SUMMARY

The Forces of Muammar Gaddafi refers to the groups that were led by, and fought for former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, after the fall of his regime on 22 August 2011. Fighting the new government, they were active in Libya until 22 October 2011 and had an estimated troop size of less than 76 000. This figure is drawn from the 2010 troop figures for the Government of Libya but is likely to be much lower due to its targeting from NATO and NTC as well as the defection of troops to the NTC, prior to the ousting of Gaddafi’s regime.

Muammar Gaddafi was President of Libya for 42 years, after leading a military coup against King Idris of Libya in 1969. Despite revolutionary roots, the regime of Muammar Gaddafi retained its authority through totalitarian rule and the use of tribal allegiances. In 2011, the entire region was engulfed in what was quickly named the Arab spring. The demonstrations, which focused on demands for a better quality of life, more freedom and a higher level of political participation, originated in Tunisia and soon reached Libya.

The Forces of Gaddafi included those loyal to or had benefited under the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, such as the Gaddafa tribe, located in Sirte, the hometown of Gaddafi. Prisoners and a predominant number of West Africans were also hired as mercenaries to fight in support of Muhammad Gaddafi when the popular uprising in Libya began, and they remained loyal after the fall of the regime. The Forces of Muammar Gaddafi were mainly located in the west of Libya and in Sirte, the most defiant and final stronghold for these forces. Grave human rights violations were reported to have been perpetrated by the Forces of Muammar Gaddafi during the conflict. Nonetheless, evidence found also suggested that mass executions of fighters from the Forces of Muammar Gaddafi had also occurred. After the death of Muammar Gaddafi, the group was dissolved.

Notable figures in the group included former Defense Minister Abu Bakr Younis and Muammar Gaddafi’s son, Mutassim, who was responsible for the military defense of Sirte. Both were part of Muammar Gaddafi’s inner circle and died during or shortly after the battle for Sirte respectively, when Muammar Gaddafi was captured and died on 20 October 2011.

Algeria was notable amongst the neighboring states of Libya, for maintaining its recognition of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime despite the start of popular uprisings.