Late March 2011 Libyan rebel offensive

First Gulf of Sidra offensive
Part of the Libyan Civil War
Gulf of Sidra on 29 March 2011
Date 26–30 March 2011 Location Coast of the Gulf of Sidra, Libya Result Pro-Gaddafi victory Rebel advance repelled Frontline formed between Brega and Ajdabiya
Belligerents
Anti-Gaddafi forces National Liberation Army UNSC Resolution 1973 forces	Gaddafi Loyalists Libyan Army Paramilitary forces Foreign mercenaries
Commanders and leaders
Khalifa Belqasim Haftar	Al-Saadi Gaddafi
Strength
3,000+	Saadi Brigade 800 soldiers
Casualties and losses
At least 12 killed	At least 7 killed
7 civilians killed in a NATO air-strike near Brega.

Pro-Gaddafi victory

Anti-Gaddafi forces

Gaddafi Loyalists

Saadi Brigade

The First Gulf of Sidra offensive was the second major rebel offensive of the Libyan Civil War. It was mounted by anti-Gaddafi forces immediately after their victory in the Battle of Ajdabiya. The offensive was meant to have the rebel forces quickly reach Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte.

The operation was initially a success with the rebels taking almost 300 kilometres (190 miles) of coast along the Libyan Coastal Highway in just two days. However, by day three into the rebel advance, loyalist troops stopped their advance and the rebels were forced to retreat back to their starting positions.

After loyalist forces lost the battle for Ajdabiya on 26 March, rebels immediately pressed their momentum and took the oil town of Brega without a fight.

The next day, 27 March, opposition forces continued their push capturing Ra's Lanuf without a shot fired. By the end of the day, the rebels had entered Bin Jawad, 150 kilometres (93 miles) east of Sirte, again unopposed.

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Wikipedia