2012 Bani Walid uprising

2012 Bani Walid uprising
Part of the Factional violence in Libya (2011–2014)
Date 23–25 January 2012 (2 days) Location Bani Walid, Libya Result Brigade 93 Tactical victory Brigade 93 takes control of the city May 28 Brigade withdraws from the city to Tripoli NTC local council abolished and Warfalla tribal council established, which is then recognized by the NTC as the new official city council Continuing lawlessness leads to the Siege of Bani Walid (2012) by the NTC Army and the city being reoccupied by the government by November 2012.
Belligerents
National Liberation Army May 28 Brigade	Brigade 93[1][2] Warfalla tribe
Commanders and leaders
Abdullah al-Khazmi Ali al-Fotmani Abdelsalem Saed Ouhida †	Colonel Salem al-Ouaer
Strength
5,000~	100-300 Warfalla aligned fighters[3]
Casualties and losses
5-8 killed, 25-30 wounded[4][5]	None

The 2012 Bani Walid uprising was an event which started on 23 January 2012 due to an incident in the city of Bani Walid in which the "May 28 Brigade" militia wished to arrest local men in unclear circumstances. The May 28 Brigade and their compound were then attacked by local fighters who then took control of the town.^[3] The incident, the combatants, and the motives of the two main belligerents — the May 28 Brigade and Brigade 93 — remain uncertain and contentious. The conflict was originally reported to be an attack by Gaddafi loyalists by local NTC officials. However, tribal leaders and residents have denied any affiliation with Gaddafi's remnants, stating their goal was the establishment of their own council in the city.^[6][7] Similarly Britain's Foreign Office has dismissed claims of this incident representing a pro-Gaddafi attack against the NTC, stating that this was a dispute between tribal leaders of the Warfalla tribe and the NTC.^[8]

The Libyan government subsequently engaged in negotiations to re-establish normal relations with Bani Walid while maintaining a siege on the town, including a presidential visit to the town. Walid Ben Shaaban, a Libyan militia leader has stated "we will take revenge militarily but legitimately", referring to the security issues emanating from Bani Walid.^[9] In October, more troops were sent to Bani Walid, with an aim of re-establishing control of the city by military means. Intense shelling of the town started on 18 October.^[10]