2011 Libyan Civil War: 2011 armed conflict in the North African country of Libya

It began in the middle of February 2011. Many Libyans were inspired by the uprisings in neighbouring countries, such as Tunisia and Egypt. They violently protested against the government. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi sent troops and tanks to break up the rebellion. Al-Qaeda started bombing, and rebels began forming their own government. The war led to the death of Gaddafi in October, and of thousands of other people.

Libyan Civil War
Part of the Arab Spring and Libyan Crisis (2011–present)
From left to right: Armed pro-government supporters; Pro-government protesters gathered in Green Square, now known as Martyrs' Square; anti-Government protesters in Benghazi; Libyan rebels on a captured T-55 tank.
Date 15 February – 23 October 2011 (8 months, 1 week and 1 day) Location Libya Result Rebel victory Overthrow and collapse of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Death of Muammar Gaddafi and end of his rule over Libya Assumption of interim control by National Transitional Council (NTC) UN authorisation of NATO military intervention Diplomatic recognition of NTC as sole governing authority for Libya by 105 countries, UN, EU, AL and AU Factional violence leading to another civil war in 2014
Belligerents
National Transitional Council National Liberation Army Libyan Islamic Fighting Group Anti-Gaddafi tribes  Qatar Enforcing UNSC Resolution 1973:  NATO NATO members  Belgium  Bulgaria  Canada  Denmark  France  Greece  Italy  Netherlands  Norway  Romania  Spain  Turkey  United Kingdom  United States Other countries  Jordan  Sweden  United Arab Emirates Minor border clashes:  Tunisia	Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Libyan Armed Forces Paramilitary forces Pro-Gaddafi tribes Foreign mercenaries (alleged) supported by  Zimbabwe  Belarus  Algeria  Syria
Commanders and leaders
Mustafa Abdul Jalil Omar El-Hariri Jalal al-Digheily Abdul Fatah Younis † Suleiman Mahmoud Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah J.C.C Bouchard	Muammar Gaddafi † Saif al-Islam Gaddafi (POW) Khamis Gaddafi † Mutassim Gaddafi † Saif al-Arab Gaddafi † Al-Saadi Gaddafi (POW) Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr † Massoud Abdelhafid Mahdi al-Arabi (POW)
Strength
17,000 defecting soldiers and volunteers,[not in the source given] 200,000 volunteers by war's end (NTC estimate) International Forces: Numerous air and maritime forces (see here)	20,000–40,000 soldiers and militia
Casualties and losses
5,904–6,626 opposition fighters and supporters killed (other estimates: see here)	3,309–4,227 soldiers killed (other estimates: see here), 7,000 captured*
Estimated total casualties from all sides, including civilians: 9,400–20,000 killed, 4,000 missing, 50,000 injured (other estimates: see here)
*Large number of loyalist or immigrant civilians, not military personnel, among those captured by rebels, only an estimated minimum of 1,692+ confirmed as soldiers

The conflict began with series of demonstrations and riots. There were many small protests of about 300-500 people throughout January. Major protests did not begin until 14 February 2011. The demonstrations were protesting against the Government of Libya and its leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. The conflict grew as thousands of people joined the protests. Gaddafi vowed to hunt them down and "clean Libya house by house" until all rebels are gone. However, some of Gaddafi's soldiers began joining the rebels in protest. The protests are thought to have been inspired by the successful uprising in Tunisia and Egypt.

According to NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent, Richard Engel, who entered Libya and had reached the city of Tobruk on 22 February 2011 was quoted as saying, "the protest movement is no longer a protest movement, it's a war. It's open revolt." and on 22 February, The Economist described the protests as an "uprising that is trying to reclaim Libya from the world's longest-ruling autocrat". On 21 February, the Libyan Air Force aircraft attacked civilian protesters in Tripoli which caused international condemnation. By this time, over 300 to 2,000 were dead and over 5,000 were injured.

There were small battles until February 24, when Gaddafi sent tanks and troops into Misrata and attacked. Then, on March 6, launched a counter-offensive against Rebels. This lasted until 12 March. He regained Ra's Lanuf and Brega. The Rebels gained power when NATO and other countries began bombarding Gaddafi's forces with attack aircraft.

The Rebels' launched a counter-offensive on March 27 that lasted until April 1. The Rebels regained a few cities.

The Battle of Misrata was the fiercest battle in the civil war. The Hamza Brigade fought for Gaddafi against the Rebels from 24 February to 12 March. The Khamis Brigade, run by Gaddafi's son Khamis, rolled in and nearly destroyed the entire city. The rebels won the battle and took control of the city.

End

The rebels also won in Benghazi and other places. They took Tripoli in August. In October the fighting diminished, and the rebels declared victory. His enemies killed Gaddafi on 20 October 2011.