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Battle of Tripoli
Part of 2011 Libyan uprising
Situation as of the 1 March.   Areas controlled by Anti-Gaddafi forces.
Date 17 February 2011 - Ongoing Location Tripoli, Libya Result Ongoing
Belligerents
Anti-Gaddafi forces	Pro-Gaddafi forces
Casualties and losses
275 killed (by Feb. 24/IFHR claim), 25 killed (on Feb.26/opposition claim)	Unknown

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During the 2011 Libyan uprising, control of the capital city of Tripoli was considered key to the rebels' attempt to overthrow the Libyan government and President Muammar al-Gaddafi. During the early days of the uprising there were reports of unrest in the city, but the city remains under the control of the regime.

Background

Muammar al-Gaddafi has ruled Libya since overthrowing the monarchy in 1969. As the 2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests caused revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, which both border Libya, Gaddafi was reportedly still in full control, being the longest-ruling non-royal head of state. However, the protestors want democracy, and Libya's corruption perception index in 2010 was 2.2, worse than Tunisia or Egypt.

Timeline

17 February–19 February

Centred on Green Square, Tripoli, protesters have taken to the streets since the 'Day of Revolt' on 17 February 2011. The next few days saw attempted prison-breaks, a bank looting, and night protests that overcame police.

20 February–23 February

On 20 February, snipers fired on crowds to control Green Square, as protesters burned down police stations and the General People's Congress building. Reportedly, the state television building was also burned down on 21 February. "Indiscriminate" bombing happened across Tripoli according to eyewitness reports. On 22 February, the justice ministry at al-Shuhadaa square and the Shaabia headquarters joined the list of razed government buildings in the "paralyzed" capital. Asharq Al-Awsat reported that African mercenaries were killing the injured in Tripolitanian hospitals. Eyewitnesses reported that thousands of these African mercenaries were flown into Tripoli to put down the uprising. Gaddafi's calls for a struggle against protesters led to a general abandonment of Tripoli's streets, although when this happened on 23 February allegations were made that Gaddafi was losing control in the capital city. By 23 February, Tripoli was considered to be in an unstable condition.

24 February–1 March

The term the "Battle of Tripoli" was first used on 24 February as each side prepared, including defected military units reorganizing and Gaddafi deploying tanks in suburban neighbourhoods. Pro-Gaddafi forces fired on a sit-in supportive of the uprisings in Tripoli in a mosque in Az Zawiyah, killing 10. On 25 February, there was another mass protest with an unknown death toll. Tripoli's Mitiga International Airport may have been taken by the protesters on 25 February. On the 26th an attack was expected when electricity was cut, but the only fighting was in the western suburb of Ghut Ashaal and the Tajoura district, which anti-Gaddafi forces gained. The National Libyan Council formed by the rebels in Benghazi, their interim capital, said through their spokesman Hafiz Ghoga that "we will help liberate other Libyan cities, in particular Tripoli through our national army, our armed forces, of which part have announced their support for the people." Various countries, such as the UK and USA have considered creating a no-fly zone under United nations guidance to prevent warplanes being used and mercenaries being flown in, but only over Tripoli. The no fly zone was rejected by Russia and China, the Russian foreigh minister rejected the idea and instead supported sanctions and the Chinese spokesman said their priority was, "for the violence to end, to avoid casualties and to make constructive efforts to help Libya return to peace and stability." On 1 March the British prime minister, David Cameron backtracked from his comments regarding the no fly zone and Saif Gaddafi who is British educated, accused Cameron of wanting to be a hero, and described Cameron's military threats as a "like a joke" and said, that if military action was taken, "we are ready we are not afraid."

Gaddaffi loyalists remain in control in Tripoli and on 1 March it was reported that many shops were closed and the few banks that opened had queues outside. Also on 1 March a convoy of twenty government aid trucks left Tripoli with food and medicine for the rebel-held eastern city of Benghazi.

References

1. Correspondents in Paris (24 February 2011). "Over 640 die in Libya unrest". News AU. Retrieved 24 February 2011. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
2. "US imposes sanctions on Gaddafi, Tripoli the focus". Reuters. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
3. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/latest-world-news/2011/02/21/libyan-protesters-battle-for-control-of-tripoli-91466-28207204/
4. http://www.afrol.com/articles/37438
5. http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/22/stories/2011022258342000.htm
6. http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/6454/World/Region/Terror-in-Tripoli-as-Gaddafi-set-for-battle.aspx
7. Viscusi, Gregory (23 February 2011). "Qaddafi is no Mubarak as regime overthrow may trigger a 'descent to chaos'". Bloomberg. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
8. Whitlock, Craig (22 February 2011). "Gaddafi is ecccentric but the firm master of his regime, Wikileaks cables say". Washington Post.
9. "Corruption perceptions index 2010 results". Corruption Perceptions Index. Transparency International. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
10. "Anti-government protesters killed in Libyan clash".
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12. WL Central. "19 February 2011 World: It is Libyan blood on your hands that you let shed today. #Libya #Feb17". WL Central. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
13. "Libyan People's Hall on fire as protesters riot". RIA Novosti. 21 February 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
14. Christian Lowe (21 February 2011). "UPDATE 1-Government building on fire in Libyan capital". Reuters.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
15. "Libya: Violent Protests Paralyse Country As Colonel Gaddafi's Son Warns Of Civil War". World News. Sky News. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
16. "Report: Military Aircraft Bomb Libyan Protesters". MyStateline. 2011-02-21.
17. "Libyan People's Hall on fire as protesters riot". RIA Novosti. 2011-02-21.
18. Christian Lowe (2011-02-21). "UPDATE 1-Government building on fire in Libyan capital". Reuters.
19. "カダフィ包囲網狭まる＝「自国で死ぬ」と強調－体制、崩壊過程に" (in Japanese). Jiji Press. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
20. "Gaddafi clings to power as supporters desert". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
21. "Tripoli Streets Deserted After Gadhafi Urges Attacks on Protesters". VOA News. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
22. "Pressure mounts on isolated Gaddafi". BBC News. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
23. Dziadosz, Alexander (23 February 2011). "Fear stalks Tripoli, celebrations in Libya's east". The Vancouver Sun. Reuters. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
24. Dziadosz, Alexander (23 February 2011). "Fear stalks Tripoli, celebrations in Libya's east". The Vancouver Sun. Reuters. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
25. "Libyan forces shoot protesters – Africa". Al Jazeera English. 20011-2-25. Retrieved 2011-02-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
26. "Fresh reports of Tripoli fighting – air base may have fallen to rebels". Times of Malta. 2011-02-25. Retrieved 2011-02-25. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
27. "Libya in turmoil – live updates". The Guardian. 2011-2-25. Archived from the original on 2011-02-25. Retrieved 2011-02-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
28. "Tripoli braces for battle as Gaddafi digs in". ABC News. 2011-2-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
29. "Gaddafi forces abandon parts of Tripoli". National Post. 2011-02-26. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
30. http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Libya+rebels+form+council+oppose+foreign+intervention/4355242/story.html
31. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/02/britain-working-on-plans-for-a-no-fly-zone-over-libya/1 (USA Today)
32. "World China tells West to back off". The Morning Star. March 1, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
33. ^ "Cameron backtracks on Libya no-fly zone plan as US distances itself". The Guardian. March 1, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
34. "Libya removed from Human rights counsil". Channel Four News. March 1, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
35. "Teacher wants to return to Libya". This is Gloucestershire. March 1, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2011.

• 2011 Libyan protests
• Conflicts in 2011
• Battles involving Libya