Volunteers reportedly guarded the port, local banks and oil terminals to keep the oil flowing. A further UN resolution authorised member states to establish and enforce a no-fly zone over Libya, and to use "all necessary measures" to prevent attacks on civilians,[65] which turned into a bombing campaign by the forces of NATO against military installations and civilian infrastructure of Libya. 03/19/2019 12:04 AM EDT. [340], In January 2013, the new Libyan government, based on figures still being checked, estimated the number of killed to be actually far lower than previous estimates, with 4,700 rebel supporters and a similar number of Gaddafi supporters killed during the conflict. [86] A broadly secular society was imposed. [120] In 2004, however, Libya posted a $1 million bounty for journalist and governmental critic Ashur Shamis, under the allegation that he was linked to Al-Qaeda and terror suspect Abu Qatada. [68], In August, rebel forces launched an offensive on the government-held coast of Libya, backed by a wide-reaching NATO bombing campaign, taking back territory lost months before and ultimately capturing the capital city of Tripoli,[69] while Gaddafi evaded capture and loyalists engaged in a rearguard campaign. [120], The Green Book, which Gaddafi authored in the 1970s, was for years the principal text of political education. Overview Arab Jamahiriya, who had requested t. In 2010 and 2011, the Council held 24 meetings The Battle of Misrata was the fiercest battle in the civil war. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi sent troops and tanks to break up the rebellion. They live in terror. [318] The NTC captured the whole of Sirte on 20 October 2011, and reported that Gaddafi himself had been killed in the city. Watch Queue Queue [111][112] In contrast, a January 2011 report of the United Nations Human Rights Council, on which the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya sat prior to the uprising, released a month before protests began, praised certain aspects of the country's human rights record, including its treatment of women and improvements in other areas. The First Libyan Civil War was an armed conflict in 2011 in the North African country of Libya fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and foreign supported groups seeking to oust his government. Libya was officially run by a system of people's committees which served as local governments for the country's subdivisions, an indirectly elected General People's Congress as the legislature, and the General People's Committee, led by a Secretary-General, as the executive branch. [215] Dagher, Levinson, and Coker also wrote that some government officials in Tripoli claimed that Ghaddafi's fall did not cause those shipments to be suspended. With Valérie Donzelli, Jérémie Elkaïm, César Desseix, Gabriel Elkaïm. Available only in … [62], In July 2011, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi had an interview with Russia Today in which he denied the ICC's allegations that he or his father Muammar Gaddafi ordered the killing of civilian protesters. Mutassim Gaddafi † [32] and rebels began forming their own government. Anyone who throws his arms away and stays at home would be protected. [215], According to NTC-allied officials interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, a few key figures facilitated Qatar's weapons and aid to flow directly to the rebels. 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There were no combat casualties amongst the coalition forces, although one RAF airman was killed in an accident in Italy. "[76] He abolished the Libyan Constitution of 1951, considering it a neocolonial document. [274] On 20 April, Mohammed spoke in front of the European Parliament calling for more support for Libya. Libyan authorities also argued that no one in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya suffered from extreme poverty and hunger, and that the government guaranteed a minimum of food and essential needs to people with low incomes. Gaddafi said that he had not yet ordered the use of force, and threatened that "everything will burn" when he did. [71] The National Transitional Council "declared the liberation of Libya" and the official end of the war on 23 October 2011.