20th century
South of Derna, Cyrenaica, Libya
The Battle of Yawm al-Djumaʿ was a major Libyan victory over Italian forces south of Derna on 16 May 1913. It followed the Ottoman withdrawal from Libya and became the first large-scale encounter between Arab Libyan forces and Italy after that withdrawal. The battle strengthened the political significance of Sanusi leadership in Cyrenaica.
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The Story
The peace settlement between Turkey and Italy left Libyan communities divided over whether to negotiate or continue armed resistance. In Cyrenaica, forces associated with Ahmad al-Sharif represented the camp willing to negotiate, but the end of Ottoman military involvement also opened a struggle over who would exercise authority in Libya. Italy moved quickly to test the strength of the remaining indigenous forces.
The Italian army launched an attack against Ahmad al-Sharif’s forces south of Derna. On 16 May 1913, the Libyan forces defeated the attackers at Yawm al-Djumaʿ. The defeat was described as stunning, marking an important reversal for Italy during the period immediately following the Turkish withdrawal.
The battle carried significance beyond its immediate military result. It was identified as the first large-scale encounter between Arab Libyans and Italians after Ottoman forces had withdrawn. Its outcome helped create the conditions in which Ahmad al-Sharif proclaimed the Sanusi Government on the basis of the Ottoman decree recognizing Libyan independence.
20th century
South of Derna, Cyrenaica, Libya
The Battle of Yawm al-Djumaʿ was a major Libyan victory over Italian forces south of Derna on 16 May 1913. It followed the Ottoman withdrawal from Libya and became the first large-scale encounter between Arab Libyan forces and Italy after that withdrawal. The battle strengthened the political significance of Sanusi leadership in Cyrenaica.
Continue exploring
The Story
The peace settlement between Turkey and Italy left Libyan communities divided over whether to negotiate or continue armed resistance. In Cyrenaica, forces associated with Ahmad al-Sharif represented the camp willing to negotiate, but the end of Ottoman military involvement also opened a struggle over who would exercise authority in Libya. Italy moved quickly to test the strength of the remaining indigenous forces.
The Italian army launched an attack against Ahmad al-Sharif’s forces south of Derna. On 16 May 1913, the Libyan forces defeated the attackers at Yawm al-Djumaʿ. The defeat was described as stunning, marking an important reversal for Italy during the period immediately following the Turkish withdrawal.
The battle carried significance beyond its immediate military result. It was identified as the first large-scale encounter between Arab Libyans and Italians after Ottoman forces had withdrawn. Its outcome helped create the conditions in which Ahmad al-Sharif proclaimed the Sanusi Government on the basis of the Ottoman decree recognizing Libyan independence.
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