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Battle of Tripoli (2011)

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This article is about the battle in August 2011. For the skirmishes in February 2011, see 2011 Tripoli clashes. For other historical battles, see Siege of Tripoli (disambiguation).

Battle of Tripoli
Part of the 2011 Libyan civil war

NTC/NLA control (red), Gaddafi's control (green) and disputed areas (yellow).
Date20 August 2011 – 27 August 2011
Location
Tripoli, Libya
Result

Decisive anti-Gaddafi victory

  • Rebels advanced into Tripoli, capturing Green Square (Martyrs' Square), Bab al-Azizia and claimed to control 80% of the city (as of 25 August 2011)[3]
  • Loyalist forces concentrated in Abu Salim, Gharghur, Victory Park, and Bab 'Akkara near Bab al-Azizia
Belligerents

Libya National Transitional Council

United Nations UN Security Council Resolution 1973 forces[1]

Libya Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

Commanders and leaders

Tripoli Brigade:
Libya Mahdi al-Harati
Libya Abu Oweis
Libya Abdelhakim Belhadj

NATO:

NATO Charles Bouchard		 Libya Muammar Gaddafi
Libya Saif al-Islam Gaddafi
Libya Saadi al-Gaddafi
Libya Khamis Gaddafi
Libya Al-Mu'tasim-Billah al-Gaddafi
Strength
8,000[4] Unknown
Casualties and losses
at least 210 killed[5] 78+ killed,[6] 600 captured[7]
at least 111 civilians killed[8][9][10]
1,676 killed, 5,900 wounded overall (including civilians; claimed by the Gaddafi government)[11]
825 killed, 2,000 wounded overall (including civilians; claimed by the National Transitional Council)[12]
Map showing rebel and loyalist-held territory and troop movements.

The Battle of Tripoli (Arabic: معركة طرابلس maʻarakat Ṭarābulis) is an ongoing military confrontation in Tripoli, Libya, being fought between loyalists of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and the National Transitional Council. The battle began on 20 August 2011, six months after the 2011 Libyan civil war started, with an uprising within the city; rebel forces outside the city planned an offensive to link up with elements within Tripoli, and eventually overtake the nation's capital, which had spanned out over an entire day.

The rebels codenamed the assault "Operation Mermaid Dawn" (Arabic: عملية فجر عروسة البحر ʻamaliyyat fajr ʻarūsat el-baḥr). Tripoli's nickname is "The Mermaid" (Arabic: عروسة البحر ʻarūsat el-baḥr) (literally "bride of the sea").[13]

Background

Opposition in Tripoli

Tripoli was the scene of major clashes and a failed uprising in February 2011. Protesters filled Green Square (since renamed Martyrs' Square[citation needed]), and set fire to the People's Hall of the General People's Congress. Fighting was especially fierce in the city's eastern Tajura district, but loyalist forces were able to crush the uprising, with many casualties on both sides. Loyalists shut down the internet thus cutting access to social networks structuring the opposition, while the extensive design of Tripoli did not allow protests to access critical mass.[14] The opposition was largely weaken, supports being unable to connect anonymously and fearing repression, so active members set up real life meetings, restructuring the local opposition.[14] Some loyalists acting in the repression were actually double agents, informing rebels of the government moves and arrests to come.[14] Further attempts at protests took place over the next few months with little success. While the Coastal offensive came within 30 km of Tripoli, around August 20th[when?], a morning signal announced a new wave of uprisings to launch across Tripoli, while 200 Misrata rebels landed by boats on the northern coast of the city. Residents stated that a nighttime guerrilla war was taking place in the streets of Tripoli, as armed rebels reportedly started to control many of the smaller streets in rebel-sympathizing districts.[15]

August 2011 coastal offensive

Main article: 2011 Libyan rebel coastal offensive

Beginning on 13 August, a Libyan rebel offensive from the Nafusa Mountains broke into the Tripolitanian coast; after heavy fighting, the cities of Sorman, Sabratha and Az Zawiyah were taken on the coast, cutting off loyalist forces from the Tunisian border, and isolating their positions in Zuwara – a city that had already rebelled in February, only to have the uprising put down. Meanwhile, a second rebel offensive took the city of Gharyan, the gateway of the Nafusa Mountains, blocking the road between Tripoli and the loyalist city of Sabha in far southern Libya. Further rebel successes threatened to isolate the loyalist stronghold of Sirte, and took the city of Zliten east of Tripoli. The combined result of these offensives isolated loyalist forces in Tripoli, with rebel forces less than 30 kilometres (20 miles) away.