[72]. [99] Likewise, supply lines were run by volunteers. [291], The Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Charlottetown was deployed to the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya on 2 March 2011, but did not take immediate action once arrived. [172] NATO's Supreme Allied Commander James G. Stavridis stated that intelligence reports suggested there were "flickers" of al-Qaeda activity among rebels, but that there was insufficient information to confirm a significant presence of terrorist groups. It took Predator drones about three weeks from the start of NATO’s war against Moammar Gadhafi to arrive in the skies over Libya. The conflict grew as thousands of people joined the protests. Consequently, these authors would consider that the international nature of the conflict remained unchanged until the end of hostilities. [196] In Tripoli, "death squads" of mercenaries and Revolutionary Committees members reportedly patrolled the streets and shot people who tried to take the dead off the streets or gather in groups. Eurasia Review", "Qatari military advisers on the ground, helping Libyan rebels get into shape", "Qatar Creates Anti-Syria Mercenary Force based in Turkey", "Tiny Kingdom's Huge Role in Libya Draws Concern", "How Qatar is funding the rise of Islamist extremists", "The Global Intelligence Files - [OS] LIBYA/QATAR/ECON - Libyan rebels reach out to Qatar for banking lifeline", "Special Commentary: Can African Mercenaries Save the Libyan Regime? Jalal al-Digheily [365] Despite this, offers continue for the creation of an aid corridor and aid agencies have accepted military logistical support in the past, for instance in the 2010 Pakistan floods response. [80], WikiLeaks' disclosure of confidential US diplomatic cables revealed US diplomats there speaking of Gaddafi's "mastery of tactical maneuvering". "[211], Military advisors from Qatar participated on the side of the rebels,[212] and were sometimes labelled as "mercenaries" by the media. [87] Child marriage was banned, and women enjoyed equality of equal pay for equal work, equal rights in divorce and access to higher education rose from 8% in 1966 to 43% in 1996, equal to that of men. Members of the Gaddafi family took flight to Algeria. Armed people are everywhere. Injured protesters were either summarily executed or had their oxygen masks, IV drips, and wires connected to the monitors removed. Fleeing the violence of Tripoli by road, as many as 4,000 refugees were crossing the Libya–Tunisia border daily during the first days of the uprising. According to Freedom House, however, these structures were often manipulated to ensure the dominance of Gaddafi, who reportedly continued to dominate all aspects of government. … In early May 2012, it passed its most sweeping measures to date, granting immunity to former rebel fighters for acts committed during the civil war and ordering that all detainees accused of fighting for Gaddafi should be tried or released by 12 July 2012. CONFIRMÉ: des missiles Anti-Air et sol-sol son tiré de Bab Al3azeziy… (cont) Nations-Unis Le Monde intervient en Libye, avec une vitesse inhabituelle: … "[218] The Qatari banks involved in talks with delegates from the National Transitional Council were Qatar Islamic Bank and Qatar National Bank. There were many small protests of about 300-500 people throughout January. [362] By 10 July, over 150,000 migrants were evacuated. Estimates have been widely varied. They have their own courts. [223] A recruitment center for Malian soldiers leaving to Libya was found in a Bamako hotel. While most agree that the intensity of the fighting and the organization of the insurgents quickly rose to the level required for the existence of a non-international armed conflict under Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions,[345][346] the exact date when these conditions were considered fulfilled ranges from late February[347] to 10 March 2011. They execute the people who are against them. [161] The Benghazi-based opposition government had called for a no-fly zone and airstrikes against the Jamahiriya. [357] In early March, the fighting across Libya meant that more than a million people fleeing or inside the country needed humanitarian aid. Despite one of the highest unemployment rates in the region, there was a consistent labor shortage with over a million migrant workers present on the market. [17], Reports by EU experts stated that Gaddafi's government hired between 300 and 500 European soldiers, including some from EU countries, at high wages. [243] Several residents reported that cellphone service was down, and even landline phone service was sporadic. [16] The Daily Telegraph studied the case of a 16-year-old captured Chadian child soldier in Bayda. "[182], Libya's ambassador in Malta addressed that "many people instigating unrest were arrested. Protesters torched a number of government buildings, including a police station. Despite previous reports suggesting that Muammar Gaddafi may be