Brak al-Shati Airbase raid

Brak al-Shati Airbase raid
Part of the Second Libyan Civil War
Date18 May 2017
Location
Brak al-Shati Airbase, Wadi al Shatii District
Result

Raid successful

  • BDB and Misratan militias raid base, destroying equipment and killing present soldiers
  • Ceasefire in Fezzan collapses
  • LNA launches counter-offensive
Belligerents

Libya Benghazi Defense Brigades

Libya Government of National Accord (denied involvement)[1]		 Libya House of Representatives
Commanders and leaders
Libya Ahmed Abduljalil Al-Hasnawi (attack planner)
Libya Jamal Al-Treiki (13th battalion commander)		 Libya Gen. Mohamed Ben Nayel †[2]
Libya Ali Ibrahim Ben Nayel †[2]
Units involved

13th Misrata Battalion

Libyan National Army

  • 10th Battalion[3]
  • 12th Battalion
Casualties and losses
35 141 killed (including civilians)

On 18 May 2017, an attack was launched by militiamen of the town of Misrata and Benghazi Defense Brigades against the Brak al-Shati Airbase controlled by LNA forces. LNA sources claimed 141 people, including 103 soldiers and numerous civilians were killed as a result of the raid.[4] The base was completely overrun and partially destroyed along with numerous aircraft at the base. Accusations of executions of surrendering forces led to international condemnation of GNA forces.

Shortly after, the LNA launched airstrikes on militant sites near the area in retaliation.[5][6][2][7]

  1. ^ "Presidency Council and Tripoli MoD deny involvement in Brak Al-Shatti massacre". Libya Herald. 19 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Massacre reported as Misratans and BDB take Brak Al-Shatti airbase". Libya Herald. 18 May 2017.
  3. ^ "141 died in Brak massacre says Mismari". Libya Herald. 19 May 2017.
  4. ^ "Death toll in south Libya airbase attack rises". Middle East Monitor. 20 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Clashes in southern Libya kill over 140". Xinhua. 20 May 2017. Archived from the original on May 19, 2017.
  6. ^ "Death toll from Libya airbase attack rises to 140, defense chief suspended". Archived from the original on 2017-05-20. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  7. ^ "Libya death toll 'rises to 140' at Brak El-Shati airbase". BBC News. 20 May 2017.