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BATTLE // November 28, 1911

Battle of Kuwayfia

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Overview

The Battle of Benghazi occurred during the Italo-Turkish War when the Kingdom of Italy attacked and took possession of the major cities of the Ottoman Empire's North African Tripolitania province, now Libya. Benghazi was one of the five strategic cities captured and held by the Italians during the entire length of the war.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The engagement at Kuwayfia took place within the broader Italian campaign to seize and consolidate control over Tripolitania, the Ottoman Empire's North African province that became Libya. Italian forces substantially outnumbered the Ottoman and allied defenders, and Ottoman casualties amounted to roughly forty percent of their engaged strength, indicating a tactically decisive engagement in Italy's favor. The battle was part of a wider Italian effort during the Italo-Turkish War to capture and hold major urban centers across the province, reducing the Ottoman capacity to contest the region. Control of these strategic cities formed the operational foundation of the Italian position throughout the war's duration.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • Kingdom of Italy15,000
    medium
  • Ottoman Empire2,900
    medium

Kingdom of Italy fielded a 5.2 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • Ottoman Empire1,150
    medium40% loss rate

Commanders (6)

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Related

6 sibling battles · 2 factions

Last verified June 2026
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