inside, no members of the Gaddafi family were found. Turkey sent a hospital ship to Misrata and a Turkish cargo ship brought 141 tons of humanitarian aid. A New York Times online article also comments that "it seems that plenty of the black Africans captured as mercenaries were never actually involved in the fight". Finally, on 24 August 2011, "Qatari special forces" were involved in the final assault on Bab al-Azizia compound. [365] Yet, there remains the concern that aid agencies' neutrality will be brought into question by accepting military support, putting aid staff at risk of being attacked and causing some parties to prevent the agencies accessing all the areas they need to. On 21 February, The New York Times reported that Gaddafi had tried to impose a blackout on information from Libya. [378] By 3 March, an estimated 200,000 refugees had fled Libya to either Tunisia or Egypt. [238][239] International journalists were banned by the Libyan authorities from reporting from Libya except by invitation of the Gaddafi government. He regained Ra's Lanuf and Brega. [351][352] Others maintain the opposite position, arguing that the available legal tests for "deinternationalisation" are unpersuasive and introduce vague and politicized criteria that cannot be satisfactorily considered in the heat of the battle. [365] Furthermore, the military may not always have the technical skills required to assess the need for aid and to ensure its effective distribution. The history of Libya under Muammar Gaddafi spanned 42 years from 1969 to 2011. The situation in Libya . [154] Music provided an important platform for communication among demonstrators. Journalists and human rights researchers made daily phone calls to hundreds of civilians in government held territory. [94] One paper speculated that such a situation created a broader contrast between good education, high demand for democracy, and the government's practices (perceived corruption, political system, supply of democracy). Newer states mostly enforced the no-fly zone and naval blockade or provided military logistical assistance. From 1969 until 1975 standards of living, life expectancy and literacy grew rapidly. [154], An anonymous hip hop artist called Ibn Thabit gave a voice to "disenfranchised Libyans looking for a non-violent way to express their political will". The International Crisis Group believes this to have been a political manoeuvre to divert attention away from himself and the Jamahiriya political system towards government officials currently in power. [142], In a statement released after clashes in Benghazi, a Libyan official warned that the Government "will not allow a group of people to move around at night and play with the security of Libya". ", "Mali fears as Tuaregs return from Libya", "В Ливии на стороне правительства воюет немало зимбабвийцев", "Летало ли белорусское оружие в Ливию и Кот-д'Ивуар? "[222], In Mali, members of the Tuareg tribe confirmed that a large number of men, about 5,000, from the tribe went to Libya in late February. The later British parliament's Foreign Affairs Select Committee inquiry concluded that by summer 2011 British policy had become one of regime change. ", "Kenya: 'Dogs of War' Fighting for Gaddafi", "afrol News – Libya, Chad row over "mercenaries, "Gaddafi Hiring Tuareg Warriors as Mercenaries in Libya: Reports", "Gaddafi Recruits 800 Tuareg Mercenaries", "The Irish teen who tracks and kills Gaddafi's snipers", "European mercenaries fighting for Gaddafi, expert says", "Text Message from a House in Libya: We Are Being Slaughtered Here", "Defying Gadhafi's Crackdown; Analysis with Dr. Drew Pinsky; Interview with Kevin Smith", "Gaddafi's Fleeing Mercenaries Describe the Collapse of the Regime", "Benghazi Doctor: Gadhafi Using Foreign Mercenaries to Quell Protests", "Africans say Libyan troops try to make them fight", "World Report 2012: Rights Trends in World Report 2012: Libya", "Comment j'ai mis 8 millions de libyens sur écoute", "Desperate Gaddafi Bombs Protesters, Blocks Internet", "Libya: Governments Should Demand End to Unlawful Killings", "The Editors: The Difficulty of Reporting from Inside Libya", "Libya Fights Protesters with Snipers, Grenades", "Libya Witness: 'It's Time for Revolt. [259][260][261] The ambassadors to Australia,[262] Bangladesh, Belgium,[260] France,[263] India,[259] Indonesia,[152] Malaysia, Nigeria, Portugal,[264] Sweden,[265] and the US[266] also renounced the Gaddafi government or formally resigned. [218], Qatar also provided training to fighters based both in eastern Libya and in the Nafusa Mountains, in the Tripoli area. Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, launched an offensive on the government-held coast of Libya, disclosure of confidential US diplomatic cables, Timeline of the Libyan Civil War before military intervention, National Conference for the Libyan Opposition, Muammar Gaddafi's response to the Libyan Civil War, International Federation for Human Rights, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Domestic responses to the Libyan civil war, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, fierce fighting continued around the city center, Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, Humanitarian situation during the Libyan Civil War, International reactions to the 2011 Libyan Civil War, US domestic reactions to the 2011 military intervention in Libya, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970, Foreign relations of the National Transitional Council, Free speech in the media during the Libyan civil war, List of modern conflicts in the Middle East, "Libya's Mustafa Abdul Jalil asks Nato to stay longer", "Qatar admits sending hundreds of troops to support Libya rebels", "На решающий штурм Бени-Валида посылают афганских наемников -", "Старший сын Каддафи утверждает, что в Триполи воюют подразделения НАТО и наемники", "Last Libyan Mission for Norway's F16S To Fly Tomorrow", "Jordanian Fighters Protecting Aid Mission", "UAE Updates Support to UN Resolution 1973", Молдова продала оружие ливийским террористам, Швейцарское оружие оказалось в руках ливийских повстанцев, "Libya's Tribal Politics Key to Gaddafi's Fate", "Is Libya's Gaddafi Turning to Foreign Mercenaries? [375], Fleeing the violence of Tripoli by road, as many as 4,000 refugees were crossing the Libya–Tunisia border daily during the first days of the uprising. "[374], In 2014 a former Gaddafi officer reported to the New York Times that the civil war was now an "ethnic struggle" between Arab tribes (like the Zintanis) against those of Turkish ancestry (like the Misuratis), as well as against the Berbers and Circassians. He later stated that international community needs "less talk and more action" to stop the violence. In addition, the report stated that there were information platforms such as newspapers and TV channels for people to express their opinions through. The resolution also referred the actions of the government to the International Criminal Court for investigation,[64] and an arrest warrant for Gaddafi was issued on 27 June. Journalists were not allowed to go anywhere, or talk to anyone, without authorization from Gaddafi's officials who always followed them. [335] By May 2014, conflicts between several factions in Libya had descended into a second civil war. By 3 March, the situation was described as a logistical nightmare, with the World Health Organization warning of the risk of epidemics. ", "The Arab Spring and the impact of social media", "Online Collective Action: Dynamics of the Crowd in Social Media". The demonstrations were protesting against the Government of Libya and its leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. Among those escaping the violence were native Libyans as well as foreign nationals including Egyptians, Tunisians and Turks. [381] Islamic leaders and clerics in Libya, notably the Network of Free Ulema – Libya urged all Muslims to rebel against Gaddafi. The orderly said that ambulances brought in three or four corpses at a time, and that after the ice lockers were filled to capacity, bodies were placed on stretchers or the floor, and that "it was in the same at the other hospitals". Muammar: You'd better give up "[216], Over ten ammunition shipments sponsored by Qatar were allegedly delivered to anti-Gaddhafi forces via Sudan. [100], Several foreign governments and analysts have stated that a large share of the business enterprise was controlled by Gaddafi, his family, and the government. The West Point analysis of these documents concluded that Libya provided "far more" foreign fighters in per capita terms than any other country. Citizens were said to be able to express opinions to the congresses on political, economic, social, and cultural issues. Nothing else. [306] On 9 June 2011, some negotiators from NTC arrived in Beijing to have negotiations with the Chinese government. [366] Other news sources including The Independent and CNN have reported on the targeting[clarification needed] of black people in rebel held areas. The dead and injured were piled into vehicles and taken away, possibly for cremation. [119] In 1979, some of the Revolutionary Committees had eventually evolved into self-appointed, sometimes zealous, enforcers of revolutionary orthodoxy. Libya had