On 20 August, Libyan rebel sources claimed that Muammar Gaddafi had fled to Tunisia with two of his sons, Mutassim and Hannibal; these reports could not be confirmed.[16] Later, Libyan state television broadcast what it claimed a live speech by Gaddafi from within Libya, bringing into question claims that he had fled earlier.[17]

Significance of date

The rebel leadership stated that they selected the date of the assault to be the 20th day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, marking the anniversary of the ancient Conquest of Mecca.[18]

Timeline of the battle

19 August

The combined assault on Tripoli was reportedly coordinated with NATO.[19] According to rebel sources, weapons were smuggled by tugboat into Tripoli during the evening.[20]

20 August

Rebel forces within Az Zawiyah fought for control of a strategic bridge on the road to Tripoli, 27 kilometres (17 miles) from the capital. They planned for a major offensive on Tripoli that would take place on the following day.[21]

Uprising within Tripoli

In the evening, the uprising within Tripoli began with broadcasts from the city mosques, with the signal of Iftar (إفطار) – the moment Muslims observing Ramadan break their evening fast.[22] Prominent opposition members confirmed that the rebels had been shipping weapons into Tripoli for several weeks, in preparation for this uprising. The centre of the uprising was said to be Ben Nabi Mosque in the city centre, when young men gathered there; prayers were cancelled and women sent home, while the men began shouting anti-Gaddafi slogans, using the loudspeakers to broadcast their chants across the city. Loyalist forces arrived and attempted to assault the mosque, but were driven back by armed residents, taking refuge in the state TV centre nearby.[23] Tripoli residents barricaded their streets and districts with burning tires, joining up with other anti-government opponents.[16] The uprisings quickly spread through Tripoli, notably the neighbourhoods of Fashloum, Souq al-Juma, Tajura and Ben Ashur, and continued throughout the rest of the city.[24] That night, heavy fighting was reported in the neighbourhoods of Suq al Jum'a and Arrada street,[25] while anti-Gaddafi locals closed off the major Alsika street.

During the night, rebels reportedly captured the Tripoli International Airport, as well as a weapons depot inside the capital.[26] Tripoli residents received text messages from the government, asking them to go out onto the street and 'eliminate the armed agents'.[27] Heavy fighting within the capital was confirmed by reporters within the city, who heard explosions and sustained gunfire.[28]

Initially, a governmental spokesman stated that all was safe and well within the city, and that loyalist forces remained in control of Tripoli.[29] Later, he stated that "armed militants" had "escaped into some neighbourhoods", causing "a few scuffles", but the governmental forces "dealt with it within a half hour, and it is now calm."[30]

21 August

Rebel forces began advancing east from Az Zawiyah towards Tripoli; they took the town of Jadda'im, east of Zawiya, meeting only light resistance from loyalist forces.[31][32] Next, the town of Al-Mayah just west of Tripoli was taken.[33]

Boats from Misrata and Zliten carrying rebel forces and arms landed in Tripoli in the early morning, joining rebels within the city in the fight.[34]

Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera both reported that the uprising continued as of the early morning; many rebels were reported dead in the district of Qadah, while the Mitiga International Airport was reportedly surrounded by rebel forces, who attempted to obtain its surrender.[35][36] The entire Tajura district was captured by rebel forces, while fighting in Suk al-Juma, Araba district and Mitiga International Airport continued.[37] Heavy fighting was also reported in the districts of Qadah in western Tripoli, Zawiyat al Dahmania,[38] Fashloum, and Ben Ashur. A rebel representative stated that the operation was "going easily", with the end target being Gaddafi's Bab al-Azizia compound.[39]

A resident speaking to Al Jazeera from Tajura in Tripoli said that about 450 prisoners in poor health were freed from a military base after locals took control of the area and pushed out Gaddafi forces, who were shelling the neighbourhood.[40]

By the afternoon, resident rebels had fully taken control of Tajura, Suq al-Jumaa, Arada, and al-Sabaa neighbourhoods in Tripoli. Fighting was still ongoing in the Ben Ashhour, Fashlom, and Zawiyat al-Dahmani neighbourhoods in Tripoli; the rebels also controlled large portions of the Fashloum, Zawiyat al-Dahmani, and Mansoura districts.[41] They also took control of a Tripoli mobile-telephone company.[42]

At 6:04 p.m. BST, the BBC News reported that rebel forces were 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) west of Tripoli.[43] At 6:39 p.m. BST, it reported that rebels had entered Tripoli from the west.[44] At 7:02 p.m. BST, it reported that the rebels have reached the suburb of Janzour and were greeted by civilians.[45]

