Brigade 93 was one of many militias that formed in the wake of the Libyan Civil War. It was based in Bani Walid, a former stronghold of the Gaddafi regime.[1] The militia was mainly composed of those still loyal to Gaddafi.[2]
| Brigade 93 | |
|---|---|
.svg) Flag of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya | |
| Leaders | Salem al-Ouaer |
| Dates of operation | January 2012 – Fall of 2012 |
| Group(s) | Warfalla |
| Headquarters | Bani Walid |
| Active regions | Libya |
| Ideology | Gaddafi loyalism |
| Allies |  Libyan Arab Jamahiriya |
| Opponents |  Anti-Gaddafi forces |
| Battles and wars | Post-civil war violence in Libya |
The brigade was named after the 1993 attempted coup against Gaddafi by members of the Warfalla tribe. Salem al-Ouaer, a member of the Warfalla tribe who sided with Gaddafi during the coup, was believed to head the militia.
In January 2012, the brigade was involved in an insurgency in Bani Walid. In 25 January, their unexpected uprising led to the retreat of NTC forces from Bani Walid.[3]
Weapons and equipment
editThe brigade was said to possess heavy weapons, including 106 mm anti-tank guns.[4]
When the brigade took over the May 28 Brigade base, they took heavy equipment, most notably tanks.[5] In a video filmed after the takeover of the base by AFP, at least 4 tanks and a Grad rocket launcher were seen among the equipment captured by the militia.[6]
References
edit- ^ Al-Shaheibi, Rami; Michael, Maggie (24 January 2012). "Libya: Gaddafi Loyalists Seize Bani Walid". Huffington Post. Benghazi. Associated Press. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- ^ "Qaddafi loyalists take over Bani Walid". CBS News. Benghazi. Associated Press. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- ^ "Gaddafi Loyalists kick the NTC out of Bani Walid".
- ^ "Fighting erupts in Libya's Bani Walid". Al Jazeera. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ Holmes, Oliver; Zargoun, Taha (27 January 2012). "INTERVIEW-Libyan commander says will retake Bani Walid". Reuters Africa. Sadada. Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ "Libye: Bani Walid, ville nostalgique de Kadhafi". AFP (in French). 27 January 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.