Battle of Sirte

Sirte's first attack by Misrata's civilian battalions (September 15)

On September 15, a representative of the Libyan Transitional National Council, Jallal al-Galal, said that west of Sirte, units of the National Army (former rebels) - a convoy of 100 tanks and 800 vehicles with machine guns and artillery ^{[28] [29]} - launched a “major offensive” and now they are “on the outskirts of [Sirte]” ^[30] . Although the information against the background of reports on the eve of the withdrawal of the units of the Transitional National Council in the Sirte direction was contradictory, however, according to representatives of the Military Council of Misrata , their subordinate troops reached El Garbiyat Bridge, immediately after which the city of Sirte begins, on the west side ^{[31 ]} , and “Tuvar Misrata” (literally, “revolutionaries of Misrata”) now control the [western] exits from the city of Sirte. ” It was reported the beginning of street fighting in residential areas of the city.

A number of news agencies hastened to report on the successes of the upcoming ^{[32] [33]} , but later the representative of the Libyan Transitional National Council Abdulrahman Busin said: “I don’t know how far they managed to advance ... They came under heavy fire. The main threat comes from snipers ” ^[34] . Al-Jazeera later reported 11 dead and 34 wounded PLA fighters ^[35] and 40 loyalists captured ^[36] . However, the one-day assault on the city by troops loyal to the new Libyan authorities failed, and yet the troops of the National Army managed to gain a foothold on the western outskirts of Sirte, as well as capture the Sirte airport .

On September 16, Al-Jazeera TV channel announced the retreat of supporters of the Transitional Council from residential areas of the city of Sirte due to fierce resistance with the participation of snipers and artillery of the loyalist forces ^[37] . Thus, the first assault of Sirte by the troops of the National Army failed. ^[38]

Second Attack Attack on Sirte (September 19)

On September 19, the Misrata Brigade troops made another attempt to storm Sirte ^[39] , which did not produce significant results, but suspended the attack with a view to regrouping, and also left the corridor for refugees leaving the city ^[40] , according to which the humanitarian situation in the city is deteriorating.

On September 21, Dr. Shuhaib-abu-Garza said that during the battles for the city on the eve of three soldiers of the new government were killed, 17 wounded. In total, from the beginning of the battle for Sirte, the troops of the Transitional National Council lost at least 45 people killed, more than 200 soldiers were injured. ^[41]

On September 23 , there were reportedly no active hostilities in the Sirte area, but civilians continued to leave the city, which was actually under siege. According to representatives of the troops of the new Libyan government, the city daily leaves "an average of 400-500 cars." According to refugees leaving the city, in Sirte, in which “there is no light, they turned off the water, shops are closed, and people are running out of food,” it’s impossible to be. ^[42] . Other residents leaving the city claimed that Gaddafi’s loyalists prevented civilians from leaving the city. According to one of the residents who left the city, Massouda al-Adawi, “they don’t want people to leave the city. They want to use them as a human shield. ^[43]

Third Attack on Sirte (September 24)

On September 24, a number of news agencies announced the resumption of the assault by the PNS of the city of Sirte. ^{[44] [45]} Mussa Ibrahim said on the eve that “over 150 civilians” were allegedly victims of NATO air strikes and artillery of the PNS troops ^[46] . Check this statement is not possible. Other sources reported that, despite the activity of snipers of troops loyal to Gaddafi in the city, the troops of the Transitional Council went to Zafran Square (1 kilometer from the center of Sirte), where, as reported, fierce battles were fought. ^[47] From the air, the forces of the new Libyan government were supported by NATO aviation. ^[48] By the middle of the day, according to Al-Jazeera, the National Army occupied the Zafaran area west of the city center. Fights for areas in the western part of the city continued. ^[49] It is reported that this time, to consolidate success, the troops of the new government, advancing from the west, create defensive structures (using containers that have proved their effectiveness in street battles) ^[50]