Rebel forces advancing from Az Zawiyah entered the Janzour suburb of Tripoli during the evening, seemingly facing no resistance as they passed through the western suburbs headed for the city centre, greeted by cheering crowds waving the rebels tricolour flag.[46][47]

Main headquarters of Khamis Brigade in Tripoli had been sacked by rebels.[48]

In a night-time press conference, governmental spokesman Moussa Ibrahim stated that there were an estimated 1,300 killed and 5,000 wounded in the Battle for Tripoli; he blamed the death toll on NATO.[49]

Civilians were reportedly celebrating in Tripoli's streets as rebel forces entered the city with little resistance.[31] A senior rebel official, Fathi al-Baja, told the Associated Press that one of the reasons for his group's rapid advance was that the commander of a loyalist battalion assigned to defend the city was sympathetic to the rebels since the regime had killed his cousin years ago, such that when rebels reached the gates of Tripoli, the battalion promptly surrendered.[50]

Reported capture of two of Gaddafi's sons

On 21 August, the NTC chairman claimed that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi had been captured[51][52] and the UK representative of the NTC repeated the claim[53][54] to the satisfaction of the International Criminal Court which stated that they would be contacting the NTC to make arrangements for him to be handed over, so that he may face trial for crimes against humanity.[55][56] However, early on 23 August, Saif al-Islam appeared to be quite obviously not in rebel custody as he appeared at the Rixos Al Nasr hotel where several foreign journalists were located and offered to give reporters a tour of loyalist-controlled areas.[57]

Al Jazeera also reported in its video that Muhammad al-Gaddafi, Muammar Gaddafi's oldest son, had handed himself over to rebel forces.[58] Later, it was reported that he had not voluntarily surrendered himself, and one rebel was killed while capturing him.[59] Al Jazeera confirmed the capture, and interviewed Muhammad; he took an apologetic tone, and blamed what caused the revolution as lack of wisdom.[60] However, it was reported later that Muhammed escaped from house arrest the next day with the aid of loyalist forces.[61]

22 August

By 1:00 a.m. Tripoli time, rebels stated that 90 percent of Tripoli had been captured, including Green Square in central Tripoli.[62] Al Jazeera and the BBC News, among other news stations, all reported and confirmed that opposition fighters had entered Green Square.[63][64]

At 1:15 a.m. Tripoli time, the NTC announced that rebels had taken control of Tripoli International Airport to the south of the city.[65]

In the early morning, a major rebel commander stated that there were still pockets of loyalist resistance within Tripoli, and asked police to stay alert at their posts.[66]

In the morning, Agence France-Press reported that fighting was ongoing near Gaddafi's compound and in the south of the city. A rebel commander said that the loyalists still controlled 15 to 20 percent of the city. Initially one, then multiple tanks left the Gaddafi residence, and began shelling areas of Tripoli.[67][68] Heavy fighting continued around the Rixos Al Nasr hotel, which housed foreign journalists in Tripoli and remained a government stronghold.[68] Journalists were not allowed to leave the hotel by government forces and were described as being used as a "human shield".[69]

A column of hundreds of armed rebels carrying rocket launchers was reported heading towards Green Square.[70]

An independent Libyan news channel reported some looting at the expatriate Palm City village, just outside of Tripoli, but this could not be confirmed.[71] Fighting continued around the Gaddafi compound and near the port, with loyalists using tanks to defend the area.[72]

BBC News confirmed that the Libyan state television channels went off air by the afternoon, and that rebels were in control of the state TV building.[67]

The situation in Tripoli was confused, but loyalist forces were definitively known to remain in control of Bab al-Azizia, the Rixos Al Nasr hotel, a hospital in Tajura,[73] and part of the port.[74] The situation at the Mitiga International Airport was unclear, though many news organizations reported that rebels had taken it.[75]

During the afternoon, rebels pulled back from an area near Green Square, in what they claim was a plan to launch a coordinated offensive elsewhere. Rebel forces in Tajura said they were negotiating with loyalist forces, holed up in the local hospital, to surrender.[76]

In the evening, rebel forces who were fighting in the western part of Tripoli were pushed back.[77] Also, reports seem to indicate that Mohammed Gaddafi managed to escape house arrest with the help of loyalist fighters.[78]

In the night of 22 August, a rebel said that he expected a hard fight for Gaddafi's compound, confirmed Mohammed Gaddafi's escape and said that rebels were establishing checkpoints at the entrances of Tripoli.[79]

