Surman | |
Native Name: | Arabic: صرمان |
Nickname: | Mother of Spring أم الربيع |
Settlement Type: | City |
Pushpin Map: | Libya |
Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Libya |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Libya |
Government Type: | Municipality |
Leader Title: | Mayor |
Leader Name: | Abdul Majid Abu Nteasha |
Unit Pref: | Imperial |
Area Total Km2: | 1481 |
Population As Of: | 2023 |
Population Total: | 100,000 |
Timezone: | EET[1] |
Utc Offset: | +2 |
Coordinates: | 32.7567°N 12.5717°W |
Elevation M: | 10 |
Area Code: | 462 |
Registration Plate Type: | License Plate Code |
Registration Plate: | 47 |
Population Demonym: | Surmani |
Founder: | Berbers |
Surman (ˈsɝːmən; also spelled Sorman or Serman; Arabic: ''' صرمان ''' | ''' ṣurmān ''';) is a city in the former Tripolitania region in northwestern Libya, situated 60km (40miles) to the west of Tripoli on the Mediterranean coast. With a population of about 100,000 inhabitants, it is the third most populous city in the west coast region (west of Tripoli). The city has earned its place as one of the biggest hotspots of Libya in many trade areas.
On 20 June 2011, during the first Libyan Civil War, NATO strikes in Sorman against what appeared to be civilian homes in a compound belonging to one of Muammar Gaddafi's associates, Khaled K. El-Hamedi, reportedly killed several civilians, including two children and their mother.[2] NATO admitted carrying out an air strike on a military target in Sorman but denied civilian deaths. NATO issued a statement that said a precision air strike was launched against a "high-level" command and control "node" in the Sorman area.[3]
On 14 August, the National Liberation Army said it had captured the city in battle during the major coastal offensive.[4] 10 rebel fighters were killed and at least 40 pro-Gaddafi fighters were captured during the battle for the town.[5]
In March 2016, during the second civil war, it was reported that two Italians who had been kidnapped in June 2015 were killed while they were used as human shields by Islamic State gunmen in Sorman.[6]