Brega: Difference between revisions

During the [[2011 Libyan civil war]], the town quickly fell under control of the [[Libyan opposition]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/25/n-africa-mideast-unrest-17-dead-in-western-libyan-city-doctors-say/?hpt=T1 |title=Hundreds flee Libya as Obama orders sanctions |work= This Just In|publisher= ''Cable News Network''|date= February 25, 2011 |quote=Protesters took control of the eastern Libyan city of Brega and its oil terminal Friday, according to an official who works at the communications department for the Port of Brega. |accessdate=March 2, 2011}}</ref> Government forces attempted to capture the town on 2 March but were repelled;<ref name=BBC/><ref>{{cite news |url= http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/03/02/uk-libya-east-retake-idUKTRE7211X820110302 |title=Rebels retake Libya town, may seek foreign role |publisher= Reuters |first=Tom |last=Pfeiffer |work=Reuters UK |date= March 2, 2011|accessdate=March 2, 2011}}</ref> their attack on 13 March was successful, though rebels later recaptured it on 26 March.<ref>http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-26</ref><ref>p://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Video-Libyan-Rebels-Retake-Brega-And-Ajdabiyah-After-Gaddafi-Forces-Flee-Amid-Coalition-Airstrikes/Article/201103415960556?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_3&lid=ARTICLE_15960556_Video%3A_Libyan_Rebels_Retake_Brega_And_Ajdabiyah_After_Gaddafi_Forces_Flee_Amid_Coalition_Airstrikes_</ref> In April the rebels were again driven out of the Brega area,<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/news/story/2011/04/04/libya-us-nato-gadhafi.html Report from Canadian CBC of oppositions forces regaining New Brega in the beginning of April, specifying the division between the different parts of Brega.</ref> and a several months long stalemate formed. On 11 August 2011, the rebels claimed to had retaken the eastern part of Brega.<ref>[http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A14I20110811 Libyan rebels capture eastern part of Brega -spokesman]</ref>

During the [[2011 Libyan civil war]], Brega found itself in the middle of numerous clashes between rebel and loyalist forces, as the front line shifted rapidly in each direction. By the middle of April, the town had changed hands six times in less than two months.

Early on in the uprising, anti-government forces gained control of the town and oil production facilities. Government forces attempted to regain control of the area on 2 March, but were [[First Battle of Brega|repulsed by the rebels]].<ref name=BBC>{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12626496 |title= Rebels fight off Gaddafi attack |work=BBC News|publisher= BBC |date= March 2, 2011 |accessdate=March 2, 2011}}</ref> On 15 March, government forces [[Second Battle of Brega|retook Brega]], during their initial counter-offensive as the disorganised rebel forces were crushed by the Loyalist's heavy weapons and air power.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12726032 |title=Libya: Gaddafi troops 'force rebels out of Brega' |date=March 13, 2011| work=BBC News}}</ref> On 26 March, after the [[UN]] imposed a no-fly zone which removed the threat of Loyalist air attacks, rebels advanced rapidly, [[Late March 2011 Libyan rebel offensive|taking Brega back]] from Gaddafi's forces<ref>[http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-26]</ref> but were quickly forced to retreat after a Loyalist counter-offensive. By 31 March, the frontline had stabilised between Brega and [[Ajdabiya]], with rebel forces launching [[Third Battle of Brega|numerous attacks on the town]], which all resulted in hasty retreats.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418 | work=BBC News | title=Live: Battle over US budget | date=March 31, 2011}}</ref> Eventually after pushing the Loyalists back from Ajdabiya, the rebels once again launched an [[Fourth Battle of Brega|assault]] on the strategic oil town.

On 16 July 2011, it was reported that the rebels appeared to have taken Brega.<ref>http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/9695160-brega-is-liberated</ref> However, Reuters later reported ten rebels were killed and 172 wounded and confirmed that the battle was still ongoing.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/07/16/uk-libya-idUKTRE76C1H420110716 | work=Reuters | title=Heavy casualties reported in Libya fighting | date=16 July 2011}}</ref> Rebel radio reports said that after three days of heavy fighting, aided by substantial NATO bombing, rebel units had bypassed the town – cutting off the garrison from its supply lines.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/16/libyan-rebels-libya-contact-group-brega | location=London | work=The Guardian | first1=Chris | last1=Stephen | first2=David | last2=Smith | title=Libyan rebels win official recognition as their forces close in on Brega | date=16 July 2011}}</ref> Libya's opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) said on 16 July that they were preparing to enter the oil refinery town of Brega "within days", even as they suffered heavy casualties in the offensive<ref>http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-07/17/c_13990357.htm</ref> There was heavy NATO bombardment on the morning of 17 July, in which warplanes destroyed a large military vehicle storage area in Tajura, 30 kilometres east of Tripoli that consisted of several substantial warehouses, containing various military vehicles including battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers and ammunition. This was followed by intense street fighting in the town's northeastern area, with the rebels using heavy machine guns.<ref>http://tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=6417</ref> On the morning of 18 July it was reported that Gaddafi's forces were in full retreat and that the rebels were clearing land mines before securing the entire town.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE76H0MR20110718 | work=Reuters | title=UPDATE 1-Libya rebels say Gaddafi forces retreat in east | date=18 July 2011}}</ref> Before midday the rebels claimed victory in the battle.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE76H0KM20110718?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 | work=Reuters | title=WRAPUP 3-Libya denies rebel victory claim in Brega oil town | date=18 July 2011}}</ref> On 23 July the rebels were still clearing mines while facing "negligible" resistance from a small remaining force of Gaddafi loyalists.<ref>http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=294015</ref>

During the 2011 Libyan civil war, oil export and activities at the oil refinery have been brought to a standstill. By the end of February, throughput at the oil terminal had diminished from 90,000 barrels of crude oil daily to a mere 11,000. Many employees at the terminal had left, following rumours that the regime of Muammar Gaddafi was going to bomb the plant.<ref name=1310news>{{cite web|url=http://www.1310news.com/news/world/article/189604--at-libya-s-brega-oil-facility-employees-are-few-and-production-has-been-slashed | title=At Libya's Brega oil facility, employees are few and production has been slashed | publisher=1310news.com | author=Paul Schemm, Associated Press | date=26 February 2011 | accessdate=2011-07-17}}</ref>