2011 Libyan rebel coastal offensive

November 2020 2011 Libyan rebel coastal offensive the First Libyan Civil War 13 – 28 August 2011 Western Libyan coast, Libya Rebel victory Rebels capture Sorman, Sabratha, Ajaylat, Zuwara, 'Aziziya, Tripoli, Ras Ajdir and Zawiya. Libya 1951 Anti-Gaddafi forces National Liberation Army Free Libyan Air Force NATO NATO(per UNSC 1973) Libya 1977 Gaddafi Loyalists Libyan Army Libyan Navy Paramilitary forces Foreign mercenaries Libya 1951 Ismail al-Sallabi(Zawiya area)http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/233adde8-c66a-11e0-bb50-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1V1UzvFYg Financial Times 14 August 2011 14 August 2011 Libya Rebels Claim To Hold Zawiya as Regime Fights On Kerr, SimeonLibya 1951 Omar Obeid (Sabratha area) Associated Press Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/world/libyas-interior-minister-appears-to-have-defected/ Libya's Interior Minister Appears To Have Defected 15 August 2011 21 August 2011Libya 1951 Senussi Mohamed (Sabratha area) Libya 1977 Mahdi al-Arabihttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14606749 As It Happened: Libya Conflict BBC News 27 August 2011(Zawiya area) 95 killed109 wounded10 killed, 20 wounded (Zawiya; 13 August), 10 killed, 34 wounded (Sorman; 14 August), 70 killed, 55 wounded (everywhere; 15–18 August),January 2022 medicmedic 2 killed (Zawiya; 19 August),http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Libya_rebels_tighten_grip_west_of_Tripoli.html?cid=30808362 Gaddafi sons broadcast confusion as battle looms - swissinfo 2011-08-20 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110906142728/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Libya_rebels_tighten_grip_west_of_Tripoli.html?cid=30808362 6 September 2011 3 killed (Joudaim; 21 August), total of 95 killed, 109 wounded1 tank destroyedhttp://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=&section=international&xfile=data/international/2011/August/international_August631.xml Gaddafi Forces, Rebels Fight Over Zawiyah Khaleej Times 13 August 2011 13 August 2011 2 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121002063515/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=&section=international&xfile=data%2Finternational%2F2011%2FAugust%2Finternational_August631.xml dead 95 killed30 killed (13 August),August 2024 medicmedic 2 killed (16 August), 4 killed (17 August),http://www.sundaytimes.lk/world-news/9904-libya-rebels-fight-for-refineries-us-sends-drones.html Times Online - Breaking News, Sunday Times, Entertainment, Sports, Videos 2011-08-19 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121016042907/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/world-news/9904-libya-rebels-fight-for-refineries-us-sends-drones.html 16 October 2012 53 killed (18 August), 4 killed (19 August), 2 killed (20 August), https://web.archive.org/web/20121019110119/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2011%2F8%2F21%2Fworldupdates%2F2011-08-20T220643Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-588803-4&sec=Worldupdates 19 October 2012 total of 95 reported killed150 woundedhttp://www.nbcnews.com/id/44164314 Associated Press NBC News Gadhafi's Troops Use Hospital as Base, Doctors Say Laub, Karin 16 August 2011 16 August 2011August 2024 medicmedic15 capturedLibyan Rebels Push To Isolate Tripoli http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/08/2011815152319924422.html Al Jazeera 15 August 2011 15 August 2011NATO claim:11 tanks destroyed1 armoured vehicle destroyed5 technicals destroyed1 military boat destroyed 26 civilians killed8 killed (14 August),June 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes 11 killed (15 August) 2 killed (16 August), 3 killed (20 August), 1 killed (22 August),September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes 1 killed (24 August), total of 26 civilians reported killed The 2011 Libyan rebel coastal offensive was a major rebel offensive of the Libyan Civil War. It was mounted by anti-Gaddafi forces with the intention of cutting off the supply route from Tunisia for pro-Gaddafi loyalist forces in Tripoli. Background 2011 Nafusa Mountain Campaign The offensive was launched by opposition forces based in Nafusa Mountains who had managed to make a breakthrough in loyalist lines around the mountains just a few days earlier. The loyalists and rebels had been fighting for the mountain chain for over five months, often in back-and-forth battles. However, due to an intense NATO bombing campaign of loyalist forces, pro-Gaddafi troops had to pull back from the mountains. This gave the rebels a chance to go on the offensive toward the coast west of Tripoli. Offensive Second Battle of Zawiya Battle of Tripoli (2011) thumb|right|300px|alt=|#ff6f0f Held by anti-Gaddafi protesters by 1 March. (Checkered: Maximum Loyalists gains, April–May.) #ff944b Rebel advances by 1 August. #ffbd91 Rebel gains after the western coastal offensive in August. #aade87 Last loyalist pockets. The offensive