Battle of Sirte (2015)

Battle of Sirte (2015)
Part of the Second Libyan Civil War
Date14 March – present
(1 month, 2 weeks and 2 days)
LocationSirte, Libya
Result Ongoing
Belligerents
Libya Libya Shield Force

 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Commanders and leaders

Libya General Mohammad al-Ajtal (Army Commander)[1]

Libya Suliman Ali Mousa[2]

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Caliph of ISIL)

  • Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Abu Nabil Al Anbari (ISIL commander of North Africa)
  • Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Ali Al-Qarqaa (ISIL Emir of Nofaliya)
Strength
Unknown

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant 400–500 fighters

40 vehicles[3]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Battle of Sirte refers to the ongoing battle in the region of Sirte, Libya between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Libya Shield Force. ISIL forces have been present in the city since February 2015[4] after the fall of Nofaliya. After that, the Tripoli-based government had decided to send reinforcements to defend the town.[5]

Timeline

The fighting began March 14, 2015 in the city between forces of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and the forces of the Libya Shield Force, no death toll was given but the fighting was described as violent and stopped at dusk.[6]

On 18 March, Ahmed al-Rouissi, a Tunisian ISIL commander, was killed near Sirte during the battle.[7] In the same day, 12 soldiers of the Government of Tripoli were killed during fighting against Islamic State fighters; 10 in Nofaliya and 2 in Ben Jawad[8]

On 25 March, ISIL attacked a Brigade 166 checkpoint 15 kilometers west of Sirte, killing five militiamen.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Combats entre l’EI et Fajr Libya à Syrte". L'Orient-Le Jour. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  2. ↑ "On the Frontline of Libya's Fight Against the Islamic State". Vice. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "Islamic State's takeover of Nawfaliya highlights increasing risks to oil fields and personnel in Libya's Sirte Basin". janes.com. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  4. ↑ RFI (13 February 2015). "Libye: le groupe EI prend le contrôle d’une radio locale à Syrte". RFI. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "L'Expression - Le Quotidien - Combats entre jihadistes de l'EI et miliciens à Syrte". Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  6. ↑ AFP (15 March 2015). "Libye - Libye : combats entre jihadistes de l'État islamique et miliciens à Syrte - Jeuneafrique.com - le premier site d'information et d'actualité sur l'Afrique". JEUNEAFRIQUE.COM. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Frédéric Powelton (18 March 2015). "Libye : un responsable tunisien de l’Etat islamique meurt dans des combats près de Syrte - Sahel Intelligence". Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "Libye: 12 morts dans des combats entre jihadistes de l'EI et miliciens". Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  9. ↑ "ISIS rocket attack kills 5 militiamen in Libya's Sirte". Daily Star. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.