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'{{Infobox military conflict |conflict= Battle of Sirte (2011) |partof= the [[Gulf of Sidra offensive]] of the [[2011 Libyan civil war]] |image= [[File:Gulf of Sirt Front.svg|300px]] |caption= |date= 15 September 2011 – ''ongoing'' |place=[[Sirte]], [[Libya]] |result= Ongoing |combatant1= '''{{flagicon|Libya|1951}} [[National Transitional Council]]''' * {{flagicon|Libya|1951}} [[National Liberation Army (Libya)|Free Libya Millitary]] '''{{flagicon|NATO}} [[2011 military intervention in Libya|NATO command]]'''<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/25/nato-to-enforce-no-fly-zone-over-libya.html| title=Nato takes control of enforcing Libya no-fly zone| accessdate=26 March 2011 | date=25 March 2011}}</ref> |combatant2= '''{{flagicon|Libya|1977}} [[Politics of Libya#Members of the Gaddafi regime|Gaddafi Loyalists]]''' * [[Libyan Army]] * [[Military of Libya#Paramilitary forces|Paramilitary forces]] |commander1={{flagicon|Libya|1951}} [[Hamid Hassy]]<br>{{flagicon|Libya|1951}} [[Mustafa Bendardaf]]<ref name="timesofmalta.com">http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110906/world/libyan-troops-advance-on-sirte-in-heavy-fighting.383601</ref> |commander2={{flagicon|Libya|1977}} [[Al-Mu'tasim-Billah al-Gaddafi]]<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/09/16/libya.war/index.html?hpt=wo_c1 After a day of intense fighting, anti-Gadhafi forces pull back]</ref> |strength1= 12,000 (NTC claim)<ref name="independent.co.uk">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/gaddafis-wife-and-children-flee-to-algeria-2345851.html</ref><br />900 armed pickups<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8766599/Libya-rebels-enter-gates-of-Sirte.html|Agency=Telegraph|date=15 September 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011|title=Libya: rebels 'enter gates of Sirte'}}</ref> 60 tanks |strength2= 20,000+ (Gaddafi claim)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14661783|Agency=BBC|date=25 August 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011|title=Libyan rebels advance on Gaddafi hometown of Sirte}}</ref> 35 tanks</ref>18 İroncland |casualties1= 72 killed,<ref>11 killed (15 September),[http://www.ktre.com/story/15477407/turkish-pm-erdogan-arrives-in-libyan-capital] 13 killed (16 September),[http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/16/3915921/libyan-troops-battle-gadhafi-loyalists.html] 24 killed (17 September),[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14963973] 20 killed (18 September),[http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/09/19/libya.war/] 4 killed (20 September),[http://gaytoday.com/index.php/2011/09/20/libyan-forces-hold-off-on-storming-gaddafi-bastions/] total of 72 reported killed</ref><br>213 wounded,<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-09-20/libyan-council-prepares-for-government-battles-for-sirte.html Libyan Council Prepares for Government, Battles for Sirte]</ref><br>18 captured<ref>{{cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkish-pm-erdogan-arrives-libyan-capital-14533415|Agency=ABC|date=15 September 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011|title=Libyan Fighters Press Into Gadhafi Strongholds}}</ref> |casualties2= Unknown |casualties3= |notes= }} {{Campaignbox 2011 Libyan uprising}} The '''Battle of Sirte''' is a confrontation of the [[2011 Libyan civil war]] that began when the [[National Liberation Army (Libya)|National Liberation Army]] attacked forces loyal to ousted strongman [[Muammar Gaddafi]] in his hometown and designated capital of [[Sirte]], on the [[Gulf of Sidra]]. ==Background== {{main|Gulf of Sidra offensive}} [[Anti-Gaddafi forces]] made a three-pronged advance toward Sirte over the course of several weeks, pushing forward from [[Misrata]] in the west, [[Brega]] in the east, and desert positions in the south, but met fierce resistance and suffered heavy casualties in their effort to reach the city. ==Battle== ===15 September=== A spokesman for the [[National Transitional Council]] claimed that after being stuck no closer than 50km from Sirte for the past several days, opposition fighters had made a major push and reached the western outskirts of Sirte.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/ idAFL5E7KF35L20110915|agency=Reuters|date=15 September 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011|title=Libya interim govt says on outskirts of Sirte}}</ref> NTC forces reached the Gharbiyat Bridge, on the southwestern edge of the city, and were encountering resistance from Gaddafi loyalists.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8766599/Libya-rebels-enter-gates-of-Sirte.html|agency=Telegraph|date=15 September 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011|title=Libya rebels enter gates of Sirte}}</ref> In evening, a NTC military spokesman told Reuters that NTC forces managed to enter the city itself where heavy fighting erupted.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7KF3UU20110915|Agency=Reuters|date=15 September 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011|title=Libyan NTC forces storm Gaddafi's home town}}</ref> A few hours later, the Misrata military council announced that their fighters took control of city center and exit road and were cleaning out pockets of resistance, particularly the beachfront where remnants of the [[Khamis Brigade]] were believed to be holding out. <ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/15/gaddafi-birthplace-captured-by-rebels Gaddafi's birthplace 'captured by rebels' in battle for last Libya coast stronghold]</ref> However, soon after, a spokesman for the opposition forces stated they were 8-10 kilometers from the city center after they had to retreat to treat their casualties.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14941326|Agency=BBC|date=15 September 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011|title=Libya conflict: Anti-Gaddafi NTC forces enter Sirte}}</ref> ===16 September=== [[Al Jazeera]] claimed that Sirte's [[Gardabya Airport|airport]], 10 kilometers south of the city, was under NLA control.