Second Gulf of Sidra offensive

Following the success of rebels hostile to the Gaddafi government in Tripoli, rebels in Brega claimed that they had made advances, taking over the entirety of the oil-port town of Brega including its residential and port areas.{{Cite news |last=Chikhi |first=Lamine |last2=Karouny |first2=Mariam |date=2011-03-26 |title=Air strikes hit Gaddafi forces in Misrata |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-misrata-idUKTRE72P21Q20110326 |access-date=2022-10-20}} They then planned to advance westwards.

22 August

A spokesman for the National Liberation Army said on 22 August that Gaddafi's forces had finally retreated westward to Sirte and all of Brega was under the opposition's control.{{cite news|url=http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Gaddafi-forces-quit-Brega-20110822|agency=News24|title=Gaddafi forces quit Brega|date=22 August 2011|access-date=22 August 2011}} This was later denied by Ahmed Omar Bani, the rebels' military spokesman, who said the eastern "front is still at Brega".{{Cite web |url=http://213.158.162.45/~egyptian/index.php?action=news&id=20554&title=Libyan%20rebels%20call%20Gaddafi%20forces%20to%20surrender%20in%20Brega |title=The Egyptian Gazette, Monday, August 22, 2011 |access-date=August 24, 2011 |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602124327/http://213.158.162.45/~egyptian/index.php?action=news&id=20554&title=Libyan%20rebels%20call%20Gaddafi%20forces%20to%20surrender%20in%20Brega |url-status=dead }} Loyalists near Sirte fired a scud missile at Misrata.{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/238558/battle-for-tripoli-key-developments/|title = Battle for Tripoli: Key developments|date = 24 August 2011}}

23 August

A day later, it was confirmed that rebel forces had managed to capture the village of El Agheila and were on their way to Ra's Lanuf.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-23-2011-1357|title=Al Jazeera Live Blog|work=Al Jazeera Blogs|access-date=21 November 2014}} Ra's Lanuf fell to the opposition soon after and they were on the outskirts of the small town of Bin Jawad, 150 km east of Gaddafi's home town of Sirte.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8716240/Libya-Live.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823192455/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8716240/Libya-Live.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 23, 2011|title=Libya: rebel fighters take control of Gaddafi compound|date=21 October 2011|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=21 November 2014}}

It was also reported by Reuters that the rebels were negotiating with Sirte leaders to enter the city without bloodshed.{{cite web|url=http://live.reuters.com/UK/Event/Tripoli_Besieged|title=Reuters live blog 6:55PM entry|work=Reuters|access-date=21 November 2014}}

The rebels managed to advance to the outskirts of the small coastal town of Bin Jawad, resulting in the Second Battle of Bin Jawad, but were unable to progress further due to heavy loyalist resistance in the area.{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/19649/World/Region/Rebels-stuck-at-Bin-Jawad-on-way-to-Gaddafi-hometo.aspx|title=Rebels stuck at Bin Jawad on way to Gaddafi hometown - Region - World - Ahram Online|access-date=21 November 2014}}

More scud missile were fired at Misrata, all reportedly either falling into the sea or causing no damage upon landing {{cite news| url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/08/libya-scud-missiles-misurata.html | work=Los Angeles Times | date=23 August 2011| title=LIBYA: Scud missile attacks on Misurata }}

24 August

On 24 August, a heavy loyalist artillery bombardment caused the rebels to retreat 20 km from Bin Jawad to Sidra.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-25-2011-0352|title=Libya - Aug 25, 2011 - 03:52|work=Al Jazeera Blogs|access-date=21 November 2014}} During the fighting, loyalists ambushed the advancing rebels once again at Bin Jawad, in an echo of an earlier defeat in March. Twenty rebel fighters died in the clashes.[http://www.pleasenews.com/nato-helps-in-hunt-for-qaddafi-as-rebels-gain-momentum NATO Helps in Hunt for Qaddafi as Rebels Gain Momentum]{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8723027/Libya-the-battle-for-control-of-Sirte.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Rob | last=Crilly | title=Libya: the battle for control of Sirte | date=25 August 2011}}

25 August

RAF Tornado aircraft attacked a military bunker in Sirte with precision guided missiles, in an attempt to destroy the government's remaining command and control capabilities, ahead of the rebels planned offensive on the city. NATO aircraft also destroyed 29 armoured vehicles which were moving to Misrata.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14677754 | work=BBC News | title=Libya conflict: Nato jets hit Gaddafi Sirte bunker | date=26 August 2011}} The rebels, for their part, retreated further to Ra's Lanuf to put themselves out of range of rockets fired by pro-Gaddafi forces.{{cite web|url=http://www.citifmonline.com/index.php?id=1.287155.1.537565|title=Hundreds of dead bodies found at Tripoli hospital|work=citifmonline|access-date=21 November 2014}}

