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Battle of the Misrata frontline

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Battle of the Misrata frontline
Part of 2011 Libyan civil war
Date16 May 2011 – present
Location
around Misrata, Libya
Result

Ongoing

  • Mostly a stalemate[2]
  • Some rebel units advance to Zliten's outskirts[3]
Belligerents

Libya Anti-Gaddafi forces

Libya Gaddafi Loyalists

Commanders and leaders
Ibrahim Bet-Almal[4]
Nuri Abdullah Abdullati[5]
Major General Suliman Mahmoud[6]
Air Marshal Brigadier Ali Attalah Obeidi †[7]		 Khamis al-Gaddafi
Abdullah Senussi
Gen. Abdul Nabih Zayid (POW)[8]
Strength
3,000[9] several thousand
Casualties and losses
325 killed,[10]
1,304 wounded[11]		 124-139 killed,*[12] unknown number of captured
22 civilians killed[13]
*Based largely on unconfirmed rebel claims

The Battle of the Misrata frontline is a battle during the 2011 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.

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 Tawarga, 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 Tripoli.

Battle

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 Tawargha, 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][25]

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.[26]

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.[27]

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".[28]

On 2 June, shelling at the frontline left one person dead and three wounded.[29]

On 3 June, more fighting killed one rebel and wounded two at the frontline.[30]

On 4 June, in fighting on both the western and eastern outskirts of Misrata, four rebels were killed and one wounded.[31][32]

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.[33]

On 8 June, loyalist forces launched a massive offensive on Misrata, shelling the city from three sides and trying to enter the city.[34] 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.[35][36] One rebel claimed that 70 loyalist soldiers were killed during the fighting, but no other source confirmed the claim.[37]

On 10 June, loyalist forces shelled Misrata and made a ground attack against opposition lines killing 31 rebels and wounding 160.[38] Several loyalist soldiers were also killed and at least two tanks destroyed.[39] 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.[40][41] Libya State TV reported that government forces shot down a NATO helicoptere near Zliten. NATO denied this.[42] 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.[43] The same day, seven rebels fighters were killed and 49 wounded in the Dafniyah district.[44] The rebels also claimed to have captured 10 loyalist soldiers after an ambush.[45] The Misrata refinery was damaged after six rockets hit its power generators.[46]

On 17 June, loyalists and rebels exchanged artillery fire killing ten rebels and one civilian.[47][48] 39 opposition fighters and two children were wounded.[49] Rebels fired rockets aiming for government tanks and ammo stockpiles in Naimah.[50]

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.[51][52]

On 19 June, 10 rebels were killed and 54 wounded in shelling and an ambush conducted by Gaddafi forces,[53] 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.[54]

On 20 June, more fighting near Dafniya left another 11 rebels dead[55] and 30-54 wounded.[56][57] Also, a loyalist rocket attack on a residential area near Misrata's port killed a 14-year-old boy[58] and wounded six of his relatives, including his mother and brother.[59]

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.[55]

On 22 June, more loyalist artillery bombardment at the frontline killed four rebels and wounded 12.[60] 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.[61] The loyalists, for their part, claimed that dozens of people were killed.[62]

As of 24 June, information coming from the battlefield became limited to 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.[63]

On 26 June, an AP reporter from Misrata stated that one person was killed and seven wounded by two shells.[64]

On 2 July, it was reported that shelling at Dafniya left 11 rebels wounded.[65]

On 3 July, two rebels were killed and 12 wounded during fighting on the frontline.[66]

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.[67]

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.[68][69][70] 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.[71]

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 4 miles 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.[72][73][74]

On 10 July, rebels encountered several minefields in Suq Al Thulatha, in which one rebel died and 32 were injured.[75] Rebels had also shelled the coastal road near Zliten, in the early hours, killing seven people.[76]

On 11 July, 11 rebels were killed[77] and 25 wounded[78] 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.[79]

On 12 July, 19 rebels were killed and 22 wounded in heavy frontline shelling by loyalist forces.[80]

The next day, 13 July, more fighting left five rebels dead and 17 wounded.[81]

On 16 July, six rebels were killed and four wounded in fighting on the frontline.[82]

On 18 July, 23 rebel fighters were wounded during fighting in the region of Dafniya.[83]

On 20 July, seven rebels were killed and 13 wounded[84] when they started a new offensive towards Zliten that they claimed had put them within 1.5 kilometers of the city.[85] Three wounded loyalist soldiers were captured by the rebels during the fighting, of which one died later of his wounds.[86] 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.[87]

Between 21 and 22 July, 16 rebels were killed and 126 wounded in fighting on Zliten's outskirts as opposition forces attempted to make a breakthrough toward the city center. However, loyalist forces stood firm.[88] Government troops, backed up by tanks, managed to cut-off rebels in Suq Al Thulatha from the main opposition force and surround them.[89]

