Gulf of Sidra Offensive (2017)

Gulf of Sidra Offensive (2017)
Part of the Second Libyan Civil War

Map of the initial GNS offensive. GNS gains were later reversed.
Date3 March 2017 – 14 March 2017
Location
Coast of the Gulf of Sidra, Libya
Result

Libyan National Army victory

  • Benghazi Defense Brigades capture a strip of coastal territory between Nofaliya and Ras Lanuf, and transfer it to Government of National Accord.
  • On 14 March 2017, LNA recaptures all lost positions in a counter-offensive.
Belligerents

General National Congress

Supported by:
Misratan militias


Government of National Accord (After 7 March)

House of Representatives

Supported by:

 United Arab Emirates (allegedly)
Commanders and leaders

Brig. Mustafa al-Shirksi


Idris Bukhamada (After 7 March)
Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar

The Gulf of Sidra Offensive was an offensive of the Second Libyan Civil War. It was launched by the Benghazi Defense Brigades on 3 March 2017, and initially resulted in them taking control of a strip of coastal territory between the towns of Nofaliya and Ras Lanuf, which was then handed over to the Government of National Accord. A number of significant oil ports are located in this area, sometimes referred to as the Oil Crescent. The loss of the Oil Crescent was perceived by analysts as a major blow to the power of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

On 14 March, Haftar's Libyian National Army (LNA) recaptured all positions lost to the Benghazi Defence and Misratan Brigades in a counter-offensive after several days of aerial bombardment.