2011 Ras Ajdir clashes

2011 Ras Ajdir clashes
Part of Libyan Civil War
Date 13 August – 26 August 2011 Location Ras Ajdir, Libya Result Anti-Gaddafi Victory Loyalists repel multiple rebel assaults on the crossing until rebel forces finally capture it on 26 August
Belligerents
Anti-Gaddafi forces National Liberation Army Local Militia	Gaddafi Loyalists Libyan Army Paramilitary forces

The 2011 Ras Ajdir clashes were a series of skirmishes between rebel anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalist pro-Gaddafi forces for an important Libya–Tunisia border post in Libya's extreme northwest.^[1][2]

The post had been a key loyalist supply line to the capital, Tripoli,^[3] but ceased to be so after the rebels recaptured the town of Zawiya and the highway running through it.

Before the rebels captured the border post, there had been some concerns that Gaddafi might use it to flee Libya.^[4]

The battle

On the night of 13 August, rebel forces assaulted the crossing. The loyalists responded with tanks and other heavy weaponry, completely repelling the rebel assault.^[5][6]

On 21 August, rebel forces again reached the crossing, meeting stiff resistance from what were reported to be "non-uniformed Gaddafi loyalists". Rebels made gains, but were once again repulsed by artillery fire. However, rebels did not entirely abandon their efforts, and the crossing remained contested.^[7]

On 23 August, the Russian Channel One news agency reported that the crossing appeared to be under the control of pro-Gaddafi forces, who prohibited journalists from entering Libya.^[8]

On 26 August, witnesses reported that clashes were once again erupting between "large numbers" of rebels and loyalists for control of Ras Ajdir. The Tunisian army closed down the border in response, declaring it a "closed military zone".^[9] This time, at least 100 anti-Gaddafi forces succeeded in capturing the crossing and hoisted their flag at the border post.^[10] Tunisian authorities reopened the crossing on 28 August.^[11]

References

1. "Rebels tighten noose around West Libya, spokesperson says". NOW Lebanon. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
2. "Gaddafi Troops Assault Libyan Rebels at Tripoli Airport, Tunisian Border". Novinite. Sofia News Agency. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
3. Laub, Karin (16 August 2011). "Rebels move to isolate Gadhafi". Times Union. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
4. "50 charred skeletons found near Tripoli". Press TV. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
5. Russeau, Simba (13 August 2011). "War Strangles Livelihoods on the Border". Inter Press Service. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
6. Georgy, Michael (14 August 2011). "Libyan rebels fly flag over key town near Tripoli". Zawyia. Reuters. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
7. Byrne, Eileen (22 August 2011). "Rebels face clashes over key border post". Financial Times. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
8. Картина боевых действий в столице Ливии меняется до противоположности [Pattern of fighting in the capital of Libya is changing to the opposite]. Channel One news (in Russian). 23 August 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
9. "Friday, August 26, 2011 - 15:09 UTC+3 - Libya". Al Jazeera. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
10. "Friday, August 26, 2011 - 20:41 UTC - Libya". BBC World News. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
11. "Sunday, August 28, 2011 - 12:30". Al Jazeera. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.