- published: 15 Aug 2016
- views: 650
Sirte (/ˈsɜːrt/; Arabic: سرت, pronunciation ; from Ancient Greek: Σύρτις), also spelled Sirt, Surt, Sert or Syrte, is a city in Libya. It is on the south coast of the Gulf of Sidra (ancient Syrtis Major, from which Sirte's name is derived). Sirte lies halfway between Tripoli and Benghazi. The settlement was established in the early 20th century by the Italians, at the site of a 19th-century fortress built by the Ottomans. It grew into a city after World War II.
As the birthplace of Muammar Gaddafi, Sirte was favoured by the Gaddafi government. The city was the final major stronghold of Gaddafi loyalists in the Libyan Civil War and Gaddafi was killed there by rebel forces on 20 October 2011. During the battle, Sirte was left almost completely in ruins, with many buildings totally destroyed or damaged. Six months after the civil war, almost 60,000 inhabitants, more than 70 percent of pre-war population, had returned.
As of 16 February 2015, the terrorist organization Daesh controls the city.
Tripoli-backed forces continue battle for Sirte, Libya
Libya combat action footage: Fighting ISIS in Sirte
Anti-IS forces seize more ground in Libya's Sirte
Libya: Key IS base captured by Tripoli-government backed forces in Sirte
Libya: Battle for Sirte continues as Tripoli-backed forces claim 70% control
Libya Air Force Dassault Mirage F1 targets ISIS positions in Sirte
Libya: IS losing control of Sirte as fighting rages on - reports
Isis fighting for Sirte
Libyan Sirte becomes new ISIS stronghold with direct sea route to Europe
Fuerzas libias arrebatan Sirte del control de Daesh
The maiden sitting by her pool
Was first to hear my pleas
As she looked into the water
She recited these words to me:
Walk not down that road
I can not tell you where it goes
Ask me no more questions
Some things you weren't meant to know
The mother toiling in the fields
Her apron full of seeds
As she dropped them to the earth
She recited these words to me:
Walk not down that road
I can not tell you where it goes
Ask me no more questions
Some things you weren't meant to know
The greater mysteries
Cannot be shown
Divided by three
The are the maiden, the mother, the crone
Finally I found the crone
Walking through the trees
She looked in my eyes
As she recited these words to me:
Go before the maiden
Get down on your knees
Should you win her favor
She may tell you what she sees
The harvest is reaped
Seeds are shown
Multiplied by three