Fall of Nofaliya (2015)
| Fall of Nofaliya | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Second Libyan Civil War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Libya New General National Congress | |||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Libya Mohamed Obaid (Head of police) |
Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (Caliph of ISIL) Islamic State Abu Nabil al-Anbari (ISIL commander of North Africa) Islamic State Ali Al-Qarqaa (ISIL Emir of Nofaliya) | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 20–50 local policemen |
Islamic State 200–500 fighters 40 vehicles[2] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 20+ policemen fled | Unknown | ||||||
The Fall of Nofaliya refers to the takeover of the town of Nofaliya in Sirte District, Libya, by the self-declared Islamic State in February 2015.
Events
[edit ]On 8 February 2015, a convoy of 40 heavily armed 4WD vehicles drove 140 km from Sirte, where ISIL has a significant presence, into the town of Nofaliya.[3] Some vehicles displayed the flag of ISIL, and the convoy reportedly included many foreign fighters.[4] Upon their arrival, the fighters ordered Nofaliya's residents to "repent" and pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The fighters appointed Ali Al-Qarqaa as emir of the town.[5]
A day after Nofaliya was taken over, ISIL reinforced the entrances into the town to prevent sunrise attacks. A video of the takeover was also posted on the social media.[6]
According to Libya Herald , with Nofaliya under its control, ISIL would be able to control the Libyan Coastal Highway. As 16 February 2015, ISIL also controls the city of Derna, Sirte, and has a presence in Tripoli and Sabratha.[citation needed ]
Nofaliya was retaken by New General National Congress forces on 19 March 2015.[7]
However, after GNC retook Nofaliya, they withdrew from Nofaliya and bin Jawad on 20 March because of ISIL's offensive. They withdrew from there after only two days.[8] ISIL is setting up checkpoints after they retook the city from GNC on 28 March.[9] On 30 March, Al-Monitor reported that Nofaliya, Sirte, and Derna were still under the control of ISIL.[10]
Nofaliya was captured by pro-government forces on 31 May 2016.[11]
See also
[edit ]- List of wars and battles involving ISIL
- Fall of Mosul
- Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant occupation of Derna
- February 2015 Egyptian airstrikes in Libya
- Battle of Sirte (2015)
References
[edit ]- ^ "Islamic State Sprouting Limbs Beyond Its Base". The New York Times . 14 February 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
- ^ "Islamic State's takeover of Nawfaliya highlights increasing risks to oil fields and personnel in Libya's Sirte Basin". janes.com. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- ^ Waleed, Farah (9 February 2015). "IS claim to take over Libyan town near Ben Jawad". Libya Herald . Retrieved 15 February 2015.
- ^ Fsadni, Ranier (12 February 2015). "Escalation in Libya". Times of Malta . Retrieved 15 February 2015.
- ^ "IS said to have taken another Libyan town". Times of Malta . 10 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- ^ "#Libya ISIS claim to take over Nawfaliya town near Ben Jawad ... Force includes foreign fighters". Twitter. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
- ^ "Pro-Tripoli forces retake Nawfaliya from ISIS, Al Jazeera". ANSAmed. 19 March 2015. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ^ "Libyan army advances towards Tripoli". KUNA. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- ^ "Tripoli forces withdraw from battle for Libyan oil ports". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- ^ "Will IS benefit from Operation Decisive Storm? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- ^ "UN envoy calls for more unity in defeating Islamic State in Libya". 31 May 2016.