Sidra, Libya

Sidra
السدرة
Town
Sidra
Location in Libya
Coordinates: 30°37′46″N 18°21′01″E / 30.62944°N 18.35028°E / 30.62944; 18.35028Coordinates: 30°37′46″N 18°21′01″E / 30.62944°N 18.35028°E / 30.62944; 18.35028
Country  Libya
Region Tripolitania
District Sirte
Elevation[1] 10 m (30 ft)
Population (1995)[2]
 • Total 9,186
Time zone UTC+2 (EET)

Sidra or Sidr (Arabic: السدر‎) is a port about 23 km west of Ra's Lanuf in Libya. It is Libya's largest oil depot, shipping about 447,000 barrels per day (71,100 m3/d),[3] and during the Cold War gave its name to the 'Gulf of Sidra', an alternative name for the Gulf of Sirte. Sidra Airport is directly next to the port.

History

This oil port increased in importance as Libya's economy developed in the last quarter of the 20th century.

Libyan Civil War

During the Libyan Civil War, forces under the leadership of the National Transitional Council captured the port of Sidra at the beginning of March 2011. Pro-Gaddafi forces tried to retake the port from the anti-Gaddafi forces some days later.

Second Libyan Civil War

During the Second Libyan Civil War, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's Libyan branch launched an attempt to seize the port in January 2016. At least one oil storage tank was set ablaze by a long-range rocket.

Libyan militias are launching attacks to take control of the city as fight intensifies with Tripoli-based government forces. The government forces are fighting back.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Marina: Ras Es Sider (Sirte, Baladiyat Surt)". Port Booker. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  2. ↑ Amraja M. el Khajkhaj, "Noumou al Mudon as Sagheera fi Libia", Dar as Saqia, Benghazi-2008, p.111.
  3. ↑ Javier Blas and David Blair (1 March 2011). "Oil groups seek Libyan rebels' assurances". Financial Times.
  4. ↑ "Libya militias battle for control of oil ports".
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