Misrata's local military council said they sent several ships "with a large number of fighters and ammunition on board" as reinforcements to Tripoli.[40]

Status of Gaddafi family

The location of Muammar Gaddafi was unclear on 22 August; it was thought that he could still have been staying in Tripoli, surrounded by remaining forces in his Bab al-Azizia compound, but this was yet to be determined.[80] Another report had him in the Tajura cardiac hospital.[81] Al Jazeera reported that Muammar Gaddafi allegedly had successfully resisted an attempt to arrest him at the hospital.[82]

Mutassim Gaddafi was allegedly remaining in the Bab al-Azizia compound directing the remaining defenses,[83][84] while Khamis Gaddafi (who had earlier been rumored killed in an airstrike at Zliten) was reported to be leading loyalist tank forces in a counterattack against central Tripoli, in an attempt to relieve the siege of Bab al-Azizia.[85][86]

Al Arabiya reported that a third Gaddafi son, Al-Saadi al-Gaddafi, had been captured by the rebels, citing the head of the NTC.[87] He had been reported captured as well the previous day, so it was unclear when and where the capture took place.[88]

On 22 August, two charred bodies were found in Tripoli that Al Jazeera suggested could be the bodies of Khamis and Muammar Gaddafi's brother-in-law Abdullah Senussi.[89][90] However, a rebel commander later stated that he believed Khamis Gaddafi was in Bab al-Azizia.[91]

23 August

Very early in the morning, CNN reporter Matthew Chance reported that he had seen and spoken to Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in a convoy of armoured Land Cruisers near the Rixos Al Nasr hotel.[92] Al Arabiya reported via Le Figaro that a rebel confirmed that Saif had been captured, but then escaped.[93][94] The rebels later confirmed that Saif had been in their custody, but escaped in the chaos of the situation.[95]

It was reported that the port area and surroundings were now under rebel control, though the time and circumstances of capture was unclear.[96][97]

By the afternoon, Al Jazeera correspondent Zeina Khodr confirmed that rebels were in control of Green Square, now renamed Martyrs' Square by the rebels. She said that heavy clashes were taking place in Mansoura, and that rebels had advanced within 500 metres (1,600 feet) from Bab al-Azizia.[98]

The assault on Bab al-Azizia soon began. The Guardian described the attack as preceded by heavy bombardment of mortars, rockets, and small arms fire.[99] Later in the afternoon, rebels assaulted and took a gate of Bab al-Azizia.[98] Loyalist forces attempted to defend the compound for some time, but their resistance later ended, with rebels pouring into the compound and firing into the air in celebration.[100][101][102] Rebels stormed Gaddafi's personal residence, and hoisted their flag above it.[103] Al Arabiya confirmed that the rebel flag was above the house.[104] Reporters were shown stacks of official documents including Gaddafi's personal medical files as additional proof. Further reports showed what appeared to be a gold-plated Dragunov sniper rifle[105] retrieved from the compound,[106] as well as his hat and golf-cart.[107] Al Jazeera showed live video inside the Bab al-Azizia compound at 19:30 (Tripoli time).[108] No information on Gaddafi's or his family's whereabouts were reported from the captured compound.[109] Gaddafi spoke in a radio address afterwards, claiming that the loss of Bab al-Azizia was only a "tactical move".[110]

In the evening, a rebel spokesman announced that rebel fighters were able to secure the Abu Slim district, which was known to have relatively strong loyalist sentiment.[111] Fighting at Bab al-Azizia restarted as loyalist forces bombarded their former stronghold with mortars and gunfire. International journalists pulled back from the base and one Al Jazeera journalist was wounded.[112]

24 August

Around noon, there were reports of fighting within the inner sanctum of the Bab al-Azizia compound, as snipers reportedly hiding in trees in the recreational area of the compound were still present.[113] The rebels, meeting fierce resistance, continued to use heavy weaponry to expose loyalists and destroy fortifications in the center of the compound.[114] At one point, the rebels were pushed back from the center of the complex to the outer wall.[115] Fighting was also reported from the Rixos Al Nasr hotel area. Reporters from inside the hotel reported that Gaddafi loyalists prevented them from leaving the compound, effectively taking them hostage amid gunfire from snipers and dwindling food supplies[116] [117] [118] Fighting was also continuing in the Abu Salim district, which the rebels claimed to have captured the previous day,[119] and later it was reported that loyalists were still in control of the area, as well as the al-Hadhba district.[120]

Around 5 p.m., Tripoli time, all foreign reporters and staff that had been restricted to within the Rixos Al Nasr hotel were able to leave the compound in four vans of the Red Cross.[121] Italy also reported that four Italian reporters were kidnapped near Zawiya. [114]

