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.