2012 Zintan clashes

Last updated
2012 Zintan clashes
Part of Post-civil war violence in Libya
Date11 – 18 June 2012
(1 week)
Location
Result NTC control reestablihed
Belligerents
Zintan fighters
Guntrara tribe
Flag of Libya.svg Libyan government Mashashya tribe
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Col Hamed Zwei Unknown
105 dead
~500 wounded

The 2012 Zintan clashes begun on 17 June 2012, after a Zintan man was killed after stopping at a checkpoint during an attempted transport of tanks from a weapons depot in Mizda to Zintan. [1]

During the Gaddafi era, land was often taken from one tribe and diapered[ clarification needed ] to others, creating and exacerbating tensions between the tribes. Long standing resentment was further compounded with groups such as the Mashashya tribe choosing not to join in the rebellion against Gaddafi, whilst fighters from Zintan played a prominent role, fighting in favour of the NTC. [2]

As a result of the fierce fighting between the different tribes, government troops were deployed to the area on 17 June. The area was subsequently declared a military zone. The deployment of soldiers and imposition of a government enforced ceasefire [3] managed to prevent further clashes, with Government spokesman Nasser al-Manaa declaring that fighting had ended on 18 June. [4]

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References

  1. BBC News – Troops sent to quell clashes in western Libya
  2. Troops sent to quell clashes in western Libya – Africa – Al Jazeera English
  3. Libyan Government Sends Troops to Quell Fighting in West of Country Archived 2013-11-20 at the Wayback Machine
  4. BBC News - Libya's tribal clashes leave 105 dead