Mar 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Ministry of Defence | Fact Sheets | Libya: Operations Updates. Mod.uk. Retrieved on 2011-06-12.
  3. ^ a b "Libyan rebels stage insurrection in Zlitan". The Washington Post. 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  4. ^ Gadhafi forces kill 22 rebels in Misrata shelling – Connecticut Post. Ctpost.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-12.
  5. ^ Gadaffi under threat as revolt hits Tripoli – News – Mail & Guardian Online. Mg.co.za (2011-02-21). Retrieved on 2011-06-12.
  6. ^ People in Battle-Torn Libya Facing Critical Shortages | News | English. Voanews.com (2011-06-07). Retrieved on 2011-06-12.
  7. ^ "Rebels drive Kadhafi forces back from Misrata – Yahoo!7". Au.news.yahoo.com. 2011-05-10. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  8. ^ Sherock, Ruth. "Libya: Doubt over city's loyalty puts brake on rebel advance – Scotsman.com News". News.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  9. ^ Libya rebels held back by NATO. Smh.com.au (2011-06-08). Retrieved on 2011-06-12.
  10. ^ By MICHELLE FAUL, Associated Press – May 15, 2011 (2011-05-15). "The Associated Press: Libya rebels claim tighter grip on city of Misrata". Google.com. Retrieved 2011-06-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "Reuters – World – Jun 01, 2011 – Libya oil chief defects, NATO extends campaign". RealClearWorld. 2011-06-01. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  12. ^ a b Madany, Sherine El. "Fighting erupts in Zlitan, Turkey offers Gaddafi exit". Reuters. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  13. ^ By Reuters (2011-03-02). "Gadhafi forces surround Zlitan, threaten rape, rebels say – Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News". Haaretz.com. Retrieved 2011-06-10. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ NATO denies helicopter shot down in Libya. Af.reuters.com (2009-02-09). Retrieved on 2011-06-12.
  15. ^ Qaddafi Forces Shell Rebels Near Misurata. Nytimes.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-12.
  16. ^ http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_75418.htm
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