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{{Infobox military conflict |
{{Infobox military conflict |
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|conflict= Cyrenaican Desert Campaign |
|conflict= Cyrenaican Desert Campaign |
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| − | |partof= [[Libyan |
+ | |partof= [[2011 Libyan Civil War|Libyan Civil War]] |
|image= |
|image= |
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|caption= |
|caption= |
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|date= 3 April – 12 June 2011 |
|date= 3 April – 12 June 2011 |
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| − | |place=Eastern Libyan Desert, Libya |
+ | |place=Eastern [[Libyan Desert]], [[Libya]] |
|result=Indecisive |
|result=Indecisive |
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*Pro-Gaddafi forces capture and hold [[Kufra]] from 28 April to 7 May |
*Pro-Gaddafi forces capture and hold [[Kufra]] from 28 April to 7 May |
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* [[Libyan Army (1951–2011)|Libyan Army]] |
* [[Libyan Army (1951–2011)|Libyan Army]] |
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* [[Armed forces of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|Paramilitary forces]] |
* [[Armed forces of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|Paramilitary forces]] |
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| − | |commander1= {{flagicon|Libya|1951}} Saleh Muhammad al-Zaruq<ref name="islamidavet">[http://www.islamidavet.com/english/2011/04/03/kufras-security-chief-joined-the-libyan-revolutionaries/ Kufra’s Security Chief Joined The Libyan Revolutionaries !]</ref><br>{{flagicon|Libya|1951}} Abdullah Aitha<ref> |
+ | |commander1= {{flagicon|Libya|1951}} Saleh Muhammad al-Zaruq<ref name="islamidavet">[http://www.islamidavet.com/english/2011/04/03/kufras-security-chief-joined-the-libyan-revolutionaries/ Kufra’s Security Chief Joined The Libyan Revolutionaries !]</ref><br>{{flagicon|Libya|1951}} Abdullah Aitha<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/18197/World/Region/Libyan-rebels-NATO-bombs-camel-weapons-caravan-.aspx|title=Libyan rebels: NATO bombs camel weapons caravan|publisher=|accessdate=21 November 2014}}</ref> |
|commander2= Belqasem Al-Abaaj |
|commander2= Belqasem Al-Abaaj |
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|strength1= |
|strength1= |
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}} |
}} |
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{{Campaignbox Libyan civil war}} |
{{Campaignbox Libyan civil war}} |
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| − | The '''Cyrenaican desert campaign''' was a military campaign conducted by the Libyan military in the form of hit-and-run attacks against rebel-held towns and oil facilities in the eastern Libyan Desert that began in April 2011, during the [[Libyan |
+ | The '''Cyrenaican desert campaign''' was a military campaign conducted by the Libyan military in the form of hit-and-run attacks against rebel-held towns and oil facilities in the eastern [[Libyan Desert]] that began in April 2011, during the [[2011 Libyan Civil War|Libyan Civil War]]. The campaign failed in denying [[anti-Gaddafi forces]] control of southern [[Cyrenaica]]. |
==Campaign== |
==Campaign== |
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On 3 April, the security chief for the Kufra region, Saleh Muhammad al-Zaruq, declared his, and his troops, support for the rebels and broke off from the Gaddafi government, taking control of the area.<ref name="islamidavet" /> |
On 3 April, the security chief for the Kufra region, Saleh Muhammad al-Zaruq, declared his, and his troops, support for the rebels and broke off from the Gaddafi government, taking control of the area.<ref name="islamidavet" /> |
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| − | On 4 April, loyalist forces blew up a crucial water pipeline near Jalu in an attempt to cut water supplies for rebel-held east Libya. However, during the process, they also inadvertently destroyed part of the pipeline system supplying west Libya as well as the east.<ref> |
+ | On 4 April, loyalist forces blew up a crucial water pipeline near Jalu in an attempt to cut water supplies for rebel-held east Libya. However, during the process, they also inadvertently destroyed part of the pipeline system supplying west Libya as well as the east.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.libyafeb17.com/2011/07/video-gaddafi-forces-cut-access-to-oil-and-water/|title=Gaddafi forces cut access to oil and water|publisher=|accessdate=21 November 2014}}</ref> |