September 25 received conflicting information about the results of the storming of the city on the eve. Some sources reported the seizure of a number of objects by the troops of the new government in the west of Sirte (among which were the National Electricity Control Center and a television center ). ^[51] However, later Al-Jazeera reported that National Army troops had retreated from the city center due to high casualties (9 killed and 97 injured), most of which were caused by sniper fire. Gaddafi’s troops are reportedly conducting counterattacks at night. ^[22]

On September 27 , according to one of the PNS detachment commanders west of Sirte, Tukhami Zayani, he was called by an al-Gaddaf tribe who introduced himself as one of the elders and asked for a truce and a corridor to leave the city. ^[52] However, the direction of departure, the identity of the caller to the commander with this proposal, and other details are unknown. ^[53]

On the same day, it became known that the PNS detachments advancing on the eve from the west suffered heavy losses (7 dead, including two commanders and 40 wounded) due to sniper fire. According to soldiers of the National Army, they did not fire from heavy guns because of the threat to civilians still in the city. They also report about 25 mercenaries captured the day before. ^[54] According to eyewitnesses, the fighting also went on in the area of ​​the Mahari Hotel, ^[55] which was later reportedly taken by the attackers. Battles in the university area were also reported. ^[56]

Airport Takeover (September 28)

On September 28, the Misrata brigade militias actually stopped the frontal attacks on Sirte from the west, concentrating on the territory south of the city. During the day, there were reports of troops taking the new Libyan government to the airport , which was later confirmed by Al-Jazeera ^{[57] [58]} and Reuters. The latter adds that previously the airport was used by Gaddafi's forces as a position for rocket and artillery shelling of the advancing. ^[59]

September 29, the intensity of the fighting on September 29 near Sirte, in General, decreased. Against this background, humanitarian organizations at the UN reportedly delivered drinking water to refugees leaving the city. ^[60]

The advance of the Eastern Front of the PLA on Sirte (September 16–27)

Against the backdrop of several unsuccessful attempts by the Misrata command forces, in the second half of September by storm to take Sirte alone, the offensive against the Sirte National Army forces from the east continued. By the time the battle for Sirte began, the armed forces of the revolutionaries advancing from the east, the closest of all the rebel forces of Libya to the army structure in its classical sense, already controlled 3/4 of the coast from Brega to Sirte. However, to the city itself, which is one of the last strongholds of Gaddafi’s troops, they still had to walk at least 70 kilometers. ^[61]

On September 17, on the Eastern Front, detachments of the National Army (former rebels) were reportedly able to take control of the village of Harava, from which conflicting information had been received the day before about the willingness of the population to stop resistance. ^[62]

On September 19, units of the National Army, having moved 20–25 kilometers the day before towards Sirte, took possession of the village of Es Sultan , located 50–55 kilometers east of Sirte ^[63] . It was reported that the attack in the direction of Sirte from the east continued, and in the evening of the same day the troops of the National Army managed to reach the eastern entrance to Sirte. However, having met with serious resistance, the troops of the former rebels on September 20 regrouped in the eastern vicinity of Sirte ^[64] . The National Army reportedly had a shortage of ammunition, as a result of which the attack on Sirte was suspended in the Kamsin area, 50 kilometers from Sirte.

On September 22, Mustafa Bin-Darif , commander of the Zintan brigade of the National Army on the Eastern Front, said that his troops' advance on Sirte was postponed for a week due to lack of equipment and ammunition. According to him, on September 22, the positions of the troops of the new Libyan authorities were 25 kilometers east of Sirte. ^[65]

On September 23, one of the commanders of the National Army, Ahmed Zlitni, told AFP that the troops of the new government took control of the eastern entrance to Sirte. According to him, “they are two kilometers from the eastern entrance to the city. In fact, we can say that we entered Sirte from the east. " Commander Muhammad al-Marimi confirmed this information, adding that "three or four brigades entered [the city] from the east." ^[66]

Later, Al-Jazeera reporters confirmed this information, specifying that the offensive was carried out by the forces of the Eastern Front of the Libyan Transitional Council (a rear base was created in the village of Harava). ^[67] During the march, the National Army was reportedly overcome 19 kilometers on this front and gain a foothold 20 kilometers from the residential areas of Sirte. There was also evidence that Gaddafi's soldiers had resorted to "black magic." ^[68]