started on 13 August 2011 with rebels advancing toward the oil refinery town of Zawiya supported by NATO air-strikes. The town revolted against Gaddafi governmental control in late February but the revolt was crushed by pro-Gaddafi forces in early March. There was a rebel raid against the city in June that was defeated by government troops. Holding Zawiya was a priority for the pro-Gaddafi forces, as the city lies on their coastal supply route and is a vital control city on the route from Tripoli to Tunisia.https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-08-14-libya-rebels-clashes-zawiya_n.htm Heavy Clashes as Libyan Rebels Enter Zawiya Associated Press USA Today 14 August 2011 Bir Shaeb 14 January 2012 It is home to an important oil refinery, the only one in loyalist hands prior to the battle.Ghaith Abdul-Ahad https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/10/fuel-smugglers-border-libya-tunisia Fuel Smuggler's Paradise: A Day on the Border Between Libya and Tunisia The Guardian 10 August 2011 21 August 2011 London During the attack, the rebels first advanced to a bridge on the southwestern outskirts before being hit by loyalist artillery fire. McElroy Damien https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8700198/Libyan-rebels-battle-for-Zawiyah.html Libyan Rebels Battle for Zawiyah The Daily Telegraph 13 August 2011 21 August 2011 London One group of rebels fought through loyalist defensive lines in the western sector of the town, overrunning it,http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/18827/World/Region/Many-casualties-as-Libyan-rebels-batter-Zawiyah.aspx 'Many Casualties' as Libyan Rebels Batter Zawiyah Agence France-Presse Al-Ahram 14 August 2011 21 August 2011 and pushed into the city center.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-13-2011-2118 Libya Live Blog: Saturday, August 13, 2011 – 21:18 Al Jazeera 13 August 2011 21 August 2011 At the same time rebels entering the city were cheered by some residents, who came out of their homes to greet them shouting "God is great". Some joined the rebels as fighters. After the rebels reached the main square loyalist forces from the eastern part of Zawiya counter-attacked with a barrage of heavy weapons. By the evening, the Libyan government stated that a rebel force entered the city on a "suicide mission" but failed to take control of the town and that Zawiya was "totally" under government control. A rebel commander stated that opposition forces were almost 1 km off south of the city center on the western side of the main road, while loyalist troops were on the east side.http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/08/13/162174.html Al Arabiya 13 August 2011 13 August 2011 Tripoli Quick To Deny Rebel Capture of Strategic Port Town as Fighters Claim Victory https://web.archive.org/web/20110814073029/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/08/13/162174.html 14 August 2011 deadhttps://vancouversun.com/news/Gaddafi+forces+rebels+fight+over+Zawiyah/5252414/story.html The Vancouver Sun Gaddafi Forces, Rebels Fight over Zawiyah 13 August 2011 13 August 2011 13 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191213002307/https://vancouversun.com/news/Gaddafi+forces+rebels+fight+over+Zawiyah/5252414/story.html dead During the night, reports surfaced of a rebel attempt at taking the border crossing of Ras Ajdir. Tunisian border guards stated that the loyalists brought up heavy weapons, including tanks, to defend it. By the next day it was reported that the rebel attack had been unsuccessful. Georgy, Michael https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-idUSTRE77A2Y920110814 Libyan Rebels Fly Flag Over Key Town Near Tripoli Reuters 14 August 2011 21 August 2011 On 14 August, fighting was still ongoing and the rebels had not taken the center of Zawiya.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-1713 Libya Live Blog: Sunday, August 14, 2011 – 17:13 Al Jazeera 14 August 2011 21 August 2011 9 July 2012 https://archive.today/20120709082638/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-1713 dead A rebel commander stated that they controlled the western and southern gate of Zawiya, after managing to push 3 km off into the city,http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/Many+casualties+as+Libyan+rebels+batter+Zawiyah/-/1066/1218568/-/e11pqhz/-/ 'Many Casualties' as Libyan Rebels Batter Zawiyah Sunday Nation Agence France-Presse 14 August 2011 21 August 2011 while government forces were controlling the east and the center of the town. Later during the day, Al Jazeera English stated that the rebels had taken control of a key highway running through Zawiya, the one that links Tunisia to Tripoli."Libya Live Blog: Sunday, August 14, 2011 – 16:15" https://archive.today/20120707040525/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-1615 7 July 2012 . Al Jazeera. The same day rebels claimed that they captured the neighboring city of Sorman, just west of Zawiya, and that they suffered ten dead and 34 wounded in fighting there.