On 6 April, the Gaddafi government stated that a NATO air-strike on the Sarir oil field left three oil facility security guards dead.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE7352B620110406|title=Libya says NATO air strike hits major oil field|date=7 April 2011 | work=Reuters Africa|agency=Reuters|first=Maria|last=Golovnina|location=Tripoli|accessdate=14 January 2012}}</ref> However, the rebels, which were already in control of the oil field per some reports, claimed that it was not a NATO but a loyalist ground attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE7360AU20110407|title=Rebels say Gaddafi, not British, attacked oilfield|first=Alexander|last=Dziadosz|work=Reuters Africa|agency=Reuters|date=7 April 2011|accessdate=14 January 2012|location=Benghazi}}</ref> |
On 6 April, the Gaddafi government stated that a NATO air-strike on the Sarir oil field left three oil facility security guards dead.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE7352B620110406|title=Libya says NATO air strike hits major oil field|date=7 April 2011 | work=Reuters Africa|agency=Reuters|first=Maria|last=Golovnina|location=Tripoli|accessdate=14 January 2012}}</ref> However, the rebels, which were already in control of the oil field per some reports, claimed that it was not a NATO but a loyalist ground attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE7360AU20110407|title=Rebels say Gaddafi, not British, attacked oilfield|first=Alexander|last=Dziadosz|work=Reuters Africa|agency=Reuters|date=7 April 2011|accessdate=14 January 2012|location=Benghazi}}</ref> |
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On 6 May, loyalist forces attacked a rebel checkpoint between Jalu and Kufra, killing six rebel fighters. The next day, loyalists conducted a hit-and-run attack against Jalu and the smaller oasis town of Ojla. The rebels also claimed to have re-taken Kufra, but loyalist forces were still in the surrounding area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1127456/1/.html|title=Gaddafi steps up attacks across Libya: rebels|date=7 May 2011}}</ref> |
On 6 May, loyalist forces attacked a rebel checkpoint between Jalu and Kufra, killing six rebel fighters. The next day, loyalists conducted a hit-and-run attack against Jalu and the smaller oasis town of Ojla. The rebels also claimed to have re-taken Kufra, but loyalist forces were still in the surrounding area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1127456/1/.html|title=Gaddafi steps up attacks across Libya: rebels|date=7 May 2011}}</ref> |
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| − | On 25 May, rebel forces attacked government troops near Kufra, destroying a weapons-laden vehicle. They claimed that the loyalist force was composed of Sudanese mercenaries.<ref> |
+ | On 25 May, rebel forces attacked government troops near Kufra, destroying a weapons-laden vehicle. They claimed that the loyalist force was composed of Sudanese mercenaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Libyan-rebels-Sudan-mercenaries-clash-20110525|title=Libyan rebels, Sudan mercenaries clash|work=News24|accessdate=21 November 2014}}</ref> |
| − | On 12 June, the last loyalist raid against rebel positions occurred when a force of government troops attacked the Mislah and Sarir oil fields. On 1 July, The Daily Telegraph reported that, mid-June, a Sudanese military force crossed the Libyan border and took control of Kufra and the nearby military base. They had also surrounded the oil fields, but did not appear to be disrupting efforts to resume oil production. Still, the oil fields had suffered extensive damage due to loyalist raids and time was needed to repair them. The fate of the rebel contingent in Kufra was unknown.<ref> |
+ | On 12 June, the last loyalist raid against rebel positions occurred when a force of government troops attacked the Mislah and Sarir oil fields. On 1 July, [[The Daily Telegraph]] reported that, mid-June, a Sudanese military force crossed the Libyan border and took control of Kufra and the nearby military base. They had also surrounded the oil fields, but did not appear to be disrupting efforts to resume oil production. Still, the oil fields had suffered extensive damage due to loyalist raids and time was needed to repair them. The fate of the rebel contingent in Kufra was unknown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8611199/Sudanese-army-seizes-southern-Libyan-town.html|title=Sudanese army seizes southern Libyan town|date=1 July 2011|work=Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=21 November 2014}}</ref> Sudan later denied any military involvement in Libya.<ref>[http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-repudiates-reports-on,39419 Sudan repudiates reports on occupying Libyan town]</ref> |
| − | By 27 June, it was reported loyalist forces were still holding strategic points near Kufra.<ref> |
+ | By 27 June, it was reported loyalist forces were still holding strategic points near Kufra.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/energy/marshalling-libyas-oil-supplies-key-to-qaddafis-downfall|title=Marshalling Libya's oil supplies key to Qaddafi's downfall|publisher=|accessdate=21 November 2014}}</ref> |
