TIME

LIBYA TURNS THE TIDE

Militias finally take on ISIS in the chaos of North Africa
A Libyan spotter identifies ISIS targets on the western front line in Sirt

IN FEBRUARY 2011, THE PEOPLE OF Libya responded to a wave of revolt spreading through the Arab world. After Tunisians and Egyptians forced their own autocratic leaders from power, Libyans marched to the streets to take on Muammar Gaddafi, the brutal dictator who had ruled Libya for decades. The regime responded with force, and revolution quickly turned to civil war. With the help of NATO airpower, Libya’s rebels were able to topple Gaddafi, who was killed in October 2011—allowing Libya

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