In more fighting on the outskirts of Zliten on 23 and 24 July, another 23 rebel fighters were wounded.[90] [91]

On 25 July, Libyan government claimed that NATO strikes targeted a small clinic and food storage buildings in Zliten, causing the death of 11 civilians[92]. NATO responded that they found no evidence to support these allegations, and that these targets were a command and control node and a vehicle storage facility containing military vehicles. [93] The same day, governement forces destroyed a giant fuel tank in Misrata with Grad rockets causing most stations to close.[94][95] Between 25 and 26 July, 3 rebels were killed and 11 other wounded in fighting on the frontline. [96]

References

  1. ^ Libyan rebels continue their struggle
  2. ^ Nine killed in Misrata fighting; Libya rebels
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ "Libya rebel city tense as Gadhafi ultimatum expires". 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
  7. ^ The martyred hero Air Marshal Brigadier Ali Attalah Obeidi
  8. ^ Libyan rebels in Zlitan capture key government commander
  9. ^ a b Libya's Misrata Rebels Face Tough New Fight
  10. ^ Rebel fatalities - 7 killed (17 May),[2] 1 killed (19 May),[3] 2 killed (23 May),[4] 3 killed (26 May),[5] 5 killed (27 May),[6] 10 killed (28 May),[7] 2 killed (29 May),[8] 1 killed (31 May),[9] 1 killed (2 June),[10] 120 killed (3–10 June),[11] 43 killed (12–19 June),[12][13] 15 killed (20–21 June),[14] 4 killed (22 June),[15] 1 killed (26 June),[16] 2 killed (3 July),[17] 17 killed (4-5 July),[18] 19 killed (6 July),[19] 7 killed (8 July),[20] 1 killed (10 July),[21] 11 killed (11 July),[22] 19 killed (12 July),[23] 5 killed (13 July),[24] 6 killed (16 July),[25] 7 killed (20 July),[26] 16 killed (21-22 July),[27] total of 325 reported killed
  11. ^ Rebel wounded - 32 wounded (17 May),[28] 10 wounded (19 May),[29] 3 wounded (23 May),[30] 20 wounded (26 May),[31] 12 wounded (27 May),[32] 40 wounded (28 May),[33] 28 wounded (29 May),[34] 29 wounded (31 May),[35] 3 wounded (2 June),[36] 350 wounded (3–10 June),[37] 200 wounded (12–19 June),[38] 54 wounded (20 June),[39] 60 wounded (21 June),[40] 12 wounded (22 June),[41] 7 wounded (26 June),[42] 11 wounded (2 July),[43] 12 wounded (3 July),[44] 64 wounded (4-5 July),[45] 42 wounded (6 July),[46] 30 wounded (8 July),[47] 32 wounded (10 July),[48] 25 wounded (11 July),[49] 22 wounded (12 July),[50] 17 wounded (13 July),[51] 4 wounded (16 July),[52] 23 wounded (18 July),[53] 13 wounded (20 July),[54] 126 wounded (21-22 July),[55] 23 wounded (23-24 July),[56] total of 1,304 reported wounded
  12. ^ Loyalist fatalities - 3 killed (29 May),[57] 70 killed (8 June),[58] 3-6 killed (10 June),[59] 6 killed (15 June),[60] 24-36 (22 June),[61][62] 10 killed (6 July), [63] 7 killed (10 July),[64] 1 killed (20 July),[65] total of 124-139 reported killed
  13. ^ 3 killed (12 June),[66][67] 3 killed (17–20 June),[68] 3 killed (6 July),[69] 2 killed (by mines),[70] total of 11 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
  16. ^ "Seven killed in Libya clashes". May 17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Brunnstrom, David (17 May 2011). "NATO denies Libya hit warship off coast near Misrata". Reuters.
  18. ^ "May 19th Updates". 19 May 2011.
  19. ^ NATO-led coalition to use helicopters in Libya
  20. ^ Gaddafi forces shell west, south Misrata - rebels
  21. ^ NATO air strikes rock Libyan capital
  22. ^ http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/05/may-27th-updates/
  23. ^ NATO says destroyed Gaddafi compound guard towers 1
  24. ^ NATO says destroyed Gaddafi compound guard towers 2
  25. ^ Mistrata hospital hell [CNN: 5-28-2011] on YouTube
  26. ^ Britain readies "bunker-busting" bombs for Libya
  27. ^ Libya's Gaddafi: I will not leave my country
  28. ^ Libya oil chief defects, NATO extends campaign
  29. ^ More NATO strikes hit Libya
  30. ^ Misrata rebels in holding pattern, waiting for help
  31. ^ Britain says rebels must plan for post-Gaddafi Libya
  32. ^ Factbox: Latest developments in Libyan conflict
  33. ^ Russian envoy heads to Libya to begin settlement talks
  34. ^ Gaddafi's forces advanced on Libya's Misrata
  35. ^ Libya crisis: Rebels seek to break out of Misrata
  36. ^ Gaddafi’s troops march towards Misrata
  37. ^ Gaddafi forces mount offensive on Misrata but are beaten back
  38. ^ Libyan rebels repel fierce attack by government forces on Misrata
  39. ^ Qaddafi Forces Step Up Misrata Siege, Killing 18 Rebels
  40. ^ Qaddafi Forces Shell Rebels Near Misurata
  41. ^ "Libyan rebels stage insurrection in Zlitan". The Washington Post. 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  42. ^ NATO denies helicopter shot down in Libya
  43. ^ Libyan Forces Shell Rebel Port City In West
  44. ^ Libyan rebels breakout toward Tripoli
  45. ^ At least 21 dead in Libyan fighting
  46. ^ Rockets hit rebel-held refinery near Misrata-witness
  47. ^ NATO targets Tripoli, government shells near Misrata
  48. ^ Libyan Forces Hit Misrata City Center as Qaddafi Vows to Remain in Office
  49. ^ Heavy exchanges near key western Libyan town
  50. ^ Libya: Rebels Launch Rockets Moving Closer to Tripoli
  51. ^ Libyan rebels continue push towards Tripoli
  52. ^ http://wikimapia.org/#lat=32.4056176&lon=14.5896721&z=13&l=0&m=b&search=Zliten%20Libya
  53. ^ Libya says NATO airstrike kills 9 civilians
  54. ^ Inexperience costing rebels in advance on Tripoli
  55. ^ a b Gaddafi rockets dent sense of security in Misrata
  56. ^ NATO: Airstrike targeted high-level Gadhafi command site
  57. ^ Fierce battles continue in western Libya
  58. ^ Rockets hit Libya's Misrata, kill child
  59. ^ NATO loses contact with drone chopper over Libya
  60. ^ Italy ceasefire call exposes NATO split on Libya
  61. ^ Nato chief says alliance will finish job in Libya
  62. ^ Libya says scores killed in NATO strike
  63. ^ Analysis: Misrata's rebels change tactics in dealing with press
  64. ^ Libya bombing campaign enters 100th day
  65. ^ Libyan rebels, Gadhafi forces exchange fire; 11 rebels wounded
  66. ^ Gaddafi can stay in Libya if he quits: rebel chief
  67. ^ Libya denies Russian report Gaddafi seeking way out
  68. ^ The martyred hero Air Marshal Brigadier Ali Attalah Obeidi
  69. ^ Libyan rebels launch assault close to Tripoli
  70. ^ Libya rebels battle in plains south of Tripoli
  71. ^ Libyan rebels push towards Tripoli on two fronts
  72. ^ Libya rebels inch closer to Tripoli
  73. ^ Rebels advance to Tripoli, the UN is preparing to ease sanctions
  74. ^ Misrata Rebels Say They Captured Village After Heavy Fighting
  75. ^ Kadhafi forces counterattack southwest of Tripoli
  76. ^ Qaddafi forces shell rebels south of Libyan capital
  77. ^ Qaddafi Forces Breach Misrata Front Line During Heavy Libyan Fighting
  78. ^ Italy calls for political solution in Libya
  79. ^ Clashes in Libya's Zliten kill 4, wound 22: rebels
  80. ^ 19 rebels killed in Misrata, Algeria, Italy urge political solution to crisis
  81. ^ Libya rebels retake village south of Tripoli
  82. ^ Heavy casualties reported in Libya fighting
  83. ^ 23 Libyan rebels hurt in fighting near Misrata: statement
  84. ^ Libya rebels press pre-Ramadan offensive
  85. ^ Libyan rebels push towards Zlitan
  86. ^ Libya rebels suffer heavy casualties at Brega
  87. ^ Libyan rebels in Zlitan capture key government commander
  88. ^ Libya rebel casualties mount in battle for Zliten
  89. ^ Qaddafi's forces push rebels back from Tripoli
  90. ^ Blasts rock Tripoli as NATO targets Gaddafi compound
  91. ^ http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE76O0DE20110725?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0
  92. ^ Libya's Zlitan increasingly in rebel, NATO sights
  93. ^ http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/17291/World/Region/Libya-says-NATO-killed-,-bombed-food-stocks.aspx
  94. ^ Fuel scarce in Misrata after Gaddafi forces rocket depot
  95. ^ Germany to lend €100m to Libyan rebels
  96. ^ http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL6E7IQ0J020110726?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0

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