The final and most decisive battle of the First Libyan Civil War

Once a vibrant city, Sirte in 2011 became the final stronghold of Gaddafi loyalists in their hometown and designated capital. The National Transitional Council (NTC) hoped that the fall of Sirte would bring the war to an end, as it was the final and most decisive battle of the First Libyan Civil War. The battle and its aftermath marked the fall of the final stronghold of Gaddafi loyalists. Both Gaddafi and his son, Mutassim, were wounded and captured, then tortured and killed in custody less than an hour later. The month-long battle left Sirte almost completely in ruins, with many buildings damaged or totally destroyed.

NTC forces reached the Gharbiyat Bridge on the southwestern edge of the city on 15 September and encountered resistance from Gaddafi loyalists. The following day, 16 September, NTC forces launched a larger offensive into the city, and heavy fighting ensued on Sirte's main boulevard, 1 September St. On 17 September, anti-Gaddafi fighters renewed their offensive, and parts of the city remained under loyalist control while other parts were taken by opposition fighters. On 18 September, opposition forces made another incursion into Sirte, but by dusk, had once again retreated to the city's outskirts.

The support the opposition had expected from Sirte's residents had not materialized, and loyalist forces put up stronger resistance than anticipated. On 24 September, NTC forces swarmed into the city from the west, taking control of Zafran Square, about one mile from the city center. Opposition troops advanced to a major TV broadcasting station in the city's western part and encountered heavy resistance from loyalist troops on the main boulevard toward the city center.

On 25 September, after continued strong resistance from loyalist forces, the NTC fighters retreated from the western part of Sirte, returning to the outskirts. On 28 September, the NTC offensive continued, with western and eastern opposition forces attempting to link up south of the city. On the eastern side, however, there were almost no advances. NTC fighters were still pinned down for a third day at the roundabout, where they came under accurate loyalist rocket fire. Later in the evening, opposition forces on the eastern edge of the city were finally pushed three kilometers outside the city after a series of ferocious attacks by loyalist fighters.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons