Sidra, Libya
Sidra
السدرة | |
|---|---|
Town | |
  Sidra Location in Libya | |
| Coordinates: 30°37′46″N 18°21′01″E / 30.62944°N 18.35028°E | |
| Country |  Libya |
| Region | Tripolitania |
| District | Sirte |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
| Population (1995)[2] | |
| • Total | 9,186 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
Sidra or Sidr (Arabic: السدرة) is a port about 23 km west of Ra's Lanuf in Libya. It is Libya's largest oil depot, shipping about 447,000 barrels per day (71,100 m3/d),[3] and during the Cold War gave its name to the 'Gulf of Sidra', an alternative name for the Gulf of Sirte. Sidra Airport is directly next to the port.
History
This oil port increased in importance as Libya's economy developed in the last quarter of the 20th century.
Libyan Civil War
During the Libyan Civil War, forces under the leadership of the National Transitional Council captured the port of Sidra at the beginning of March 2011. Pro-Gaddafi forces tried to retake the port from the anti-Gaddafi forces some days later.
Second Libyan Civil War
During the Second Libyan Civil War, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's Libyan branch launched an attempt to seize the port in January 2016. At least one oil storage tank was set ablaze by a long-range rocket.
In late 2018, government forces recaptured the town from rebels and were working to reopen the port.[4]
As General Khalifa Haftar's forces advanced towards Tripoli, they captured Sirte on 6 January 2020 and also the port from government forces.
On 26 June 2020, the Russian Wagner Group mercenaries seized and secured Libya's largest oilfields and also deployed Wagner mercenaries to secure and saveguard the oil port.[5]
External links
References
- ^ "Marina: Ras Es Sider (Sirte, Baladiyat Surt)". Port Booker. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ Amraja M. el Khajkhaj, "Noumou al Mudon as Sagheera fi Libia", Dar as Saqia, Benghazi-2008, p.111.
- ^ Javier Blas and David Blair (1 March 2011). "Oil groups seek Libyan rebels' assurances". Financial Times.
- ^ "Libyan army recaptures oil hub".
- ^ "Russian Oil Grab in Libya Fuels U.S.-Kremlin Tensions in Mideast". wsj.com. 23 July 2020.
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