On September 24, troops of the National Army east of Sirte, according to the BBC, from the positions occupied the day before at the entrance to Sirte (20 kilometers east of the city’s residential areas), moved west another 10 kilometers. The correspondent of the channel reported about the rocket shootings at the forefront. ^[69]

September 26 The eastern front of the PLA reached the eastern suburbs of Sirte . ^[70] Al-Jazeera reporters then reported that the National Army had entered the eastern part of Sirte, where street fighting had begun. ^{[71] [72]}

On September 27, Al-Jazeera reported with reference to the commander of the Zintan brigade of the Eastern Front of the National Army, Mustafa Binderdaf, that after a night assault, the new government captured the port of Sirte ^[73] , but the fighting continued in the east of the city. ^[74] However, later it became known about a series of counterattacks undertaken by loyal Gaddafi forces in this port area and in the east of Sirte as a whole. So, according to Al-Arabiya TV channel, on the night of September 28, PNS forces had to retreat from the Ugadugu complex by 3 kilometers due to fierce resistance and counterattacks faced by the advancing forces from the east. According to one of the PLA commanders on the Eastern Front, the situation is changing every day: "We win one day, they win the other." Nevertheless, according to him, the troops of the new government "remain in the port area." ^[75]

Transitional Government Grouping near Sirte

On October 1, the troops of the new government continued their offensive on Sirte. Attempts were made to surround the Ugadugu complex , which had previously been used by M. Gaddafi to receive foreign guests. According to information received, the offensive was carried out from the south: about 100 vehicles, including those with anti-tank guns and rocket launchers, entered the city. The area of the Sirte Ring located at the intersection of roads to the south and east of the city, and which had been captured by the PNS troops on the eve, became a springboard for the offensive. The senior commander of the PNS forces said that there were more cases of attempts to flee loyal Gaddafi soldiers dressed in civilian clothes from the city, which also indirectly indicates a worsening humanitarian situation in the city, and in particular a lack of food supplies. ^[13] According to one of the field commanders of the National Army on the eastern front, Ali Badr Youssef, the troops of the new government managed to cut off the loyalist group in Qasr Abu Hadi from the city. The port also, according to him, on October 1 remained under the control of supporters of the PNS. ^[76] Thus, the troops of the Eastern Front of the National Army merged with the Western group (command of the city of Misrat).

On October 2 , despite a pause in the fighting for two days previously announced by the PNS ^[77] , the fighting continued. According to representatives of the troops of the new Libyan government, the city was completely surrounded on the eve, and street battles continued in it. It became known that the units of the National Army captured the military headquarters of the battalion Saadi Gaddafi . ^[78] The flow of refugees from the city continued, among which, according to correspondents, many remained loyal to Gaddafi, however, due to the unbearable conditions of being in the city, they were also forced to leave it. In total, on October 2, according to one of the field commanders of the National Army, Seddik El Faytori, over 1,000 vehicles left the city. ^[79] However, it is also reported that many residents still remain both in Sirte and in neighboring Qasr Abu Hadi . ^[80]

On October 3, Reuters reported that, after three days of fierce fighting, the new authorities took control of the Qasr Abu Hadi region south of Sirte. ^[81] However, the sweeping of the area in the Qasr Abu Hadi region continued. ^[82] Qasr-abu-Hadi is the place where Colonel M. Gaddafi was born, so his capture is psychologically important for supporters of the PNS. ^[83]

On the eve of the humanitarian aid convoy, due to a new outbreak of hostilities, it was not possible to reach the city ^[84] , while the troops of the National Army were reportedly able to advance 4 kilometers in the eastern sector of the front. Reporters report empty city streets and abandoned houses, some of which have revealed spontaneous weapons depots. ^[85]

On October 4, from the western side of the city, the forces of the revolutionaries fired intensively at the positions of the loyalists ^[86] , while the number of residents leaving the city, many of whom were initially afraid of reprisals from the side of the revolutionaries, is increasing day by day. ^[87]