welfare systems allowing access to free education, free healthcare, and financial assistance for housing, and the Great Manmade River was built to allow free access to fresh water across large parts of the country. [213] However, Qatar's role was certainly much greater than that. Its most powerful units were four crack brigades of highly equipped and trained soldiers, composed of members of Gaddafi's tribe or members of other tribes loyal to him. From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, "Libya's Mustafa Abdul Jalil asks Nato to stay longer", "Qatar admits sending hundreds of troops to support Libya rebels", "Last Libyan Mission for Norway's F16S To Fly Tomorrow", "Jordanian Fighters Protecting Aid Mission", "UAE Updates Support to UN Resolution 1973", "Libya's Tribal Politics Key to Gaddafi's Fate", "Is Libya's Gaddafi Turning to Foreign Mercenaries? Those who surrender their weapons and would come without their arms, we would forgive them, and would have amnesty for those who put down their weapons. [391], 2011 armed conflict in the North African country of Libya, This article is about the civil war in 2011. [237] Gaddafi shut down all Internet communications in Libya, and arrested Libyans who had given phone interviews to the media. Nobel peace prize-winner and US President Obama says unleashing cruise missiles from submarines is … [173][174] Gaddafi's claims are supported by a 2008 secret cable from the US embassy in Tripoli to the US State Department, and an analysis by the Combating Terrorism Center at the US Military Academy at West Point of a set of documents called the Sinjar Records, purporting to show a statistical study of the al-Qaeda personnel records. In March, the Swedish government donated medical supplies and other humanitarian aid and the UN World Food Programme provided food. Local militias and Revolutionary Committees across the country were also kept well-armed. [204][309], Heads of the rebellion reported on 21 August that Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, was under arrest and that they had encircled the leader's compound, suggesting that the war had reached its endgame with an imminent rebel victory. They're killing people in cold blood". [188], In a 17 March 2011 interview, shortly before the military intervention, Muammar Gaddafi's son and heir apparent Saif al-Islam Gaddafi said that "armed militia" fighters in Benghazi were killing children and terrorizing the population. Al-quaeda started bombing. [150], Later in February, Gaddafi stated that the rebels were influenced by Al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden, and hallucinogenic drugs put in drinks and pills. [113], The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya's delegation to the United Nations issued a report about human rights in Libya. Omar El-Hariri[19] Their war is a tradition that passes from father to son and without a motive but the rivalry between the peasants. [280], By 23 February, Gaddafi was suffering from the resignations and defections of close allies,[281] from the loss of Benghazi,[282] the fall of Tobruk, Misrata, Bayda, Zawiya, Zuwara, Sabratha, Sorman,[281][283] and mounting international isolation and pressure. By 22 August, rebel fighters had gained entrance into Tripoli and occupied Green Square, which was promptly renamed Martyrs' Square in memory of those who had died fighting in the civil war. [58][59], An independent newspaper called Libya appeared in Benghazi, as well as rebel-controlled radio stations. Then, on March 6, launched a counter-offensive against Rebels. Amnesty International initially reported that writers, intellectuals and other prominent opposition sympathizers disappeared during the early days of the conflict in Gaddafi-controlled cities, and that they may have been subjected to torture or execution. [170], Gaddafi's administration repeatedly asserted that the rebels included al-Qaeda fighters. No banks. [93], An estimated 13% of Libyan citizens were unemployed. As a train roars through a wall [231], A witness stated that mercenaries were more willing to kill demonstrators than Libyan forces were, and earned a reputation as among the most brutal forces employed by the government. An estimated 2,100 people on both sides were missing. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi (POW) "[114], In 1988, Gaddafi criticized the "excesses" he blamed on the Revolutionary Councils, stating that "they deviated, harmed, tortured" and that "the true revolutionary does not practise repression. [66][67] Throughout the conflict, rebels rejected government offers of a ceasefire and efforts by the African Union to end the fighting because the plans set forth did not include the removal of Gaddafi. Despite the defeat of Gaddafi's loyalists, the capture of his last cities and Gaddafi's death, Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi's son and successor, remained hiding in the southern region of Libya until his capture in mid-November. [91][92], Libya's economy is structured primarily around the nation's energy sector, which generates about 95% of export earnings, 80% of GDP, and 99% of government income. The protests were triggered by the arrests of government critics, including a lawyer representing the families of an estimated 1,200 prisoners who had been killed at Tripoli’s Abu Salim prison in 1996. The plan included abolishing all ministries except those of defence, internal security, and foreign affairs, and departments implementing strategic projects. Article 8 of The Code on the Promotion of Freedom stated that "each citizen has the right to express his opinions and ideas openly in People's Congresses and in all mass media. Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr † [332], Also on 3 January, Libya's government named a retired general from Misrata, Yousel al-Manquosh, as head of the country's armed forces. [142][145] The army withdrew from the city of Bayda. [62], On 8 September, Naji Barakat, the Health Minister of the National Transitional Council, stated that about half of an estimated 30,000 dead were believed to have been pro-Gaddafi fighters. See, e.g., Kolb, Robert and Hyde, Richard. They took more than 100 children whose whereabouts we do not know — maybe to Europe, to be evangelised. The government used excessiv… [95] More than 16% of families had no members earning a stable income, and 43.3% had just one. ", "Arab Spring: timeline of the African and Middle East rebellions", "Libya Protests Build, Showing Revolts' Limits", "Twitter and Other Services Create Cracks in Gadhafi's Media Fortress", "Opening Closed Regimes: What Was the Role of Social Media During the Arab Spring? [115] With the establishment of the Jamahiriya ("state of the masses") system in 1977, he established the Revolutionary Committees as conduits for raising political consciousness, with the aim of direct political participation by all Libyans rather than a traditional party-based representative system. These elections were planned to coincide with the Jamahiriya's usual periodic elections for the Popular Committees, Basic People's Committees, Basic People's Congresses, and General People's Congresses, in 2010. [215][216] Jalal al-Dugheily, the NTC Defence Minister, was a Libyan army veteran who reportedly favoured Islamist militia leaders. "[200] Gaddafi's military commanders also reportedly executed soldiers who refused to fire on protesters. Voters Back Obama's Decision To Establish No-Fly Zone in Libya", "Qatar, several EU states up for Libya action: diplomat", "Paris Summit Talks To Launch Military Action in Libya", "Libya: President Obama Gives Gaddafi Ultimatum", "Libya: RAF Jets Join Attack on Air Defence Systems", "Deal Puts NATO at Head of Libyan Operation", "Libya No-Fly Zone Leadership Squabbles Continue Within Nato", "Phoenix:Russia government recognized The NTC of Libya as a legitimate dialogue partner", "Rebels dismiss election offer, NATO pounds Tripoli", "Gaddafi's son: Libya like McDonald's for NATO – fast war as fast food", "Gaddafi's rule crumbling as rebels enter heart of Tripoli", "Libyan rebel forces penetrate Qaddafi's compound", "Rebels Hunt Qaddafi; Journalists in Hotel Are Free", "Libya: Gaddafi son spotted in Bani Walid as heavy fighting continues", "Libyan rebels discover Gaddafi's chemical weapons", "Gaddafi determined to avoid Saddam Hussein's fate", "Ferocious fighting in Sirte as NTC tightens grip – Channel 4 News", "Gaddafi loyalists stranded as battle for Sirte rages", "Sina:Russia government recognized The NTC of Libya as the only Legal regime in Libya", "China denies report, says it did not sell weapons to Libya", "China Sought to Sell Arms to Qaddafi, Documents Suggest", "Libyans say China, Europe sent arms to Gaddafi", "spokeswoman of Chinese Foreign Ministry-Ma Chaoxu said China recognized The NTC of Libya as the only Legal regime in Libya", "Sohu:The Libyan NTC said it will be a very hardship environment to a China, Russia or India oil company to acquired a new exploration contract", "Fresh clashes in Libya's Bani Walid; U.N. says 7,000 held in militia prisons", "Abdul Jalil appoints head of Libyan armed forces, warns of civil war", "Deadly clash of militias in Libyan capital Tripoli", "Will new army chief end the bloodshed in Libya?