==Aftermath== |
==Aftermath== |
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{{main|Fezzan campaign}} |
{{main|Fezzan campaign}} |
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In July 2011, [[National Liberation Army (Libya)|National Liberation Army]] brigades out of Kufra reportedly seized control of much of [[Murzuq District]] in the [[Fezzan]] and threatened to march on [[Sabha, Libya|Sabha]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904233404576458154035344420.html|work=Wall Street Journal|date=20 July 2011|title=Rebels Move Toward Gadhafi Stronghold}}</ref> |
In July 2011, [[National Liberation Army (Libya)|National Liberation Army]] brigades out of Kufra reportedly seized control of much of [[Murzuq District]] in the [[Fezzan]] and threatened to march on [[Sabha, Libya|Sabha]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904233404576458154035344420.html|work=Wall Street Journal|date=20 July 2011|title=Rebels Move Toward Gadhafi Stronghold}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{Libyan civil war}} |
{{Libyan civil war}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | {{Wikipedia|Cyrenaican desert campaign}} |
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| − | |||
| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Battles involving Libya]] |
[[Category:Battles involving Libya]] |
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[[Category:Conflicts in 2011]] |
[[Category:Conflicts in 2011]] |
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[[Category:Kufra District]] |
[[Category:Kufra District]] |
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| − | [[Category:Cyrenaica]] |
+ | [[Category:History of Cyrenaica]] |
Revision as of 01:39, 1 December 2014
| Cyrenaican Desert Campaign | |||||||
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| Part of Libyan Civil War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Saleh Muhammad al-Zaruq[1] Abdullah Aitha[2] | Belqasem Al-Abaaj | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 25 killed | At least 3 killed | ||||||
| 5 civilians killed | |||||||
The Cyrenaican desert campaign was a military campaign conducted by the Libyan military in the form of hit-and-run attacks against rebel-held towns and oil facilities in the eastern Libyan Desert that began in April 2011, during the Libyan Civil War. The campaign failed in denying anti-Gaddafi forces control of southern Cyrenaica.
Campaign
On 3 April, the security chief for the Kufra region, Saleh Muhammad al-Zaruq, declared his, and his troops, support for the rebels and broke off from the Gaddafi government, taking control of the area.[1]
On 4 April, loyalist forces blew up a crucial water pipeline near Jalu in an attempt to cut water supplies for rebel-held east Libya. However, during the process, they also inadvertently destroyed part of the pipeline system supplying west Libya as well as the east.[3]
On 6 April, the Gaddafi government stated that a NATO air-strike on the Sarir oil field left three oil facility security guards dead.[4] However, the rebels, which were already in control of the oil field per some reports, claimed that it was not a NATO but a loyalist ground attack.[5]
On 21 April, a convoy of nine loyalist vehicles attacked the rebel-held al-Boster oil facility in the Libyan desert, about 300 kilometres (190 mi) south west of Tobruk. Eight of the nine rebels that were stationed at the pumping station were killed in the attack while the ninth managed to escape while seriously wounded.[6]
On 28 April, loyalist forces entered the town of Kufra, also called Al Jawf, which is the capital of the Kufra District and re-took control of the town from the rebels. The opposition forces put up only light resistance and retreated almost immediately. After that, a convoy of government troops in 50-60 pick-up trucks drove into the city centre and raised the green flag in front of the town's court house. Three people were killed during the initial shelling of Kufra, according to the pro-rebel Brnieq newspaper website.[7]
On 30 April, government troops advanced further north to the town of Jalu, which is just south of the frontline town of Ajdabiya. The military convoy ran through the town opening fire and killing at least 10 people, at least five of them opposition fighters.[8] Three pro-Gaddafi soldiers were killed during the fighting. The convoy than proceeded to the city's northern outskirts and divided into two groups, each positioning itself for the night at Jalu's two oil facilities.[9]
On 1 May, rebels claimed that NATO aircraft hit and destroyed 45 loyalist vehicles while the government military convoy was leaving Jalu.[10] However, NATO made no mention of the convoy destruction during its daily operational update for 1 May,[11] and no NATO or independent confirmation of the claim or the attack was established.
