Toppling Gaddafi's Dictatorship: Timeline of Libyan Rebels' Uprising

A file photo dated 10 July 2009 shows (L-R) Italian PM Berlusconi, French President Sarkozy, Russian President Medvedev, US President Obama, UN head Ban Ki-moon, African Union President and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as they pose for their G8 Summit gr

In early February 2011, Gaddafi's government faced major political protests following in the wake of demonstrations in Tunisia, Egypt, and other parts of the Arab world.

The protests quickly turned into a civil war. Gaddafi vowed to "die a martyr" if necessary in his fight against rebels and external forces, saying that those rebelling against his government deserved to die.

Fighting began mid-February between Libyan rebels and pro-government forces. Weeks later, the international community came to the aid of the rebels.

On March 19, 2011, NATO-led international forces started air and rocket strikes against the Gaddafi regime under a UN Security Council mandate.

Operation Odyssey Dawn was the US code name for the US part of the international military operation in Libya to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 during the initial period of 19–31 March 2011, which continued afterwards under NATO command as Operation Unified Protector.

The initial operation implemented a no-fly zone that was proposed during the 2011 Libyan civil war to prevent government forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi from carrying out air attacks on anti-Gaddafi forces.

The US initially had strategic command of the military intervention, coordinated missions between coalition members and set up Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn on the USS Mount Whitney for the tactical command and control in the area of operations but passed complete military command of the operation to NATO and took up a support role on 31 March 2011.

NATO's objectives did not include aiding the rebel forces' efforts to take control of territory currently held by Gaddafi.

The British name for its military support of Resolution 1973 is Operation ELLAMY, the Canadian participation is Operation Mobile, and the French participation is Op?ration Harmattan. NATO's military activity is Operation Unified Protector.

On June 27, the brutal actions of the Libyan regime were referred to the International Criminal Court and an arrest warrant for Gaddafi was issued for crimes against humanity.

Gaddafi repeatedly blamed the unrest on al-Qaeda and a "colonialist plot". He called those opposed to him "rats", and alleged that they had been influenced by "hallucinogenic drugs".

The war raged on for months, with slow gains for the opposition. Eventually, the rebels entered Tripoli on August 21. Gaddafi himself went into hiding.

In September and October, his last three bastions – Sabha, Bani Walid, and Sirte were overwhelmed one by one by the rebels.

 

Chronology of key events in the Libyan Civil War (February-October 2011):

February 15: Clashes between insurgents, police and Gaddafi supporters in the city of Bengazi. Bloody fighting ensues.

February 25: Bengazi became a rebel stronghold. The United States demand sanctions to force Gaddafi to back down.

February 26: The United Nations agrees on sanctions.

February 27: The rebels form a transitional government, but are internally divided. One group forms the Transitional National Council in Bengazi.

February 28: The European Union agrees to introduce sanctions on March 11. Germany freezes the accounts of Libyan leaders.

Early March: Gaddafi's troops deploy airstrikes and push into rebel-dominated areas in the east of the country. The rebel council calls for a no-fly zone. Heavy fighting takes place around key strategic cities.

March 11: Gaddafi's troops take control of Zawiya, followed by the oil port of Ras Lanuf and the harbour city of Brega.

March 17: The UN Security Council sanctions a no-fly zone without the deployment of ground troops. China, Germany and Russia abstain from the vote.

March 18: Gaddafi's regime announces a ceasefire, but the rebels say attacks are continuing.

March 19: Leading politicians from around the world meet in Paris to coordinate strategy. Shortly afterwards, the US, France and Britain launch their first military strike against Libya.

March 23: NATO begins to implement a weapons embargo.

End March/early April: The situation is unclear around the cities of Misurata, Sirte and Ras Lanuf, which are all heavily contested by rebels and government troops.

April: Fighting continues all month for control of the city of Misurata.

May 28: NATO relaunches attacks on Tripoli. Russia joins international demands for Gaddafi to step down.

June 7: NATO intensifies its daytime attacks on Tripoli.

July/August: Heavy fighting for control of several cities, as NATO airstrikes continue.

August 16: For the first time, Gaddafi's troops deploy a Scud missile. It misses its target, the city of Brega.

August 19: The rebels arrest one of Gaddafi's generals in Brega, and take control of Zawiya. An important close confidante of Gaddafi, Abdel-Salam Jalloud, defects to the rebel side.

August 20: The rebels take control of Brega and its key oil installations. A bloody fight begins for the capital, Tripoli, claiming many lives.

August 21: In a series of audio broadcasts, Gaddafi calls on his supporters to fight to the last drop of blood. After heavy fighting, the rebels reach the centre of Tripoli. Hundreds gather in the city's Green Square to celebrate the regime's downfall. Three of Gaddafi's sons are arrested. His regime collapses. Gaddafi himself goes into hiding, and the war continues with his supporters still holding Sirte, Bani Walid, and Sabha.

September 21: Libyan rebels capture Sabha, Gaddafi's stronghold in the south of Libya.

October 17: Libyan rebels overwhelm Gaddafi's loyalists at Bani Walid

October 20: The last bastion of Gaddafi is taken by rebel forces; dictator himself is wounded and captured.

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