Battle of Ajdabiya

Ajdabiya was the site of anti-government protests on 16–17 February 2011 in which up to 10 people were said to have been killed, some by pro-government snipers.Black, Ian. "[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/17/libya-day-of-rage-unrest Libya's day of rage met by bullets and loyalists]". The Guardian, 17 February 2011 Protesters quickly took control of the city and declared it to be a "Free City" after burning down the local government headquarters.Spencer, Richard; Ramdani, Nabila. "[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8336990/Middle-East-crisis-Libyan-protests-move-closer-to-Tripoli.html Middle East crisis: Libyan protests move closer to Tripoli]". The Daily Telegraph, 20 February 2011.

On 15 March 2011, government forces advancing from Brega (which they had captured just a few hours earlier) hit Ajdabiya with a rolling artillery barrage. Air and naval strikes also hit the city. The city had been subjected to airstrikes for the previous three days. Rebels had stated on 13 March, that they would defend the city to the death. However, as soon as the attack started, all of the rebel forces that were not local (from Ajdabiya) were in full retreat, with some of the civilian population, toward Benghazi. Following the artillery strikes, loyalist ground troops attacked. The rebels had expected the loyalists to come in from the west, and they did. However, another separate government force had outflanked the rebels and attacked the city from the south. The loyalists quickly overran the western rebel defences and took the western gate into the city. Also, government soldiers had taken the eastern gate of the city, preventing any more rebels from retreating toward Benghazi. The city was surrounded and the junction at Ajdabiya was under government control, opening the way for them to Benghazi. After the encirclement was complete, government battle tanks went into Ajdabiya all the way to the city center. They encountered the rebel remnants and street fighting ensued. While the fighting was going on in the streets, two old rebel air-attack fighters, sent from Benghazi, attacked the government naval ships that had been pounding the city from the sea. According to independent news sources, only one ship was hit, while the rebels claimed they hit three warships, of which two sank. After a few hours, most of the city was under government control, however, in order to avoid surprise attacks by hidden rebels during the night, the tanks retreated to the outskirts of the city. The rebels thought they had won. However, just before midnight, a new round of artillery fire hit Ajdabiya, coming from the loyalist forces that were all around the town.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/africa/16libya.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=world | title=Libyan Forces Rout Rebels as West's Effort for No-Flight Zone Stalls | access-date=15 March 2011 | date=15 March 2011 | work=The New York Times | first=Anthony | last=Shadid}}{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-15 |title=Libya Live Blog – 15 March |publisher=Al Jazeera Blogs |date=14 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011}}

On 16 March, fighting continued with neither side having the upper hand in the battle or in full control of the town.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16|title=Libya Live Blog – 16 March|access-date=16 March 2011}} Government forces returning from the front said in interviews that rebel resistance was fierce. During the day, a force of rebel reinforcements, coming from Benghazi, came to within a few kilometers from the eastern entrance to the city before they were engaged by loyalist troops. They made a small corridor to link up Benghazi with Ajdabiya, but pro-Gaddafi troops still had a strong presence on the eastern outskirts of the city. Also, rebels had managed to retake the southern entrance to the city, while the western entrance was still under government control. Three rebel helicopters had attacked pro-Gaddafi forces on the highway at the west entrance where they were preparing for a final push into the city with more weapons, ammunition and troop reinforcements coming in from Sirte.[http://aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E12CB0F7-BED9-45C5-AEFF-EC8866801766.htm?GoogleStatID=9] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723010917/http://aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E12CB0F7-BED9-45C5-AEFF-EC8866801766.htm?GoogleStatID=9|date=23 July 2011}} (in Arabic)

Just after midnight on 17 March, government troops attacked the southern gate of the city. After three hours of fighting, they had retaken it. Later during the morning loyalist forces closed the corridor on the eastern side of the city. With this, the city was once again firmly surrounded. While the fighting was going on in Ajdabiya, more government troops landed from the sea, in an amphibious attack, at the small oil port town of Zuwetina, that is to the north on the road between Ajdabiya and Benghazi. The town fell quickly to loyalist forces.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/cf-18-jets-to-help-enforce-libya-no-fly-zone-1.1003364|title=Gadhafi forces bombing Benghazi: witnesses|date=17 March 2011 | work=CBC News}} However, rebel leaders claimed that they had surrounded the government landing force and were engaging them.{{cite news|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFWEA926720110317|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320054214/http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFWEA926720110317|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 March 2011|title=Rebels deny Gaddafi troops on Benghazi outskirts|date=17 March 2011 | work=Reuters Africa|agency=Reuters}} The next day the rebels claimed, several of their fighters, along with a number of civilians, were killed and 20 government soldiers captured in fighting at the port.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418|title=As it happened: Libya crisis|date=18 March 2011|work=BBC News}}

With a no-fly zone put in place on 19 March, and air-strikes on Gaddafi's force's supply and tank convoys, the rebels on 20 March, started an advance from Benghazi to attempt to reach Ajdabiya.{{cite news|first=Chris |last=McGreal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/20/libya-air-strikes-rain-down |title=Coalition attacks wreak havoc on ground troops |work=The Guardian |date=20 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011 |location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110322200526/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/20/libya-air-strikes-rain-down| archive-date= 22 March 2011 | url-status= live}} Along the way, they retook the town of Zuwetina.{{cite web |url=http://www.9news.com/news/article/188807/339/Buoyed-by-strikes-Libya-rebels-try-to-advance- |title=Coalition extending no fly zone over Libya |publisher=9news.com |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716223747/http://www.9news.com/news/article/188807/339/Buoyed-by-strikes-Libya-rebels-try-to-advance- |archive-date=16 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} On 21 March, advancing rebel forces from Benghazi attempted to attack Ajdabiya, trying to relieve the rebels inside the city and drive out the loyalist troops. However, their attack was repelled by government troops supported by fire from tanks and multiple rocket launchers. The rebels retreated to a checkpoint {{convert|19|km}} from the city.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/world/africa/22libya.html?_r=2&hp |title=U.S.-Led Assault Nears Goal in Libya |newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011 |first1=Elisabeth |last1=Bumiller |first2=Kareem |last2=Fahim| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110323222323/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/world/africa/22libya.html?_r=2&hp| archive-date=23 March 2011| url-status= live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/kadhafi-strongholds-bombed-as-misrata-said-overrun-20110321-1c3hw.html |title=Kadhafi strongholds bombed as Misrata said overrun |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=21 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011 |first=Imed |last=Lamloum}} That night, U.S. aircraft fired on some loyalist positions at Ajdabiya, that were reported to be shelling the city.{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-23/coalition-watching-qaddafi-son-s-elite-unit-u-s-commander-says.html |title=Coalition Watching Qaddafi Son's Elite Unit, U.S. Commander Saysl |date=23 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405140715/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-23/coalition-watching-qaddafi-son-s-elite-unit-u-s-commander-says.html |archive-date=5 April 2011}}

The next morning, rebels, along with a Guardian reporter that was with them, claimed that the plumes of smoke from the city were from government targets that were hit by the U.S. air-strikes the previous night.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-22 |title=Live Blog Libya – 22 March |publisher=Al Jazeera Blogs |date=21 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110322102249/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-22| archive-date= 22 March 2011 | url-status= live}} The rebels claimed that at least three loyalist tanks were destroyed at the eastern entrance to the city by Coalition air-strikes.{{cite news|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/24/libya-live-blog-coalition-airstrikes-continue-in-tripoli/?hpt=T1|title=Battle for Ajdabiya|access-date=24 March 2011|work=CNN|archive-date=26 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326001320/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/24/libya-live-blog-coalition-airstrikes-continue-in-tripoli/?hpt=T1|url-status=dead}} An Al Jazeera news crew filmed the wreckage of one tank at a checkpoint that was established by the rebels as part of the frontline.

On 23 March, coalition jets launched air-strikes against Gaddafi forces at the eastern gate.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-23 |title=Libya Live Blog – 23 March |publisher=Al Jazeera Blogs |access-date=25 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323105338/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-23 |archive-date=23 March 2011 |url-status=dead}} People fleeing the city stated that only the center of the city remained in rebel hands while the suburbs were under government control.{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/africa/view/20110323libyan_forces_pull_back_from_western_city/srvc=news&position=recent_bullet |title=Strikes force Gadhafi back; NATO ships patrol sea |publisher=BostonHerald.com |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011}} Reporters from the Independent were led on a two-day tour of Ajdabiya by the government and saw no evidence of large-scale destruction that was claimed by the rebels.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/tanks-flee-after-strikes-but-ground-troops-remain-2251297.html# |title=Tanks return after fleeing but air force is 'destroyed' |work=The Independent |date= 24 March 2011|access-date=25 March 2011 |location=London |first1=Donald |last1=MacIntyre |first2=Kim |last2=Sengupta}}

On 24 March, Gaddafi's forces were still holding the main east and west gate areas of the city and most of the town, except the city centre, and managing to hold off the advancing rebel troops from entering the city with the help of mortar and artillery fire.{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/03/201132521514375515.html |title=Fight for Ajdabiya continues |work=Al Jazeera |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011}} Late on 24 March, some outside rebel forces managed to get into Ajdabiya, and the situation in the city was becoming fluid, with large parts of the town changing sides. During the night, British fighter jets launched air-strikes on Gaddafi force's tanks and armored vehicles.{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RafTornadosAttackLibyanArmouredVehicles.htm |title=Military Operations | RAF Tornados attack Libyan armoured vehicles |publisher=UK Ministry of Defence |date=20 February 2007 |access-date=25 March 2011}}

By 25 March, the western and central part of the city were controlled by the loyalists while the eastern part was controlled by the rebels.{{cite web|url=http://www.euronews.net/2011/03/25/situation-critical-in-ajdabiya-says-reporter/ |title=Situation critical in Ajdabiya says reporter |publisher=Euronews.net |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110414155016/http://www.euronews.net/2011/03/25/situation-critical-in-ajdabiya-says-reporter/| archive-date= 14 April 2011 | url-status= live}} Early in the morning, the opposition council relayed a message to Gaddafi's forces in the city through local tribal leaders. They called upon the loyalists to lay down their weapons and surrender. However, government troops refused the offer of surrender, and the rebels were starting to mass on the edge of the city for an offensive to attack Ajdabiya. During the afternoon, four rebel multiple rocket launchers, that were brought to the frontline, started firing on loyalist positions. Government artillery responded to the attack.{{cite web |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/March/international_March1405.xml§ion=international |title=Libya rebels prepare for new Ajdabiyah offensive |publisher=Khaleejtimes.com |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=25 March 2011 |archive-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001184724/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/March/international_March1405.xml§ion=international |url-status=dead }} Just before evening, the rebel offensive on the Gaddafi controlled areas of the city was called off after forward rebel units were repelled by loyalist armored units at the gates of the town further continuing the stalemate.{{cite news|first=John |last=Simpson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12864460 |title=Libya's Gaddafi 'arming volunteers' |work=BBC News |date= 25 March 2011|access-date=25 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110326030912/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12864460| archive-date= 26 March 2011 | url-status= live}}

During the night, some rebel units were still managing to get into the city through the corridor established the previous evening{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-25 |title=Live Blog Libya – 25 March |publisher=Al Jazeera Blogs |access-date=27 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110325121527/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-25| archive-date= 25 March 2011 | url-status= live}} and British aircraft destroyed seven loyalist tanks in and around the city.{{Cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/video/africa/2011/03/2011326135528826662.html|title = Libya rebels take Ajdabiya}} By this point, the city was divided between the loyalist-held western side and the rebel-held eastern side.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}

On 26 March, rebel fighters in Ajdabiya claimed to be in control of the city, a claim confirmed by Al Jazeera reporters on the ground.{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201132521323292102.html |title=Libyan rebels enter Ajdabiya town |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=27 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110331103946/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201132521323292102.html| archive-date= 31 March 2011 | url-status= live}} Libya's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said government forces pulled out of Ajdabiya after another night of coalition strikes, Reuters reports. He accused Western forces of directly aiding the rebels.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120921083502/http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE72P06020110326 Libya forces pull out from Ajdabiyah -official] Rebels then headed to Brega and managed to capture the city.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-26 |title=Live Blog Libya – 26 March |publisher=Al Jazeera Blogs |date=26 March 2011 |access-date=27 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110326105831/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-26| archive-date= 26 March 2011 | url-status= live}}{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Video-Libyan-Rebels-Retake-Brega-And-Ajdabiyah-After-Gaddafi-Forces-Flee-Amid-Coalition-Airstrikes/Article/201103415960556?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_3&lid=ARTICLE_15960556_Video%3A_Libyan_Rebels_Retake_Brega_And_Ajdabiyah_After_Gaddafi_Forces_Flee_Amid_Coalition_Airstrikes_ |title=Video: Libyan Rebels Retake Brega And Ajdabiyah After Gaddafi Forces Flee Amid Coalition Airstrikes |publisher=Sky News |access-date=27 March 2011}}

Al Jazeera received reports that pro-Gaddafi Libyan army general Bilgasim al-Ganga was captured by rebels during the night of 25 March.

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{{Libyan civil war}}

Ajdabiya

Ajdabiya

Category:Al Wahat District

Category:March 2011 in Africa

Category:Ajdabiya

Category:Battles in 2011

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