Country Libya District Jabal al Gharbi Population 16,024 (2011) | Region Tripolitania Time zone EET (UTC+2) | |
Zintan (Arabic: الزنتان, Amazigh: Tigharmin, meaning "small castles") is one of the biggest cities in north western Libya, situated roughly 136 kilometres (85 mi) southwest of Tripoli, in the area. The city and its surrounding area has a population of approximately 50,000.
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Map of Alzintan, Libya
Libyan Civil War 2011
Groups from Zintan joined in the Libyan Civil War (2011). The Battle of Zintan reportedly began when the Gaddafi-led government forces arrived to recruit 1,000 soldiers. Insulted by the proposal to fight fellow Libyans, a group formed in Zintan to protest. As the group grew, pro-Gaddafi forces attacked but local groups counterattacked with seized weapons, "rout[ing]" a large, heavily armed government convoy on 19–20 March.
The Zintan people were responsible for the capture of Saif al-Islam, the second son of Muammar Gaddafi. He was captured on 19 November 2011, a month after his father's death, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of the town of Ubari near Sabha in southern Libya.