2011 Sabha clashes
Part of the First Libyan Civil War

Gaddafi-era billboard in Sabha
Date8–13 June 2011
(5 days)
Location
Sabha, Libya
Result

Pro-Gaddafi victory

  • Pro-Gaddafi forces retain control of the town[1]
Belligerents

Libya Anti-Gaddafi forces

  • Fighters from the Awlad Suleiman tribe

Libya Gaddafi Loyalists

Commanders and leaders
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
At least 1 killed[2] Unknown

The 2011 Sabha clashes were a series of clashes between forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and rebel anti-Gaddafi forces for control of the desert oasis city of Sabha and a part of the Libyan Civil War which took place during June 2011.

Background

Sabha is a city of around 210,000 people located by an oasis in the Libyan Desert and is home to an important military base.[2] Much of its population are migrants from Chad, Niger, and Sudan.[3] These migrants had been brought to Libya by Gaddafi in the 1980s and given employment and stipends by the regime to ensure their support. In addition, the city is home to a large number of members of the Qadhadhfa tribe, to which Gaddafi belongs.[4] As a result, the city was regarded as a stronghold of pro-Gaddafi sentiment as the anti-regime protests that began across Libya in February 2011 turned into civil war.[2] As the conflict progressed, however, many of the migrants went north to fight against the rebels, draining Gaddafi's major base of support in the city. Those who remained behind were mostly armed young locals and members of the Awlad Suleiman tribe. The Awlad Suleiman bear strong resentment against the regime. Shortly after Gaddafi seized power, members of the tribe were accused of plotting to overthrow him. Many tribesmen were executed and imprisoned as a result.[3]

June clashes

After remaining relatively quiet for much of the conflict, anti-government protests broke out in the city in early June.[2][4] On 8 June, government troops fired into the air to disperse a crowd of protesters, igniting a violent clash between the groups.[3] Anti-Gaddafi Awlad Suleiman tribesmen "liberated several streets" in the city by 11 June, according to the rebel National Transitional Council.[2] Rebels set up checkpoints in the main residential district of Souk al-Namla. Reports indicated that these rebels were armed, partially by weapons from rebels in the north. By 12 June, the city's residents stated that they feared pro-Gaddafi forces and mercenaries from the north were readying to return to Sabha to subdue the opposition elements.[3]

July pro-Gaddafi rally

On 8 July, Gaddafi spoke to a crowd of 50,000 people at a pro-Gaddafi rally.[5] During his speech, he threatened to attack Europe.[6]

August/September

Main articles: Fezzan campaign § Sabha, and Battle of Sabha

On 23 August, more clashes broke out in Sabha. Col Bani called Sabha "the last stronghold for (Gaddafi)."[7] Sabha came under anti-Gaddafi control in late September.

References

  1. ^ "Sudanese army seizes southern Libyan town". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Battles rage in western Libya". ABC News. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d Hadeel al-Shalchi, Maggie Michael (12 June 2011). "Libyan forces fight rebels on several fronts". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  4. ^ a b Shashank Joshi (13 June 2011). "Libya: Illusion of momentum as Nato campaign drags on". BBC. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  5. ^ Libya: anti-Nato rally in Sabha
  6. ^ Gaddafi threatens attacks in Europe
  7. ^ "Battle for Tripoli". BBC News. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
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