Sidra, Libya Explained

Official Name:Sidra
Native Name:السدرة
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:Libya
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Libya
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Libya
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Tripolitania
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Sirte
Unit Pref:metric
Population As Of:1995
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:9,186
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Population Blank2 Title:Religions
Timezone:EET
Utc Offset:+2
Coordinates:30.6294°N 18.3503°W
Elevation Footnotes:[2]
Elevation M:10

Sidra or Sidr (Arabic: السدرة) is a port about 23 km west of Ra's Lanuf in Libya. It is Libya's largest oil depot, shipping about 447000oilbbl/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.

In June 2018, militiamen led by Ibrahim Jadhran seized the port from the Libyan National Army. The LNA recaptured the port on 21 June.[4]

In January 2020, the National Oil Corporation declared force majuere over oil loadings at the port after a blockade was imposed by tribes affiliated with the Libyan National Army of Khalifa Haftar.[5]

In July 2020, the National Oil Corporation reported that Wagner Group, Janjaweed and Syrian mercenaries were present at the port.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Amraja M. el Khajkhaj, "Noumou al Mudon as Sagheera fi Libia", Dar as Saqia, Benghazi-2008, p.111.
  2. Web site: Marina: Ras Es Sider (Sirte, Baladiyat Surt). Port Booker. 10 March 2011.
  3. News: Oil groups seek Libyan rebels’ assurances. Javier Blas and David Blair. Financial Times. 1 March 2011.
  4. Web site: 2018-08-09. After the Showdown in Libya’s Oil Crescent. 2020-10-01. Crisis Group. en.
  5. Web site: المؤسسة الوطنية للنفط - Port blockade public information notice - 20 January 2020. 2020-10-01. noc.ly.
  6. Web site: المؤسسة الوطنية للنفط - NOC deeply concerned at potential for military escalation, deployment of foreign mercenaries at oil installations. 2020-10-01. noc.ly.