2013 Benghazi conflict

The 2013 Benghazi conflict is a part of the aftermath of the Libyan civil war, that began after clashes erupted between protesters and militants from the Libya Shield brigade on 8 June 2013.[4][6][5]

2013 Benghazi conflict
Part of the Factional violence in Libya (2011–2014)

Satellite image of Benghazi
Date8 June 2013 – 29 July 2013
(1 month and 3 weeks)
Location
Benghazi, Libya
Belligerents

Libyan National Army

  • Protesters in Benghazi

Government-sanctioned militias

Islamists

Commanders and leaders
Ali Zeidan[1]
Fawzi Bukatef
Amrajaa al-Mesheiti
Salahadeen Bin Omran
Mohammed al-Garabi
Hakim Buhagir
Ajmi al-Atiri		 Unknown Unknown
Strength
5,000+ Hundreds[2] Unknown
Casualties and losses
12 soldiers killed[3][4]
1 navy colonel injured
Abdelsalam al-Mosmary[1]		 Property damage[1]
32 civilians killed
100+ injured[5]

Background

Since the Libyan Civil War that toppled the Muammar Gaddafi, there has been factional fighting occurring around Libya, in particular in Benghazi (where the first protests began in 2011). The city had been the scene of a number of attacks prior to these events, including some related to the ongoing factional fighting, as well as an attack against the U.S. consulate.

Timeline

June

On 8 June, at least 31 people were killed and 100 wounded in clashes in Benghazi between protesters and a militia operating with Defence Ministry approval. Most of the dead were civilians, with only 5 soldiers and one militia member reported killed.[7] and one was a militiaman.[8]

On 15 June, In the early hours of 15 June, hundreds of plain-clothed gunmen attacked several security installations across the city, at one point even forcing members of the First Infantry Brigade to abandon parts of their base as they stormed the main gate and torched parts of the building. At least six Libyan soldiers were killed during the assault – four by sniper fire and two from stabbing wounds. All of the dead were members of an elite Libyan Army unit called Saaqa. Eleven people were injured during the attacks, including several assailants. Clashes were reported near the road leading to the airport, forcing its closure. Government reinforcements were reportedly sent from the capital Tripoli.[3][9] The head of Benghazi's Counter Crime Agency has suggested that Qaddafi elements were in fact behind the attacks. Colonel Sulaiman Abu-Wishah told Benghazi Radio that two members of a Qaddaf Al-Dam sabotage group have been arrested. He claimed that the group was professional, its task to cause dissension and unrest, and that it was believed to be behind a number of other attacks in Benghazi. The members of the group were believed to be supporters of the former regime.[2]

On 19 June, a huge explosion totally flattened the police station in the Al-Hadayeq (the gardens) district of Benghazi early this morning, but miraculously there are no casualties being reported. The sound of the explosion at about 2.30 am was so loud that it was reportedly heard across most of the districts of Benghazi. It is thought that there were no casualties within the police station because the station had been closed down after an earlier attack in May. Samir Al-Lamamy, a witness and resident of the Al-Hadayeq district told Libya Herald that "the explosion led to the complete destruction of the police station leveling it to the ground".Al-Lamamy also speculated that "there might have been more than one bomb planted in the police station because the explosion was so strong that it totally destroyed it".[10]

July

On 2 July, A car bomb exploded at a checkpoint that was being manned by special military forces, injuring four soldiers and at least three civilians.[11]

On 26 July, Muslim Brotherhood critic Abdelsalam al-Mosmary was fatally shot after leaving a mosque following Friday prayers during Ramadan. In the aftermath protesters attacked Muslim Brotherhood property in both Benghazi and the capital Tripoli. Two days later, buildings used by the judiciary were bombed and was then followed by clashes between an unnamed militia and the military special forces. On 29 July, an unidentified militia also attacked the Tripoli headquarters of the al-Watan party, led by Abdelhakim Belhadj. The head of the party's political office, Jamal Ashour, said: "They smashed windows, shot at the door locks to open them and threw Molotov cocktails inside. The damage is serious. No one was injured." The same day, in Benghazi a car bomb exploded and injuring a navy colonel in what was termed an "attempted assassination;" Prime Minister Ali Zeidan also said that he would reshuffle his cabinet soon. "Today we chose a figure for the defence portfolio and tomorrow [Tuesday] or the day after we are going to present a list of ministers to the General [National] Congress."[1]

Aftermath

According to The Economist, following the June fighting "Libya's leaders are celebrating what they herald as the beginning of the end of militia rule and the restoration of a functioning state", while Libya's liberals "cheer the demise of what they have seen as the armed wing of their Islamist foes.".[12]

References
  1. Fresh wave of unrest flares in Libya – Africa. Al Jazeera.
  2. "Cabinet meets in Benghazi tomorrow". Libya Herald. 15 June 2013.
  3. "Attacks in Benghazi kill 6 Libyan soldiers". Yahoo! News via Reuters. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  4. Six Libyan soldiers killed in Benghazi violence. Reuters.
  5. "Libya army chief resigns after clash in Benghazi". The Daily Star (Lebanon). 9 June 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  6. "Medics: 28 dead as protesters attack ex-Libya rebel HQ". The Star (Malaysia). sott.net. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  7. Death toll from Libyan clashes rises to 31: doctor
  8. Medics: 28 dead as protesters attack ex-Libya rebel HQ Archived 11 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. The Star (Malaysia).
  9. Six Libyan soldiers killed in Benghazi violence. Reuters, 15 June 2013.
  10. Huge explosion flattens Benghazi police station – no casualties reported. Libya Herald.
  11. Car blast hits army checkpoint in Banghazi – Africa. Al Jazeera.
  12. Libya’s government and the militias: Is the tide turning?. The Economist. (15 June 2013).
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