27 August

Rebels claimed sending a brigade to negotiate the surrender of Sirte.{{cite journal|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2011/0826/Libyan-rebels-send-brigade-to-negotiate-surrender-of-Sirte|title=Libyan rebels send brigade to negotiate surrender of Sirte|author=The Christian Science Monitor|journal=The Christian Science Monitor|date=26 August 2011|access-date=21 November 2014}} Al Jazeera English reported that there were negotiations between rebels and loyalists in Ra's Lanuf.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-27-2011-1215|title=Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 10:15|work=Al Jazeera Blogs|access-date=21 November 2014}} Later that day, rebel forces were able to recapture Bin Jawad and move closer to Sirte.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/27/libya-hunt-gaddafi-live-blog#block-25|title=Guardian Live Blog|author=Ben Quinn|work=the Guardian|date=27 August 2011|access-date=21 November 2014}}

28 August

NLA forces advanced on two fronts towards the town of Nofaliya, which was captured later that day.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-28-2011-2141|title=Al Jazeera Live Blog|work=Al Jazeera Blogs|access-date=21 November 2014|archive-date=10 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710030001/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-28-2011-2141|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-28-2011-2111|title=Al Jazeera Live Blog|work=Al Jazeera Blogs|access-date=21 November 2014}}

30 August

The National Transitional Council gave the loyalists in Sirte a four-day-ultimatum to surrender or to face military assault.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/08/30/libyas-rebels-give-4-day-ultimatum-to-gadhafi-forces/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707103030/http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/08/30/libyas-rebels-give-4-day-ultimatum-to-gadhafi-forces/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 7, 2012|title=Libya's Rebels Give 4-Day Ultimatum to Gadhafi Forces|access-date=21 November 2014}}

1 September

The ultimatum was extended for another week by the NTC. A spokesman stated that Sirte had no economic importance and that the rebels would not risk casualties for it. Meanwhile, negotiations between tribal leaders from Nofaliya and the Bin Jawad area (on NTC behalf) and from Sirte were still ongoing.{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/09/2011911312986151.html|title=Gaddafi men given extra week to surrender|work=Al Jazeera English|access-date=21 November 2014}} The NLA forces claimed that Harawa, a village 50 km east of Sirte, had surrendered.{{cite journal|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0901/Libya-rebels-postpone-attack-on-Qaddafi-stronghold-in-show-of-confidence|title=Libya rebels postpone attack on Qaddafi stronghold in show of confidence|author=The Christian Science Monitor|journal=The Christian Science Monitor|date=September 2011|access-date=21 November 2014}} NATO bombardment of the area continued unabated, independent of the NTC ultimatums.[http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_09/20110901_110901-oup-update.pdf NATO and Libya. Operational Media Update For 31 August] NATO. Retrieved 13 December 2022

4 September

A NLA commander claimed that the village of Umm El Ghindel agreed to lay down their weapons.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/ntc-commander-fight-in-libya-is-a-long-way-from-over|title=NTC commander: fight in Libya is a long way from over|date=4 September 2011 |access-date=21 November 2014}} Reuters reported that the NLA raised their flag on the entry of the village.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/video/2011/09/04/rebel-flag-raised-outside-sirte?videoId=220244535&videoChannel=1|title=Rebel flag raised outside Sirte|work=Reuters|access-date=21 November 2014}}

6 September

NLA forces advanced 8 km towards Sirte, meeting heavy resistance from loyalist forces. One NLA fighter died in the fighting and at least one loyalist was killed and another wounded. Both sides engaged in artillery duels during the day and three loyalist vehicles were bombed by NATO and two others captured by the NLA. According to frontline commanders, the clashes occurred when a recon patrol was attacked by loyalists and that the attack on Sirte had yet to begin.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110906/world/libyan-troops-advance-on-sirte-in-heavy-fighting.383601|title=Libyan troops advance on Sirte in heavy fighting|work=Times of Malta|access-date=21 November 2014}} Also, to the west of Sirte, NTC forces overran a tribal encampment without resistance, taking over 100 assault rifles and some machineguns.{{cite web |url=http://213.158.162.45/~egyptian/index.php?action=news&id=20843&title=Pro-Gaddafi%20tribe%20disarmed%20near%20Sirte |title=Pro-Gaddafi tribe disarmed near Sirte - the Egyptian Gazette |website=213.158.162.45 |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327093124/http://213.158.162.45/~egyptian/index.php?action=news&id=20843&title=Pro-Gaddafi%20tribe%20disarmed%20near%20Sirte |archive-date=27 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}

8 September

An NLA commander claimed that the Red Valley, east of Sirte, was captured by NLA forces.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8716240/Libya-live.html|title=Libya live: latest developments after Gaddafi downfall|date=21 October 2011|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=21 November 2014}} Eight rebels and three loyalists were killed during the fighting in the valley and one pro-Gaddafi fighter was captured.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/africa/ntc-fighters-itching-to-take-sirte-as-clashes-erupt-in-bani-walid|title=NTC fighters itching to take Sirte as clashes erupt in Bani Walid|access-date=21 November 2014}}

9 September

Opposition forces engaged loyalist troops near Sirte, in the Red Valley,{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8755935/Libya-Gaddafi-loyalists-using-prisoners-as-human-shields-to-protect-Sirte.html|title=Libya: Gaddafi loyalists 'using prisoners as human shields to protect Sirte'|date=11 September 2011|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=21 November 2014}} during the night but withdrew after suffering heavy casualties.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44465824|title=Libya rebels battle for final Gadhafi strongholds|work=NBC News|access-date=21 November 2014}}

10–14 September

During a period of heavy fighting, in which opposition forces attempted to advance toward Sirte but made only gains of a few kilometers, at least 80 rebel fighters were killed.{{cite web|url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/09/14/v-print/1799113/gadhafi-heartland-digs-in-against.html|title=Gadhafi heartland digs in against revolution|access-date=21 November 2014}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} According to the Misrata Military Council, the living conditions inside Sirte were worsening. The city suffered from a lack of water and food.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-14/libya-s-sirte-lacking-food-water-as-anti-qaddafi-fighters-pursue-siege.html|title=Libya's Sirte Short of Food, Water as Anti-Qaddafi Fighters Pursue Siege|author=Chris Stephen|date=14 September 2011|work=Bloomberg|access-date=21 November 2014}}

15-18 September

{{main|Battle of Sirte (2011)}}

On 15 September, NLA forces based out of Misrata moved into Sirte from the west. Opposition troops initially made some gains by capturing the airport south of the city and penetrating the city limits. But by 18 September, the rebels had retreated to the city's outskirts after encountering stiff resistance from well-armed loyalists and suffering heavy casualties.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-idUSTRE7810I820110918|title=Libyan forces retreat again as Gaddafi bastions hold|work=Reuters|date=18 September 2011|access-date=21 November 2014|last1=Golovnina|first1=Emma Farge}}

At the same time, eastern NLA forces captured the village of Harawa in an attempt to support forces from the west which were already engaged in a battle for Sirte itself.{{cite web|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7KG37P20110917?sp=true|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927220052/http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7KG37P20110917?sp=true|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 September 2012|title=WRAPUP 3-Gaddafi strongholds hold out against assaults|access-date=21 November 2014}}

20 September

On 20 September, Al Jazeera reported that eastern NLA forces finally reached the eastern gates of Sirte and thus put Sirte under effective siege from all sides.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-sep-20-2011-1048|title=Libya live Blog|work=Al Jazeera Blogs|access-date=21 November 2014|archive-date=28 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928070756/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-sep-20-2011-1048|url-status=dead}} However, later reports put opposition forces at the town of Khamseen, still another 50 kilometers east of Sirte, facing stiff resistance from loyalist troops.{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/libya-sirte-battle-idUKL5E7KK4AD20110920|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306040833/http://uk.reuters.com/article/libya-sirte-battle-idUKL5E7KK4AD20110920|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2016|title=Ammunition shortage hampers attack on Gaddafi bastion|newspaper=Reuters|date=20 September 2011|access-date=21 November 2014|last1=Madany|first1=Sherine El}}

24 September

On 24 September, NTC forces made another attempt at storming Sirte and captured a few neighbourhoods in the western part of the city. But by the next morning, they again retreated from the western part of Sirte, after meeting strong resistance from loyalist forces.[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/09/2011925104532777522.html Libyan NTC fighters pull back from Sirte] To the east, NLA troops advanced to within 20 kilometers of Sirte.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-sep-24-2011-0908|title=Al Jazeera Live Blog|work=Al Jazeera Blogs|access-date=21 November 2014}}

26 September

Opposition forces continued their offensive against Sirte with NTC tanks shelling the city center from a distance of 2 kilometers from the western outskirts. Meanwhile, the main opposition eastern assault body fought their way to 10 kilometers of the town.{{cite web|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7KQ1XT20110926?sp=true|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928112456/http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7KQ1XT20110926?sp=true|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2012|title=Libyan tanks strike Sirte loyalists|access-date=21 November 2014}}

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{{Libyan civil war}}

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Category:Battles of the Libyan civil war (2011)

Category:Gulf of Sidra