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-rebels-surman-idUSTRE77D23P20110814 Rebels Say Capture Surman Just West of Tripoli Reuters 14 August 2011 21 August 2011 Clashes were also claimed to be occurring in nearby Sabratha.Georgy, Michael https://vancouversun.com/news/Libyan+rebels+flag+over+town+near+Tripoli/5252925/story.html Libyan Rebels Fly Flag Over Key Town Near Tripoli Reuters Vancouver Sun 14 August 2011 21 August 2011 13 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191213002311/https://vancouversun.com/news/Libyan+rebels+flag+over+town+near+Tripoli/5252925/story.html dead Later, a rebel spokesman also announced the capture of Ajaylat.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-2236 Libya Live Blog: Sunday, August 14, 2011 – 22:36 Al Jazeera 14 August 2011 21 August 2011 25 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110825055257/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-2236 dead On 15 August, loyalist forces pushed back the rebels from the city center of Zawiya in a concentrated effort to block the rebel advance.https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioLt0EIOGeerks03Sg9uvRPdIG2A?docId=8131d13602f14896a11db7d211b04ce3 Laub, Karin Gadhafi Force Try To Block Libyan Rebel Advance Associated Press Google News 21 August 2011June 2024 medicmedic However, by the evening, rebels claimed to hold 80 percent of Zawiya. They also arrested 15 people they said were African mercenaries and Libyan Army soldiers, though at least one alleged mercenary claimed he was an innocent Nigerian guest worker. Some fighters said they expected it would take some time to clear all the snipers from tall buildings inside the city. Some shelling continued, though rebel soldiers said fighting was getting closer to the loyalist-held oil facility.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-zawiyah-scene-idUSTRE77E3R020110815 15 August 2011 15 August 2011 Libya's Zawiyah on Edge After Rebel Capture Georgy, Michael Reuters Al Jazeera reported the fall of Sabratha to rebel forces, with the exception of an army base west of the city, which had been besieged.Sanchez Raf https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/8701592/Egypt-Libya-and-Syria-live.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110815121308/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/8701592/Egypt-Libya-and-Syria-live.html dead 15 August 2011 Arab Spring: Live The Daily Telegraph 16 August 2011 21 August 2011 Londonhttp://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/15/libya.war/ https://web.archive.org/web/20121025113237/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/15/libya.war/ dead 25 October 2012 CNN 15 August 2011 15 August 2011 High-Level Tripoli Government Official Leaves Libya Karadsheh, Jomana As of 15 August, rebel forces stated that they were negotiating surrender terms with the remaining loyalist forces in Sabratha.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/15/muammar-gaddafi-losing-grasp-libya Libya Shows Signs of Slipping from Muammar Gaddafi's Grasp The Guardian 16 August 2011 21 August 2011 London Julian Borger Chris Stephen Richard Norton-Taylor On 16 August, government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim claimed that loyalist forces had retaken Sorman, confirming accounts that Sorman had earlier been captured by rebel forces. He also claimed that Gaddafi governmental forces were in full control of Zawiya, and that "they will soon retake Gharyan".http://news.iafrica.com/worldnews/747037.html Victory Nigh for Rebels? I Africa 21 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120323004735/http://news.iafrica.com/worldnews/747037.html 23 March 2012 dead NATO Colonel Roland Lavoie said on 16 August that "there is still some fighting reported" in the suburbs of Sorman, though he did not say who NATO believed was in control of the city proper.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-08/16/c_131053531.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20141202173059/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-08/16/c_131053531.htm dead 2 December 2014 Xinhua News Agency 16 August 2011 16 August 2011 NATO Says Anti-Gaddafi Forces Make 'Significant Advances' An eyewitness report by journalist Ann Marlowe confirmed that Sorman had been taken several days earlier, and confirmed that Sabratha had been taken by rebels on 15 August, after loyalist forces fled.http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/fight-sabratha_590281.html?nopager=1 https://archive.today/20130105164943/http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/fight-sabratha_590281.html?nopager=1 dead 5 January 2013 The Fight for Sabratha The Weekly Standard 16 August 2011 21 August 2011 However, the very next day, heavy fighting was reported to be still ongoing in Sabratha."Refugees Flee Libya Oil City as Qaddafi Forces Dig In". The New York Times. On 18 August, rebels declared that after a four-day battle they had secured the city