Gulf of Sidra Offensive (2017)

Gulf of Sidra Offensive (2017)
Part of the Second Libyan Civil War
Map of the initial GNS offensive. GNS gains were later reversed.
Date 3 March 2017 – 14 March 2017 Location Coast of the Gulf of Sidra, Libya Result Libyan National Army victory[3] Benghazi Defense Brigades capture a strip of coastal territory between Nofaliya and Ras Lanuf, and transfer it to Government of National Accord. On 14 March 2017, LNA recaptures all lost positions in a counter-offensive.
Belligerents
General National Congress Benghazi Defense Brigades Mercenaries (allegedly)[1] Supported by: Misratan militias Government of National Accord (After 7 March) Petroleum Facilities Guard	House of Representatives Libyan National Army Libyan Air Force Mercenaries (allegedly)[2] Supported by:  United Arab Emirates (allegedly)
Commanders and leaders
Brig. Mustafa al-Shirksi Idris Bukhamada (After 7 March)	Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar

The Gulf of Sidra Offensive was an offensive of the Second Libyan Civil War. It was launched by the Benghazi Defense Brigades on 3 March 2017, and initially resulted in them taking control of a strip of coastal territory between the towns of Nofaliya and Ras Lanuf, which was then handed over to the Government of National Accord. A number of significant oil ports are located in this area, sometimes referred to as the Oil Crescent. The loss of the Oil Crescent was perceived by analysts as a major blow to the power of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.^[4]

On 14 March, Haftar's Libyian National Army (LNA) recaptured all positions lost to the Benghazi Defence and Misratan Brigades in a counter-offensive after several days of aerial bombardment.^[5][6][7]