Suleiman Mahmoud
Encyclopedia
Suleiman Mahmoud al-Obeidi (Arabic
: سليمان محمود العبيدي) is a senior military officer in Libya
. He was formerly a commander in Muammar Gaddafi
's army. He was commander of the Tobruk
Military Region. He was amongst the first of the army hierarchy to support the 2011 Libyan civil war
. Around half of the estimated 6,000 troops who have joined the rebels
took their orders from General Mahmoud prior to the 28 July 2011 assassination of General Abdul Fatah Younis
, the top commander of the National Liberation Army. The Associated Press
reported the next day that Mahmoud succeeded Younis as army commander.
Mahmoud moved his headquarters to Tripoli
after the success of Operation Mermaid Dawn
. As of early September 2011, he reportedly maintains a separate force from Abdelhakim Belhadj
, the head of the Tripoli Military Council, though the two men are ostensibly working to integrate the anti-Gaddafi forces
in western Libya into a cohesive military under the aegis of the National Transitional Council
.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
: سليمان محمود العبيدي) is a senior military officer in Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
. He was formerly a commander in Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
's army. He was commander of the Tobruk
Tobruk
Tobruk or Tubruq is a city, seaport, and peninsula on Libya's eastern Mediterranean coast, near the border with Egypt. It is the capital of the Butnan District and has a population of 120,000 ....
Military Region. He was amongst the first of the army hierarchy to support the 2011 Libyan civil war
2011 Libyan civil war
The 2011 Libyan civil war was an armed conflict in the North African state of Libya, fought between forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and those seeking to oust his government. The war was preceded by protests in Benghazi beginning on 15 February 2011, which led to clashes with security...
. Around half of the estimated 6,000 troops who have joined the rebels
Anti-Gaddafi forces
The anti-Gaddafi forces were Libyan groups that opposed and militarily defeated the government of Muammar Gaddafi, killing him in the process. These opposition forces included organised and armed militia groups, participants in the 2011 Libyan civil war, Libyan diplomats who switched their...
took their orders from General Mahmoud prior to the 28 July 2011 assassination of General Abdul Fatah Younis
Abdul Fatah Younis
Abdul Fatah Younis , sometimes transliterated Fattah Younis or Fattah Younes or Fatah Younes, was a senior military officer in Libya. He held the rank of Major General and the post of Minister of Interior, but resigned on 22 February 2011 to defect to the rebel side in what was to become the 2011...
, the top commander of the National Liberation Army. The Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
reported the next day that Mahmoud succeeded Younis as army commander.
Mahmoud moved his headquarters to Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
after the success of Operation Mermaid Dawn
Battle of Tripoli (2011)
The Battle of Tripoli was a military confrontation in Tripoli, Libya, between loyalists of Muammar Gaddafi, the longtime leader of Libya, and the National Transitional Council, which was attempting to overthrow Gaddafi and take control of the capital...
. As of early September 2011, he reportedly maintains a separate force from Abdelhakim Belhadj
Abdelhakim Belhadj
Abdelhakim Belhadj is the emir of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, and a commander of the anti-Gaddafi forces in the 2011 Libyan civil war.- Early life :...
, the head of the Tripoli Military Council, though the two men are ostensibly working to integrate the anti-Gaddafi forces
Anti-Gaddafi forces
The anti-Gaddafi forces were Libyan groups that opposed and militarily defeated the government of Muammar Gaddafi, killing him in the process. These opposition forces included organised and armed militia groups, participants in the 2011 Libyan civil war, Libyan diplomats who switched their...
in western Libya into a cohesive military under the aegis of the National Transitional Council
National Transitional Council
The National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
.