of Sabratha and defeated loyalist forces and were in control of 90 percent of the city, including the centre, after having overrun it with at least 200 fighters. The loyalists were defeated after NATO bombed a loyalist military base in the city allowing the rebels to storm the base and seize weapons left behind by Gaddafi's men. This victory was confirmed by a team of Reuters reporters, who witnessed the rebel fighters in control of the city center. https://web.archive.org/web/20110824231605/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-18-2011-2001 24 August 2011. Al Jazeera. A rebel commander claimed that Zuwara was in rebel hands on 18 August, according to the AP news agency.https://www.foxnews.com/world/explosions-shake-tripoli-as-libyan-rebels-advance/ Fox News Associated Press 18 August 2011 18 August 2011 Explosions Shake Tripoli as Libyan Rebels Advance On 19 August, a Guardian reporter confirmed the end of fighting in Sabratha; according to him, the fighting there lasted three days, ending on 16 August. He also confirmed that the ancient Roman amphitheater ruins survived the fighting.Siddique, Haroon https://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/19/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest#block-9%20The%20Guardian%20Live%20Blog#block-9 Syria, Libya and Middle East Unrest The Guardian 19 August 2011 21 August 2011 London Rebel fighters also told The Guardian that they are planning to move towards Zuwara.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/19/tripoli-facing-advance-libya-rebels Tripoli Facing Three-Sided Advance by Libyan Rebels The Guardian 19 August 2011 21 August 2011 London Chris Stephen Peter Beaumont Luke Harding On 22 August, rebels claimed the capture of Zuwara and the Ras Ajdir border crossing.February 2026 medicmedic. San Francisco Chronicle. On 23 August, a Tagesschau correspondent confirmed that city of 'Aziziya was under rebel control."Al Asisija nahe Tripolis zur aktuellen Lage" https://web.archive.org/web/20120329041735/http://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/video/ondemand100_id-video966454.html 29 March 2012 (in German). Tagesschau. On 24 August, loyalist forces attempted to retake the rebel-held city of Ajaylat, mounting an attack with tanks and missiles. https://web.archive.org/web/20110824213242/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-24-2011-0350-0 24 August 2011. Al Jazeera. They also shelled the rebel-held city of Zuwara.https://archive.today/20120707015538/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-24-2011-0026. Al Jazeera. On 27 August, a ship carrying ammunition for the Libyan rebels fighting for control of the coastal road, west of Tripoli to the Tunisian border, blew up on Saturday at the port of Zuwara.http://archive.libyafeb17.com/2011/08/august-27th-updates/ August 27th Updates 28 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130731074907/http://archive.libyafeb17.com/2011/08/august-27th-updates/ 31 July 2013 usurped On 28 August, an Al Jazeera English correspondent reported that a region near Ajaylat was controlled by a "small pocket" of pro-Gaddafi forces, but that supply lines safely bypassed the town.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-28-2011-1624 https://archive.today/20120715182007/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-28-2011-1624 dead 15 July 2012 Sunday, 28 August 2011 – 14:24 GMT+3 – Libya Al Jazeera Blogs Rebel advance on Tripoli Battle of Tripoli (2011) On 20 August rebels stated that the end of Gaddafi was "very near".http://english.ahram.org.eg/~/NewsContent/2/8/19320/World/Region/End-near-for-Gaddafi-rebels-chief-says-.aspx End Near for Gaddafi: Rebels Chief Says Al-Ahram 21 August 2011 The same day rebels within Tripoli started the battle of Tripoli; the main rebel forces were still 27 km off outside of Tripoli. On 21 August, rebel forces pushed towards Tripoli from two fronts in order to help a local uprising in the city itself. From Zawiya they advanced to village Al Maya, 17 km off east from Zawiya while other units were preparing to attack 'Aziziya, the last major city between rebel-controlled Gharyan and Tripoli.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1150 Al Jazeera Live Blog Al Jazeera 21 August 2011 21 August 2011 24 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110824230957/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1150 dead https://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0NU20110821?sp=true https://web.archive.org/web/20120926174642/http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0NU20110821?sp=true dead 26 September 2012 Wrapup 5-Gunshots Heard in Tripoli After Daybreak Reuters 21 August 2011 21 August 2011 Reuters Africa After taking the village of Joudaim, east of Zawiya, and advancing to the village of Al Maya, the rebels were stopped by loyalist forces who pounded them with artillery, rocket and anti-aircraft fire.