On the eve of the organization of the “Red Cross” was able to deliver medical care to Ibn Sina hospital ^[88] , as well as to evacuate the Dutch nurse who worked in this Sirte hospital. ^[89] The National Army is reportedly attempting to create a corridor to Ibn Sina Hospital, but has met fierce resistance from Gaddafi’s supporters, mainly from snipers. ^[90] It is reported that supporters of the new government (with the participation of tanks and anti-tank guns) fired at the central part of the city from positions south of the Ugadugu complex and Ibn Sina hospital. ^[91] According to some reports, fighting also took place in the north-east of the city, near the coast . ^[92]

On October 5, street battles continued in Sirte, gradually moving closer to the city center. The intensity of artillery fire on the positions of supporters of the new government decreased, as a result of which the revolutionaries reportedly seized the initiative. ^{[93] [94]} Reuters quoted the commander of the transitional government, Adele al-Hassi, who said revolutionaries control “more than half the city.” A Reuters correspondent said that in the central part of the city, troops loyal to Gaddafi continued to fire, however, according to one of the PLA’s commanders, Ahmed al-Obeidi, there are not so many mortar guns at the defenders. ^[95]

On October 6, according to some reports, Gaddafi’s troops launched a counterattack ^[96] , which was repelled by government forces, but the pace of the offensive slowed down. The new positions of the National Army troops in the eastern part of the city were located about a kilometer west of the El Gardabia Hotel on the coast , which was previously the front line. Street fights have moved to the area of five-story houses near the coast . ^[97] Saleh al-Jadu , the field commander of the new government, said that the center of the city remained under the control of Gaddafi’s troops, while most civilians had already left the area. ^[98] According to him, the artillery of government troops is firing, including at the fishing pier with a stadium next to it so that the residents in the central part of the city leave Sirte. ^[99]

Offensive by the Transitional Government in the city center (October 7-12)

On October 7 in the morning, supporters of the PNS from the western outskirts of Sirte launched a major attack on the city, ^[100] which was prepared in a few days and the order was given the day before, ^[101] however, faced fierce resistance, which, according to the attackers, in the west of the city provided approximately 800 people. ^[102] National Army forces fired artillery at the Ugadugu Convention Center, as well as another area of ​​the city, where it is believed that the centers of resistance of Gaddafi’s troops are concentrated. At the same time, the Red Cross organization asks the parties to refrain from striking the Ibn Sina hospital, which, according to the latest data, is on the line of fire between the conflicting parties. ^[103] Fierce fighting was also fought near and on campus. ^{[104] The} attack on the Ugadugu complex itself ^[105] , as was later reported, was virtually drowned, as the attackers faced resistance from loyal Gaddafi soldiers armed with grenade launchers and firing sniper fire. ^[106] A new wave of refugees from the city and the loss of troops of the new government were also reported, ^{[107] of} which at least 11 were killed and over 180 injured. However, according to the same report, the attackers managed to take possession of the area known as Sabamia ("700 houses") in the southwestern part of the city. ^[108]

On October 8, weather conditions in the Sirte region deteriorated significantly, a sandstorm arose. In this regard, the intensity of the battles has significantly decreased. ^[109] However, the National Army continued the offensive, gaining control over the Sabamiya area (the "700 houses district") taken the day before, where commanders and officers of Gaddafi’s troops lived mainly ^[110] and where significant food supplies were discovered. ^[111] The Ugadugu Conference Center, as well as the Al-Askria district in southern Sirte, remained in the hands of troops loyal to Gaddafi. However, troops advancing from the east, loyal to the new Libyan government, cut and took control of the highway connecting Ugaduga with the city center, ^[112] thus surrounding the group of troops of Gaddafi defending the Ugadugu complex in the south of the city. Fights also went for the university, located next to the complex. ^{[113] A} stream of refugees continued from Sirte, many of whom left the city on foot. National Army field commander Naji Mismari, whose troops were advancing towards the center of Sirte through the Moorish quarter, said his forces had “freed 17 families” trapped in the fighting and taken them out of the war zone in their cars. ^[114]

On October 9, after fierce fighting the night before , the troops of the National Army captured the university ^{[115] [116]} , which in the morning came under fire from the troops loyal to Gaddafi, as a result of which several PLA soldiers died. ^[117] Battles continued for the Ugadugu complex , ^[118] part of which was taken by the attackers. ^{[119] [120] [121]} Later, the Al-Jazeera TV channel announced that the advancing from the east supporters of the PNS of the El-Ghiza area on the coast. ^[122] . Later, information appeared, confirmed by the AFP correspondent, about the complete capture by the National Army of the Ugadugu complex ^[123] and Ibn Sina Hospital . According to doctors, 2 days after the start of the “decisive attack” by supporters of the new government on Sirte, the revolutionaries lost 23 soldiers killed and 330 wounded. ^[124]

October 10 at night it became known about the counterattack of troops loyal to Gaddafi on the Ugadugu complex, Ibn Sina hospital and the university, which were subjected to mortar fire. It was reported about 7 dead by the revolutionaries. ^[125] It was previously reported that Gaddafi supporters defending in Sirte counterattack mainly at night. ^{[126] [127] [128]} However, by morning the troops of the new government retained control of the southern part of Sirte, fierce fighting continued in the Zaafran region. ^[129] According to some reports, PNS supporters also managed to seize the hotel complex near the Ugadugu complex. ^[130] The fighting spread to the central part of the city and closer to the coast. ^[131] Battles were reported near the television center ^[132] , in the Al-Dollar region ^[133] and in the city center, where, according to some sources, the National Army managed to encircle Green Square and the presidential palace. ^[134] According to representatives of the troops of the interim Libyan government, their forces were on October 10 less than 1 kilometer from the Central Square of Sirte . ^[135]

Fights for Al-Dollar and District 2 (October 12-18)

12 октября войска революционеров, наступавшие с востока, вели бои в центре Сирта. ^[136] Ожесточённые уличные бои ^[137] велись в районе Аль-Доллар , ^[12] — одном из последних очагов сопротивления сторонникам нового ливийского правительства ^[138] , а также в жилом Районе № 2 . В общей сложности, по сторонники нового ливийского правительства контролировали на 12 октября до 80 % территории города. ^[139]

13 октября появилась информация о том, что наступавшими были подавлены почти все очаги сопротивления остатков войск Каддафи в Сирте. ^[140] Одним из немногих очагов сопротивления оставался Район № 2. ^[141] Бои шли возле одной из школ, по которой позже наступавшими был нанесён удар с миномётов. Появилась неподтверждённая информация о том, что Муттазим Каддафи мог быть схвачен в Сирте накануне. ^{[142] [143]} Однако высокопоставленные чиновники во Временном ливийском правительстве не могли это подтвердить ^[144] и позже опровергли эту информацию, при этом заявив, что некоторые приближённые к Муттазиму Каддафи бойцы прежнего режима действительно были захвачены. ^[145]

Позже днём появилась информация об отступлении до 2-х километров войск Переходного ливийского правительства из-за контратаки войск Каддафи в центре Сирта ^[146] к штабу полиции, захваченному наступавшими ранее. ^{[147] [148]} с применением ракет и миномётов. ^[149] Также стало известно, что в некоторых районах в центре города была уничтожена водонапорная башня, после чего вода оказалась на улицах города. ^[150]

14 октября после отступления накануне, командование Национальной армии усилило свою группировку в Сирте танками, которые до этого мало использовалось в уличных боях в городе. ^[151] Возобновились бои в районах Аль-Доллар и Район № 2. ^[152] Командующие Национальной армии сообщили, что в течение шести часов вели огонь с артиллерийских орудий и систем Град по Району № 2 и району Аль-Доллар. ^[153] О результатах боёв не сообщается, ^[154] к вечеру бойцы НОА вернулись на исходные позиции вблизи полицейского штаба. ^[155]

