#SIRTE: THE TURNING POINT OF THE LIBYAN CIVIL WAR 
78 years ago, a child was born in a port city of the Mediterranean Sea, Sirte, located in the south of Libyan capital, Tripoli. (1/15)
This child member of the Qadhadhfa Bedouin tribe was going to be the ironfisted ruler of his country for 42 years and change the course of his country's history. After being lynched by his people in 2011, Gaddafi left behind a nation divided in every manner. (2/15)
Currently, clashes between legitimate government forces and rebel militias continue in Sirte. Moreover, the city is located over the Oil Crescent and hosts billions of dollar reserves these days not only faces mass starvation but also the locals cannot even find oil. (3/15)
The city has been under the control of the Saudi backed 604th Brigade which is composed of Madhali Salafi’s for a long time. Besides the Tariq ibn Ziyad battalion, there are other pro-Haftar militia organizations over the city. (4/15)
The counter-assaults held by the GNA forces not only pushed Haftar militias to South of Tripoli but also it procured the retrieval of the strategically important Bani Walid and Trahuna fortifications. (5/15)
On the other hand, the spokesman of the Haftar militias, al- Mismari explicated the 60km retreat as a tactical decision. Currently, the GNA forces pushed the Hafar forces 430 km and positioned over the outskirts of Sirte. (6/15)
The legitimate power of Libya, the GNA faces logistical complications due to the great geography retaken in such a short period. On the other hand, the GNA forces are also deprived of their air defence cover positioned in Tripoli and Misrata. (7/15)
The importance of the air defence systems was experienced since the first day of the assaults started to Sirte. 2 Chinese-made Wing Loong 2 UAV supplied by UAE to Haftar targeted the GNA forces without facing any resistance. (8/15)
Afterward, the Russian Mig-29 supplied via Syria also conducted an aerial assault to the GNA forces on the ground. (9/15)
While Haftar militias strengthen their fortifications in Benghazi, Tobruk, and Sirte, the GNA forces send reinforcements to the outskirts of Sirte. (10/15)
The biggest determinant that will solve the deadlock between the two forces is correlated with their struggle on aerial superiority. (11/15)
While the Haftar forces actively utilize UAV’s from the Jufra Airbase, near Sirte, the air defence systems constitute vital importance for the GNA forces. Moreover, the aerial superiority for GNA forces is also a prerequisite to be able to use the Bayraktar TB2 UAV. (12/15)
The retrieval of Sirte will not only supply an economic advantage with its massive oil reserves but also the city is the last step for the GNA forces to outstretch their influence to Eastern Libya. (13/15)
Even though the struggle given for Sirte does not seem to be the last battle in the ongoing civil war, it may be the last hope for Haftar’s two-state proposal in Libya. (14/15)
After having successive defeats against the GNA, supporters of the Haftar’s rebellion abandoned their intention to unite Libya under a warlord and started to work for a partition plan that will cover the oil reserves and important ports of the country. (15/15)
