Gulf of Sidra Offensive (2017)

Gulf of Sidra Offensive (2017)
Part of the Second Libyan Civil War

Map of the initial GNS offensive. GNS gains were later reversed.
Date3 March 2017 – 14 March 2017
Location
Coast of the Gulf of Sidra, Libya
Result

Libyan National Army victory[3]

  • Benghazi Defense Brigades capture a strip of coastal territory between Nofaliya and Ras Lanuf, and transfer it to Government of National Accord.
  • On 14 March 2017, LNA recaptures all lost positions in a counter-offensive.
Belligerents

Libya General National Congress

Supported by:
Misratan militias

Libya Government of National Accord (After 7 March)

Libya House of Representatives

Supported by:

 United Arab Emirates (allegedly)
Commanders and leaders

Libya Brig. Mustafa al-Shirksi

Libya Idris Bukhamada (After 7 March)		 Libya Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar

The Gulf of Sidra Offensive was an offensive of the Second Libyan Civil War. It was launched by the Benghazi Defense Brigades on 3 March 2017, and initially resulted in them taking control of a strip of coastal territory between the towns of Nofaliya and Ras Lanuf, which was then handed over to the Government of National Accord. A number of significant oil ports are located in this area, sometimes referred to as the Oil Crescent. The loss of the Oil Crescent was perceived by analysts as a major blow to the power of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.[4]

On 14 March, Haftar's Libyian National Army (LNA) recaptured all positions lost to the Benghazi Defence and Misratan Brigades in a counter-offensive after several days of aerial bombardment.[5][6][7]

  1. ^ "المسماري: قوات المعارضة التشادية شاركت في الهجوم على الهلال النفطي". Archived from the original on 11 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Al-Ghasri says a force is in the making to protect oil crescent region, slams Haftar as Al-Qaeda affiliate - The Libya Observer". Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  3. ^ "After days of armed fighting, Libyan key oil ports resume exportation - Libyan Express - Breaking News and Latest Updates from Libya". 20 March 2017. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Libya: Will losing oil ports end Haftar's power?". Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  5. ^ "East Libyan forces say they have retaken oil ports". 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  6. ^ "Khalifa Haftar forces capture key Libya oil terminals". Archived from the original on 31 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Haftar wins was invoked but never defined (see the help page).