Military history of Libya
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 History of Libya |
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The Military History of Libya covers the period from the ancient era to the modern age.
[edit] Islamic Conquest
In 647 an army of 40,000, led by ‘Abdu’llah ibn Sa‘ad penetrated into western Libya. Tripoli was taken from the Byzantines, followed by Sufetula. The campaign lasted fifteen months, after which Abdallah's force returned to Egypt after Gregory's successor Gennadius promised them an annual tribute of some 330,000 nomismata.
[edit] Spanish and Ottoman Conquest
By the 15th century Libya was a haven for pirates. Hapsburg Spain occupied Tripoli in 1510, but the Spaniards were more concerned with controlling the port than with the inconveniences of administering a colony. Ferdinand V took Tripoli and in 1528 gave it to the Knights of St John of Malta.
In 1538 Tripoli was reconquered by a pirate king called Khair ad-Din and the coast became renowned as the Barbary Coast. The Ottomans arrived to occupy Tripoli in 1551, they saw little reason to rein in the region. It would be more than two centuries before the pirates' control of the region was challenged.
[edit] Barbary Wars
The Barbary Wars was a series of military conflicts between the North African States and the United States. The sovereign authorities in these states demanded that all ships crossing or using their harbors pay duties and tax when traveling in their sovereign waters in the Mediterraneans sea. When the United States refused to pay, merchant vessels were seized by local Tripolitanian authorities and the crew was held for trial for trespassing.
The United States government responded by deploying its navy to region along with the Marines to combat the North African state of Tripolitania. This was the first overseas conflict of the United States. Both Barbary Wars resulted in American victories, as the Americans see it. Libyans also claim victory as the ship Philadelphia was deceived and lured then captured by Libyans. They cite continued harbor duty payments as evidence. The Philadelphia stayed until 1805 when the matter was resolved.
[edit] Italo-Turkish War
The Italo-Turkish War was a Colonial War fought between the Ottoman Empire and Italy from September 29, 1911 to October 18, 1912. Italy seized the Ottoman provinces of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, together forming what became known as Libya. Libyans see it as Turkey selling Libya at the treaty of Lousanne. Libyan resistance was fierce and one of the top leaders was Sa'adon Al Swehli.
[edit] Resistance against Italian Occupation
After the Italian victory, Omar Mukhtar organized and devised strategies for the Libyan resistance against the Italian colonization. Mukhtar was skilled in desert tactics. He knew his country’s geography and used that knowledge to his advantage in battles against the Italians. Mukhtar would led his guerrilla fighters in successful attacks against the Italians.
Mukhtar’s twenty year struggle came to an end when he became wounded in battle and captured by the Italian army. Mukhtar was tried, convicted, and sentenced to be executed by hanging in a public place.
[edit] World War II
During World War II, Idris supported the United Kingdom and brought the Cyrenaican nationalists to fight alongside the Allies against the Axis, which had occupied Libya. With the defeat of the German's army under Erwin Rommel, Idris was able to return to Benghazi.
[edit] Coup d'etat
On September 1, 1969, a small group of military officers led by Muammar al-Gaddafi staged a coup against King Idris. The new regime headed by the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC), abolished the monarchy and proclaimed Libyan a republic.
[edit] Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War was the fourth major conflict between Israel and the neighboring Arab States. Lybia was among the many Arab nations to contribute to the war with both militay and financial aid. During the Yom Kippur War, Libya sent squadrons of Mirage fighters and gave Egypt around $1 billion in arms.
[edit] Uganda-Tanzania War
During the Uganda-Tanzania War, Muammar al-Gaddafi sent 3,000 troops to aid Amin government. However the Libyans soon found themselves on the front line, while behind them Ugandan Army units were using supply trucks to retreat. Tanzanian and UNLA forces met little resistance and invaded Uganda.
[edit] Libyan-Egyptian War
The Libyan-Egyptian War was short border skrmish between Libya and Egypt in July 1977. Tensions between the two countries had increased during April and May as demonstrators attacked the embassies of both countries. On July 21, 1977 gun battles between troops on the border began, followed by land and air attacks. A ceasefire was agreed to on July 24.
[edit] Gulf of Sidra Incident
In the Gulf of Sidra incident (actually two events, one in 1981 and another in 1989), fighters from the United States Navy F-14 Tomcats engaged in combat against fighters from the Libyan Air Force. During both events the United States Navy F-14 Tomcats defeated the Libyan Air Force.
[edit] First Gulf of Sidra incident
In the first Gulf of Sidra incident (1981), two United States Navy F-14 Tomcats from the USS Nimitz engaged and shot down two Libyan Su-22s off of the Libyan coast.
[edit] Second Gulf of Sidra incident
The second Gulf of Sidra incident occurred when two United States Navy F-14 Tomcats shot down two Libyan MiG-23s that appeared to be attempting to engage them.
[edit] Chadian-Libyan conflict
The Chadian-Libyan conflict was marked by a series of four separate Libyan interventions in Chad. Libyan leader Gaddafi had the support of a number of factions participating in the civil war. The Chadian government had the support of the French and with that country's military intervention defeated the Libya.
[edit] Second Congo War
The Second Congo War was a major conflict in Africa between 1998 and 2003. It was one of the bloodiest conflicts in modern history. During the Second Congo War, Libya supported the Democratic Republic of the Congo by providing planes that transported soldiers from Chad to the region.
[edit] References
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