Second Battle of Brega

The Second Battle of Brega was a battle during the Libyan Civil War. More than 10 days earlier, anti-Gaddafi forces beat back an attempt by loyalist forces to take the town on 2 March 2011, in the First Battle of Brega. Following that battle, rebel forces advanced along the Libyan Coastal Highway, taking the towns of Ra's Lanuf and Bin Jawad. However, after the Battle of Bin Jawad and the Battle of Ra's Lanuf, government troops retook all of the territory lost and were once again threatening Brega by mid-March.

Second Battle of Brega
Part of Libyan Civil War
Date13–15 March 2011
Location
Brega, Libya
Result

Pro-Gaddafi victory[1]

  • City retaken by loyalist forces
Belligerents

Anti-Gaddafi forces

 Armed forces of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Commanders and leaders
Bashir Abdel-Qader[2]
Khaled Kowati[3]		 Muammar Gaddafi
Strength
2,000 unknown
Casualties and losses
5-7 killed[4] 25 killed,[5] 71 captured[6] (unconfirmed rebel claims)

The battle

On 13 March, regime's forces, advancing from Ra's Lanuf, succeeded in retaking Brega, though that night reports indicated that fighting was still ongoing and rebels possibly still controlled portions of the town.[7][8] Reportedly, the rebels re-entered the town and heavy fighting ensued, after which government troops retreated to Brega's airport.[5] However, just an hour later, it was stated that loyalist forces had pushed back rebel troops from the town to aj-Ojela, 20 kilometers east of Brega.[9]

By the morning of 14 March, rebel forces were holding the residential district and loyalist forces were holding the oil facilities.[10]

On 15 March, rebel forces had abandoned Brega and were in full retreat towards Ajdabiya. Ajdabiya itself came under ground attack just a few hours later, marking the beginning of the Battle of Ajdabiya.

Aftermath
Main articles: Late March 2011 Libyan rebel offensive and Third Battle of Brega

On 26 March, after loyalists lost Ajdabiya and retreated further down the coast, rebel forces recaptured Brega.[11][12] A few days later, loyalist troops returned again, recapturing the city after a prolonged battle with rebel forces.[13]

References
  1. Abbas, Mohammed (15 March 2011). "Gaddafi forces seize key town, G8 stalls on no-fly". Reuters India. Ajdabiya. Reuters. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
  2. "Live Blog - Libya March 2 | Al Jazeera Blogs". Al Jazeera. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  3. Potter, Mitch (2 March 2011). "The Star in Libya: Rebels quash Gadhafi raid". The Toronto Star. Toronto. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  4. 5 on 14 March, 2 on 15 March , total of 7 reported killed
  5. "Libyan rebels regain control of Brega". RTÉ News. 13 March 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  6. "Rebels reclaim Brega from Gaddafi forces after fierce fighting". MaltaToday. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  7. "Libya Live Blog - March 13". Al Jazeera. March 13, 2011. Archived from the original on March 13, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  8. "Libya: Gaddafi troops 'force rebels out of Brega'". BBC News. March 13, 2011. Archived from the original on March 13, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  9. Lucas, Ryan; Hadid, Diaa (14 March 2011). "Gadhafi warplanes strike rebel-held Libya city". The Star Tribune. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 March 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  10. "Fearing attack, Libya rebels fortify eastern town". The Associated Press. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  11. Brown, Ben (26 March 2011). "Libya revolt: Rebels grab Ajdabiya from Gaddafi". BBC. Ajdabiya. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  12. "Libyan rebels facing tough fight for Sirte". Al Jazeera. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  13. Chivers, C.J. (1 April 2011). "Rebel Attack on Brega Ends in Stalemate". The New York Times.

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