Fall of Nofaliya | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Second Libyan Civil War | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
![]() | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
20–50 local policemen | ![]() 40 vehicles [2] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
20+ policemen fled | Unknown |
The Fall of Nofaliya refers to the takeover of the town of Nofaliya in Sirte District, Libya, by the self-declared Islamic State in February 2015.
On 8 February 2015, a convoy of 40 heavily armed 4WD vehicles drove 140 km from Sirte, where ISIL has a significant presence, into the town of Nofaliya. [3] Some vehicles displayed the flag of ISIL, and the convoy reportedly included many foreign fighters. [4] Upon their arrival, the fighters ordered Nofaliya's residents to "repent" and pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The fighters appointed Ali Al-Qarqaa as emir of the town. [5]
A day after Nofaliya was taken over, ISIL reinforced the entrances into the town to prevent sunrise attacks. A video of the takeover was also posted on the social media. [6]
According to Libya Herald , with Nofaliya under its control, ISIL would be able to control the Libyan Coastal Highway. As 16 February 2015, ISIL also controls the city of Derna, Sirte, and has a presence in Tripoli and Sabratha.[ citation needed ]
Nofaliya was retaken by New General National Congress forces on 19 March 2015. [7]
However, after GNC retook Nofaliya, they withdrew from Nofaliya and bin Jawad on 20 March because of ISIL's offensive. They withdrew from there after only two days. [8] ISIL is setting up checkpoints after they retook the city from GNC on 28 March. [9] On 30 March, Al-Monitor reported that Nofaliya, Sirte, and Derna were still under the control of ISIL. [10]
Nofaliya was captured by pro-government forces on 31 May 2016. [11]