On 6 May, loyalist forces attacked a rebel checkpoint between Jalu and Kufra, killing six rebel fighters. The next day, loyalists conducted a hit-and-run attack against Jalu and the smaller oasis town of Ojla. The rebels also claimed to have re-taken Kufra, but loyalist forces were still in the surrounding area.[12]
On 25 May, rebel forces attacked government troops near Kufra, destroying a weapons-laden vehicle. They claimed that the loyalist force was composed of Sudanese mercenaries.[13]
On 12 June, the last loyalist raid against rebel positions occurred when a force of government troops attacked the Mislah and Sarir oil fields. On 1 July, The Daily Telegraph reported that, mid-June, a Sudanese military force crossed the Libyan border and took control of Kufra and the nearby military base. They had also surrounded the oil fields, but did not appear to be disrupting efforts to resume oil production. Still, the oil fields had suffered extensive damage due to loyalist raids and time was needed to repair them. The fate of the rebel contingent in Kufra was unknown.[14] Sudan later denied any military involvement in Libya.[15]
By 27 June, it was reported loyalist forces were still holding strategic points near Kufra.[16]
Aftermath
In July 2011, National Liberation Army brigades out of Kufra reportedly seized control of much of Murzuq District in the Fezzan and threatened to march on Sabha.[17]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kufra’s Security Chief Joined The Libyan Revolutionaries !
- ↑ "Libyan rebels: NATO bombs camel weapons caravan". http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/18197/World/Region/Libyan-rebels-NATO-bombs-camel-weapons-caravan-.aspx. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ↑ "Gaddafi forces cut access to oil and water". http://archive.libyafeb17.com/2011/07/video-gaddafi-forces-cut-access-to-oil-and-water/. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ↑ Golovnina, Maria (7 April 2011). "Libya says NATO air strike hits major oil field". Reuters Africa. Tripoli. http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE7352B620110406. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ↑ Dziadosz, Alexander (7 April 2011). "Rebels say Gaddafi, not British, attacked oilfield". Reuters Africa. Benghazi. http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE7360AU20110407. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ↑ Sayah, Reza (24 April 2011). "Eight rebels killed in attack on Libyan oil pumping station". CNN. Tripoli. http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/23/libya.attack/index.html?hpt=T1. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ↑ Noueihed, Lin; Boumzar, Abdelaziz (28 April 2011). "Libyan forces overrun rebels on Tunisian border". Reuters Africa. Tripoli, Libya and Dehiba, Tunisia. http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/04/28/idINIndia-56635120110428. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ↑ "Deadly Gaddafi assault on Libyan oasis town: Rebels". Straits Times. 1 May 2011. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_663424.html.
- ↑ "Gaddafi assault on Libyan oasis town". New Zealand Herald. Benghazi. 1 May 2011. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10722695&ref=rss. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ↑ "NATO air strike destroyed a convoy of 45 Gaddafi vehicles near Jalu". 1 May 2011. http://english.libya.tv/2011/05/01/nato-air-strike-destroyed-a-convoy-of-45-gaddafi-vehicles-near-jalu/.
- ↑ "Update: NATO activities in Libya on May 2". 2 May 2011. http://www.acus.org/natosource/update-nato-activities-libya-may-2.
- ↑ "Gaddafi steps up attacks across Libya: rebels". 7 May 2011. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1127456/1/.html.
- ↑ "Libyan rebels, Sudan mercenaries clash". News24. http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Libyan-rebels-Sudan-mercenaries-clash-20110525. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ↑ "Sudanese army seizes southern Libyan town". Telegraph.co.uk. 1 July 2011. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8611199/Sudanese-army-seizes-southern-Libyan-town.html. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ↑ Sudan repudiates reports on occupying Libyan town
- ↑ "Marshalling Libya's oil supplies key to Qaddafi's downfall". http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/energy/marshalling-libyas-oil-supplies-key-to-qaddafis-downfall. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ↑ "Rebels Move Toward Gadhafi Stronghold". Wall Street Journal. 20 July 2011. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904233404576458154035344420.html.
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