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14606749 Libya Conflict BBC News 21 August 2011http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/08/21/libyan-rebels-only-miles-from-tripoli-as-mad-dog-gaddafi-is-cornered-86908-23361562/ Libyan Rebels Only Miles from Tripoli as Mad Dog Gaddafi Is Cornered Daily Record 21 August 2011 The rebels captured a military barracks, which housed the elite Khamis Brigade, 27 km off west of Tripoli, as well as weapons and ammo left behind by retreating loyalists.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14606749 Rebels Capture Military Barracks BBC News 21 August 2011 Lopez, Dario http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_LIBYA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-08-21-11-28-56 News from The Associated Press Associated Press 21 August 2011 21 August 2011 By the night of 21 August, rebels had pushed into Tripoli, meeting little resistance from government forces. Martyrs' Square was taken that night, while cheering residents filled the streets.Malone, Andrew; Slack, Chris (22 August 2011). "Libyan rebels reach Tripoli's Green Square". CBC News. Retrieved 23 August 2011. NATO strikes According to NATO's daily "Operational Media Updates", the NATO strikes, during the offensive, hit: 13 August-to-23 August NATO StrikesDateAnti Aircraft GunsTanksVehiclesOther13 August. NATO.01 Tank0014 August. NATO.1 Anti Aircraft Gun00015 August. NATO.03 Tanks1 Armored vehicle, 1 Technical017 August. NATO.002 Technicals1 Military boat18 August. NATO.05 Tanks2 Technicals1 Command and Control Node19 August. NATO.0001 Artillery Piece23 August. NATO.02 Tanks3 Armed Vehicles, 2 Military Trucks1 Military FacilityTotal111114 Influences on other fronts On 15 August, following rebel successes in the battlefield, the Libyan Interior minister Nassr al-Mabrouk Abdullah defected to Egypt with nine members of his family, although airport officials said he was just visiting as a tourist. The Gaddafi government claimed to have no knowledge of his leaving the country. http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-15-2011-1046 Libya Live Blog: Monday, August 15, 2011 – 10:46 Al Jazeera 15 August 2011 21 August 2011 17 July 2012 https://archive.today/20120717124827/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-15-2011-1046 dead https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/world/africa/16libya.html The New York Times A Top Libyan Official Appears to Defect, as Rebels Defend Recent Gains David D. Kirkpatrick Kareem Fahim 15 August 2011 14 January 2012 Cairo On 15 August, apparently in response to rebel battlefield successes, a Scud missile was fired from the Gaddafi stronghold of Sirte at rebel-controlled territory. It is believed that the missile was intended to hit rebel troop formations around Brega; instead, it overshot the target by 80.5 km and landed harmlessly in the desert. McElroy Damien https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8703041/Col-Gaddafi-fires-scud-missile-at-rebel-territory-as-Nato-braces-itself-for-final-violent-showdown.html Col Gaddafi Fires Scud Missile at Rebel Territory as Nato Braces Itself for Final Violent Showdown The Daily Telegraph 15 August 2011 21 August 2011 Londonhttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1147240/1/.html Gaddafi Forces Fire Scud Missile, Says US Official Channel NewsAsia 16 August 2011 21 August 2011 23 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121023093050/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1147240/1/.html dead On 18 August, US officials reported that Muammar Gaddafi was making preparations to flee to exile in Tunisia with his family.https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44192334 NBC: Gadhafi Making Plans for Libya Departure NBC News 19 August 2011 21 August 2011http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/tripoli-rocked-by-explosions-20110819-1j0m6.html Besieged Gaddafi Seeking Refuge The Sydney Morning Herald 19 August 2011 21 August 2011 Agence France-Presse On 19 August, rebels stated that Abdel Sallam Jalloud, who was once Gaddafi's closest adviser, had defected to them, displaying pictures of him in the rebel-held city of Zintan as proof.Laub Karin Ben Hubbard http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2011/08/20/news/doc4e501383b8fcc379513980.txt Libya Rebels Take Seaside City Close to Tripoli Daily Freeman Associated Press 20 August 2011 14 January 2012 ZawiyaAugust 2026 InternetArchiveBot The next day, Tunisian officials reported that Jalloud had actually fled to Italy, via Tunisia.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-20-2011-1707 Libya Live Blog: August 20, 2011 – 17:07 Al Jazeera 20 August 2011 21 August 2011 On 20 August, Tunisian sources stated that Libyan oil minister Omran Abukraa had defected to Tunisia.http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-20-2011-1601 Libya Live Bog: August 20, 2011 – 16:01 Al Jazeera 20 August 2011 21 August 2011 References 30em Category:Battles of the Libyan civil war (2011) Category:August 2011 in Libya Category:Battles of Tripoli, Libya