It was confirmed that rebel forces had been in full control of Tripoli International Airport for four days, and that Gaddafi's personal planes were still on the ground. Despite the airport being secure, clashes were still ongoing on the road near the airport.[122]

The NTC announced full amnesty to anyone close to Gaddafi who killed or captured him. A businessman also offered a $1.67 million reward.[114]

Rebel fighters and armed residents continued to create and staff checkpoints. Lawlessness was avoided and celebration continued in Green Square.[114]

Al-Saadi al-Gaddafi contacted CNN, stating that he had the authority to negotiate on behalf of loyalist forces, and wished to discuss a ceasefire with US and NATO authorities. This appeared to contradict earlier rebel claims of his capture.[123]

25 August

Rebels stated that they had nearly captured Gaddafi when they raided a private house and found evidence that he had spent at least a night there previously.[124] They also besieged a compound where they believed him to be hiding, though they did not explain the reasons for the belief.[125] Opposition forces were also still trying to fight their way into the Abu Salim and Al Hadba al Khadra areas, where loyalists were still in control.[126][3] It was also reported that Gaddafi loyalists destroyed a Libyan Airlines passenger plane that was parked at Tripoli International Airport. [127] Meanwhile, sporadic yet heavy artillery fire occurred at the Tripoli International Airport when rebels tried to take control of a highway leading from the airport to the capital.[128] Dan Rivers of CNN also reported a "fierce firefight in one corner of Moammar Gadhafi's compound" at about 2:00 local time.[129]

Reuters reported that rebels stormed the Abu Salim district after a NATO airstrike. [130]

26 August

The fighting was not as intense, yet still sporadic firefights broke out in the city, which by then had appeared to be rebel-held. The rebel commander felt this and announced that the city had been liberated. Abdul Majid Mgleta, a high ranking member of the rebel forces, said that despite resistance in the outskirts of the city, they hoped to capture Gaddafi within the next few days. After noon prayers, hundreds marched in Martyr's Square chanting "Hold your head high! You are a free Libyan", similar to a cry heard in Cairo's Tahrir Square.[131] At two loyalist camps in the Tripoli area, Khilit al-Ferjan and Qasr Ben Ghashir, loyalists killed "numerous detainees" according to eyewitnesses. Grenades and gunfire were used on a large group of prisoners after about 160 escaped from a metal hangar.[132]

27 August

During the night anti-Gaddafi forces were able to secure a village in the vicinity of Tripoli International Airport, Qaşr Bin Ghashīr.[133] They also claimed that the loyalist-held area in Greater Tripoli had been reduced to just one compound.[134]

NATO strikes

According to NATO's daily "Operational Media Updates", the NATO strikes in the Tripoli vicinity during the offensive hit:

20–24 August NATO strikes
Date Missiles and missile launchers Tanks Vehicles Radars Buildings Anti-aircraft guns
20 August
[135] 		9 surface-to-air missile launchers 1 2 technicals 2 3 command and control facilities and 1 military facility 0
21 August
[136] 		1 surface-to-surface missile and 2 multiple rocket launchers 0 7 surface-to-air missile transloaders, 2 technicals, and 2 armoured fighting vehicles 1 3 military facilities, 1 military storage facility, and 3 command and control facilities 0
22 August
[137] 		0 Missiles 0 0 Vehicles 0 0 Buildings 0
23 August
[138] 		3 surface-to-air missile systems 0 2 armoured fighting vehicles and 2 military heavy equipment trucks 1 0 Buildings 0
24 August
[139] 		1 Surface-to-air missile system and 1 multiple rocket launcher 0 1 Military heavy equipment truck 1 2 Military storage facilities 2
Total 17 1 18 5 13 2

Influences on other fronts

On 22 August, at least three Scud-B missiles were fired from a base near the Gaddafi stronghold of Sirte at the rebel city of Misrata.[140] The missiles reportedly did not cause any damage.[141][142]

On 23 August, additional Scud-B missiles were fired from Sirte at Misrata.[143]

See also

References

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  5. ^ 133 killed (20 August),[1] 24 killed (23-24 August),[2][3][4] 31 killed (24 August),[5][6] 22 killed (25 August),1749: Wyre Davies BBC Middle East correspondent[7] total of 210 reported killed
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  9. ^ Civilian casualties mount in Tripoli
  10. ^ Libyan capital Tripoli faces water, power crisis
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  133. ^ Libyan rebels claim victory south of Tripoli
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