1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

In February 2011, the Arab Spring spreads to Libya. For over forty years, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has ruled the country with an iron fist and kept the oil rich country’s wealth to himself and a narrow elite. Following uprisings in the cities of Tobruk and Benghazi a bloody struggle against the regime begins. Shortly after, an international coalition lead by NATO decides to intervene to protect the civilian population from violence caused by pro-Gaddafi troops. The revolution comes to an end in early October when Gaddafi is captured and killed close to his hometown Sirte.

***

After a week-long siege, the strategically important town Ajdabiya finally falls on 26 March 2011, when French aircrafts bombs the Gaddafi-loyalist troops. For the first time in weeks, those who haven’t already fled the town, can go outside their houses. A local man thanks God for the victory while he is standing on top of a burning tank.