Rebel forces advance towards Sirte during the Second Gulf of Sidra offensive

During the First Libyan Civil War, rebel anti-Gaddafi forces launched the Second Gulf of Sidra offensive in August and September 2011. Following the capture of the oil-port town of Brega, rebel forces planned to advance westwards toward Sirte, the hometown of Muammar Gaddafi. A day after 22 August, it was confirmed that rebels had captured the village of El Agheila and were moving toward Ra's Lanuf.

Ra's Lanuf fell to the opposition shortly after, and rebel forces reached the outskirts of Bin Jawad, a small town located 150 km east of Sirte. During this phase, known as the Second Battle of Bin Jawad, the rebels were unable to progress further due to heavy loyalist resistance. On 24 August, a heavy loyalist artillery bombardment forced the rebels to retreat 20 km from Bin Jawad to Sidra, resulting in the deaths of twenty rebel fighters.

Throughout the campaign, the rebels attempted to surround Sirte from multiple directions. While some forces engaged in negotiations with loyalist leaders, others advanced on the western and eastern fronts. Despite heavy casualties and stiff resistance from well-armed loyalists, the offensive continued until 20 October, when Sirte was finally captured and the Gaddafi regime collapsed.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons