Which were anti-Gaddafi and Pro-Gaddafi forces in Libya civil war
Introduction
The Libyan Civil War of 2011 saw various rebel groups fighting against Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, while some groups remained loyal to him. Here’s an overview of the main groups on both sides:
Anti-Gaddafi Forces
The anti-Gaddafi forces, also known as the Libyan opposition or Libyan rebels, consisted of several groups:
Political Opposition
National Transitional Council (NTC): The main political body representing the opposition
Libyan Youth Movement
Committee for Libyan National Action in Europe
Libyan Freedom and Democracy Campaign
National Conference for the Libyan Opposition
Libyan Islamic Movement
Armed Groups
Tripoli Brigade
Zintan Brigades
Misrata Military Council
Benghazi-based rebel groups
Zuwara militias
These groups were often organized around individual cities, neighborhoods, or tribes.
Pro-Gaddafi Forces
While not as numerous as the opposition, some groups remained loyal to Gaddafi:
Military Units
Khamis Brigade
Led by Gaddafi’s son Khamis, one of the most powerful and well-equipped units
Other crack brigades composed of members from Gaddafi’s tribe or loyal tribes
Loyalist Militias
Groups in Bani Walid, Ghat, Al Ajaylat, Brak, and Sirte, which were strongholds of Gaddafi loyalism
“Brigade of the Martyr Muhammad Gaddafi”: A group mentioned in clashes near Zawiya
Post-War Loyalist Activity
The “Green Resistance”
A term used for supposed pro-Gaddafi militant groups after the war
Libyan Popular National Movement
Formed in exile by former Gaddafi government officials
Conclusion
The conflict was characterized by a fragmented opposition with various local militias and defected military units fighting against Gaddafi’s forces. The opposition groups often had different motivations and backgrounds, ranging from secular to Islamist-leaning factions.
As the conflict progressed, these diverse anti-Gaddafi forces sometimes united against common threats, such as when forming Operation Dawn against Haftar in 2014-2015.