15 октября после артобстрела позиций войск Каддафи в района Аль-Доллар и Район № 2, ^[156] стало известно о новой контратаке войск Каддафи в городе, после чего войска Переходного правительства отступили к ранее занятым позициям (район полицейского штаба). Сообщается, что огонь также вёлся артиллерией и ракетами. ^[157]

16 октября , по данным Reuters, бои возле района Аль-Доллар возобновились, ^{[158] [159]} однако командование сторонников Переходного правительства воздерживалось от отправки войск на штурм двух остававшихся в руках войск Каддафи районов, вместо этого используя артиллерию и танки. ^[160] Сообщается также о том, что ещё 30 семей было эвакуировано с района боевых действий в Сирте. ^[161]

17 октября продолжилась осада силами сторонников Переходного ливийского правительства районов № 2 и Аль-Доллар в то время, как бои несколько стихли. По данным полевых командиров Национальной армии, среди покинувших город беженцев, остававшихся в этих районах, были и ближайшие родственники Муссы Ибрагима — представителя лидера Джамахерии. ^[162]

«Решающий штурм» и взятие Сирта (18-20 октября)

18 октября произошёл ожесточённый бой между сторонниками Каддафи и войсками Национальной армии в центральной части Сирта, о котором изначально сведения были крайне противоречивыми.

Как позже выяснилось, войска Национальной армии в Сирте предприняли новую атаку на подконтрольную войскам Каддафи часть города с восточной стороны, в операции приняли участие около 1000 бойцов. ^[163] . Однако атака по времени совпала с контратакой войск Каддафи в этом районе, в итоге за 15 минут как минимум 23 бойца Национальной армии было ранено. ^{[164] [165]} Юго-западнее контролируемых войсками Каддафи районов, сторонники Переходного правительства также понесли серьёзные потери. ^[166] Медики сообщили о 13 погибших бойцах Национальной армии ^[167] Среди погибших, как позже выяснилось, оказался и командующий Зинтанской бригады Мустафа Биндердаф, который попал под миномётный огонь. ^[17]

Однако атака Национальной армии была продолжена, в результате к концу дня стало известно, что сторонники Переходного правительства сумели занять часть района Аль-Доллар, где войска Каддафи ранее в течение недели успешно отбивали атаки правительственных войск. ^[168] В частности, они штурмовали дом, принадлежавший Аише Каддафи, дочке свергнутого ливийского лидера. ^[169] Также стало известно, что из Сирта были эвакуированы несколько оказавшихся блокированными в центре города бангладешских семей. ^[170]

19 октября командующий Зинтанской бригадой Национальной армии Эссам Багхар сообщил агентству AFP о взятии накануне сторонниками Переходного правительства района Аль-Доллар. По его словам, лояльные Каддафи войска в Сирте остаются на подконтрольной им территории в Районе 2, площадь которой составляет менее одного квадратного километра. ^[19] Сообщается, что сторонники Переходного правительства доставили к району боевых действий бульдозер, который должен был убрать баррикады из контейнеров, расставленных ранее сторонниками Каддафи поперёк улиц в центре города. ^[171] Также сообщается о наступлении революционеров со стороны побережья в северной части Сирта к овощному рынку в центре города, а также о взятии в плен лояльных Каддафи солдат, в том числе нескольких женщин-снайперов. ^[172]

20 октября появились сообщения о полном взятии правительственными войсками Сирта . «Решающая атака», как сообщает Associated Press, началась в 8 часов утра и продлилась 90 минут. Незадолго до этого из Района 2 лоялисты попытались выехать на 5 машинах, однако были перехвачены и убиты войсками Национальной армии. ^{[173] [174]} Затем началась зачистка захваченных кварталов Сирта. ^{[175] [176]} О судьбе Муттазима Каддафи, а также его приближённых, которые, как предполагалось ранее, могли находиться в Сирте, информации не поступало. В Переходном ливийском правительстве подтвердили взятие Сирта. По словам полковника Юниса аль-Абдали, «Сирт освобождён. Войск Каддафи в нём больше нет». ^{[177] [178]}

Накануне штурма 20 октября из Сирта в западном направлении выехал конвой из 100 машин , в котором находились лояльные Каддафи войска. По некоторым данным, Муттазим Каддафи, либо сам полковник М. Каддафи или его приближённые, могли находиться в нём. Французская авиация нанесла удар по конвою.