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E7KG14F20110916|Agency=Reuters|date=15 September 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011|title=Libyan NTC fighters seize Sirte airport - TV}}</ref> It was also confirmed that rebel forces had to retreat from the city itself the previous night, after entering it briefly, due to encountering heavy resistance. On 16 September, NTC forces launched a larger offensive into the city and heavy fighting ensued on Sirte's main boulevard, 1st of September St.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkish-pm-erdogan-arrives-libyan-capital-14533415|Agency=ABC|date=15 September 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011|title=Libyan Fighters Press Into Gadhafi Strongholds}}</ref> According to a man, claiming to be a spokesman for opposition fighters from inside Sirte, rebels controlled much of the city already, and it had been under siege by pro-Gaddafi forces for several months. The man's identity and his claims could not be independently confirmed.<ref>[http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-sep-16-2011-1314 Fri, 16 Sep 2011, 11:14 GMT+3 - Libya]</ref> By the evening, opposition forces pulled back from the city after a day of chaotic, fierce street fighting, contradicting the earlier report by the claimed opposition spokesman from Sirte. The support the opposition expected from Sirte's residents did not materialize and loyalists showed more fierce resistance than what was anticipated by the rebels.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/09/16/libya.war/index.html?hpt=wo_c1 After a day of intense fighting, anti-Gadhafi forces pull back]</ref> ===17 September=== On 17 September, anti-Gaddafi fighters renewed their offensive. Sirte's interim representative in the NTC said he had information that "there is no full control over Sirte" for either side, with parts of the city remaining under loyalist control and other parts of the city being taken by opposition fighters. At least three anti-Gaddafi fighters were killed in fighting, and many wounded were evacuated to a field hospital set up at a gas station on the outskirts of Sirte.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/17/libya-sirte-bani-walid_n_967474.html|agency=The Huffington Post|date=17 September 2011|accessdate=17 September 2011|title=Libya: Rebels Advance In Sirte, Pull Back From Bani Walid}}</ref> On the eastern front, [[Al Jazeera]] reported anti-Gaddafi forces were still struggling to advance. A correspondent in [[Ra's Lanuf]] said many villages that anti-Gaddafi fighters had entered were found to be deserted, suggesting that their inhabitants had been persuaded to flee by pro-Gaddafi elements.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-sep-17-2011-1318|agency=Al Jazeera Blogs|date=17 September 2011|accessdate=17 September 2011|title=Sat, 17 Sep 2011, 11:18 GMT+3 - Libya}}</ref> Later, opposition forces stated that they had captured the city's airport, which they had already claimed to have done one day earlier.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14962623 Libya conflict: Rebels claim advances in Sirte battle]</ref> An opposition fighter, who was returning from the frontline, stated that rebel forces didn't control even five percent of the city and contradicted his officers claims of the airport takeover by saying that the rebels were only able to enter enemy territory by day but had to pull back during the night.<ref>[http://www.businesslive.co.za/africa/2011/09/17/libyan-ntc-troops-hit-tough-sirte-resistance Libyan NTC troops hit tough Sirte resistance]</ref> ===18 September=== On 18 September, opposition forces made another incursion into Sirte, but by dusk, they had once again retreated to the city's outskirts.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/18/us-libya-idUSTRE7810I820110918 Libyan forces retreat again as Gaddafi bastions hold]</ref> ==NATO Strikes== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="7"|16-19 September NATO Strikes |- !Date ![[Vehicle]]s ![[Tank]]s ![[Missile]]s and [[Rocket launcher|Missile Launchers]] !Buildings ![[Radar]] and [[Antenna]]s |- |16 September<ref>{{cite web|title=NATO and Libya Operational Media Update For 16 September|url=http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_09/20110917_110917-oup-update.pdf|author=Press Release|accessdate=17 September 2011}}</ref> |align=center| 4 Armed Vehicles | align=center| 0 |align=center| 8 Air Missile Systems |align=center| 5 Command and Control Nodes | align=center| 3 Radar Systems |- |17 September<ref>{{cite web|title=NATO and Libya Operational Media Update For 17 September|url=http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_09/20110918_110918-oup-update.pdf|author=Press Release|accessdate=18 September 2011}}</ref> |align=center| 1 Armed Vehicle | align=center| 0 |align=center| 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 4 Surface to Air Missile Systems |align=center| 2 Command and Control Nodes | align=center| 0 |- |18 September<ref>{{cite web|title=NATO and Libya Operational Media Update For 18 September|url=http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_09/20110919_110919-oup-update.pdf|author=Press Release|accessdate=19 September 2011}}</ref> |align=center| 0 | align=center| 0 |align=center| 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher, 4 Air Missile Systems |align=center| 1 Military Facility, 1 Command and Control Node | align=center| 0 |- |19 September<ref>{{cite news|title=NATO and Libya Operational Media Update for 19 September|url=http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_09/20110920_110920-oup-update.pdf|accessdate=20 September 2011|author=Press Release}}</ref> |align=center| 1 Armed Vehicle | align=center| 0 |align=center| 1 Multiple Rocket System |align=center| 0 | align=center| 0 |- !Total !6 !0 !22 !9 !3 |} == References == {{Reflist|30em}} {{2011 Libyan civil war}} [[Category:Battles of the 2011 Libyan civil war]] [[Category:Sirte]] [[ar:معركة سرت]] [[pl:Bitwa o Syrtę (2011)]]'