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BATTLE // September 15, 2011

Battle of Sirte

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Overview

The Battle of Sirte was the final and most decisive battle of the First Libyan Civil War, beginning when the National Liberation Army attacked the last remnants of the Libyan army still loyal to Muammar Gaddafi in his hometown and designated capital of Sirte, on the Gulf of Sidra. As of September 2011, Sirte and Bani Walid were the last strongholds of Gaddafi loyalists and the National Transitional Council hoped that the fall of Sirte would bring the war to an end. The battle and its aftermath marked the fall of the final stronghold of Gaddafi loyalists. Both Gaddafi and his son, Mutassim, were wounded and captured, then tortured and killed in custody less than an hour later. The month-long battle left Sirte almost completely in ruins, with many buildings damaged or totally destroyed.

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

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • Libya16,000
    medium
  • Gaddafi loyalists1,000–5,000
    medium

Libya fielded a 5.3 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • Libya2,030
    medium13% loss rate

Commanders (11)

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Related

6 sibling battles · 2 factions

Last verified May 2026
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