Вскоре появились сообщения Reuters , ссылающегося на представителя Переходного правительства, о том, что сам Муаммар Каддафи был схвачен западнее Сирта бойцами гражданских батальонов Мисраты, при этом получив ранения обеих ног ^[179] . По другим данным, он был схвачен в Сирте во время зачистки территории ^[180] . По другой версии телеканала, он был убит ^[181] .

Представитель Переходного ливийского правительства Абдель Маджид Млегта сообщил, что полковник Каддафи скончался от ран вблизи Сирта ^[5] . Однако Абдель Хаким Белхадж , председатель Военного Совета Триполи сообщил, что Муаммар Каддафи был взят в плен и транспортировался в Мисурату. Хотя позже, по данным Aljazeera English, он сообщил, что Каддафи «был убит бойцами», подтвердив информацию о смерти Муаммара Каддафи ^[182] .

По словам представителя Переходного ливийского правительства Мухаммеда Абдель-Хафи, тело М.Каддафи доставлено в секретное место в целях безопасности ^[183] . Сын Муаммара Каддафи — Муттазим — как сначала сообщалось, был взят в плен ^[8] , однако позже телеканал SkyNews сообщил, что он также был убит. ^[9]

После официального падения города, сторонники ПНС, в частности бойцы наиболее боеспособных подразделений из г. Мисурата начали активное преследование и массовые расстрелы сторонников М. Каддафи. Так правозащитная организация Human Rights Watch (HRW) опубликовала 24 октября официальное заявление, в котором говорилось, что «в заброшенном отеле Сирта мы обнаружили 53 разлагающихся тела, предположительно сторонников М. Каддафи. Руки у некоторых из жертв в момент их убийства были связаны. Ливийские власти должны незамедлительно отреагировать на этот случай, начать расследование обстоятельств произошедшего и привлечь виновных к ответственности». ^[184] Состояние тел жертв указывает на то, что убийство произошло в промежутке между 14 и 19 октября. Характер ранений, а также найденные на месте убийства магазины от автоматов Калашникова и винтовок FN-1 указывают на то, что большинство погибших были расстреляны на месте. Как выяснили правозащитники, в эти дни район города, где проводились расстрелы, контролировался бойцами подразделения ПНС из Мисураты. Необходимо отметить, что именно эту бригаду подозревают в убийстве без суда и следствия захваченного в плен Муаммара Каддафи и его сына Мутаззима.

26 октября в Сирте и его пригородах представители международного Красного Креста обнаружили тела 267 людей, многие из которых, как считается, были казнены. Большинство из них было сторонниками М. Каддафи. Большинство погребенных были убиты выстрелом в голову, у большинства за спиной связаны руки, что подтверждает расстрелы лоялистов и гражданских уже после захвата их в плен. Прежде чем захоронить убитых, местные власти пересчитали и сфотографировали тела. Эти фотографии власти намеревались показать родственникам казненных. Представители Переходного национального совета Ливии пообещали провести расследование в связи с находкой и наказать виновных в массовой казни. ^[185]

29 октября в городе были обнаружено ещё одно массовое захоронение — в одном из зданий найдены тела более 50 человек. Агентство Press TV подчеркивает, что характер ран говорит о насильственной причине смерти. Согласно предварительным оценкам, это могут быть тела убитых сторонников Муаммара Каддафи. Мухаммед Муфтах, сотрудник благотворительной организации, занимающейся поиском погибших, заявил, что «там более 50 трупов, мы нашли их в доме, который сильно пострадал от удара самолетов НАТО. Среди убитых женщины и дети. Это ужасно. Пока мы не можем извлечь все тела, для этого нужна специальная техника». ^[186]