LIBYA

Rebel fighters are shown howto use an anti-aircraft gun during training held at a secondary school in Benghazi, Libya, on March 1, © 2011 Ed Ou/The New York Times/Redux

Libya Libya, one of several nations to fall into civil war during the Arab Spring, continues to see violence and destruction of its people, infrastructure and education. In 2011… Rebels used a school courtyard for renovating weapons and weapons training. Schools were converted into improvised detention centers. One news report noted that Tajura Primary School became a prison for several hundred combatants who fought in support of the Gaddafi government - home to nearly 300 inmates. They include 14- and 15-year-old boys. Anti-Gaddafi forces conducted training in schools. Journalists documented at least one instance of rebel leaders using a secondary school to instruct soldiers in the use of anti-aircraft guns. 27 attacks on schools were documented, in particular in Zlitan, Ajdabiya, Misrata, Nalut, Zinten and Sirte. A majority of these cases were attributed to former Government forces and opposition forces and brigades. One case was attributed to NATO. These attacks included shootings shelling, airstrikes, improvised explosive devices, looting of medical supplies and the use of facilities by the military. Testimony: “Many stayed behind to gather at makeshift training camps in schools and burned-out barracks… We can give them what they need: training in assault, in defending a position. They should know that we are here to protect the youth revolution.” - Marai Lojeli, a rebel colonel in his 50s said on a scrubby rain-soaked school field near a busy road in central Benghazi, Colonel Musa Fitouri explained the workings of an anti-aircraft cannon to a dozen fresh recruits.

Libya Resources Report: Lessons in War: Military Use of Schools and Other Education Institutions During ConflictLessons in War: Military Use of Schools and Other Education Institutions During Conflict HRW Article: Disarming schools: strategies for ending the military use of schools during armed conflictDisarming schools: strategies for ending the military use of schools during armed conflict News Article: Evidence Emerges of Gaddafi’s Bloody Revenge in Final Hours of WarEvidence Emerges of Gaddafi’s Bloody Revenge in Final Hours of War News Article: Libya rebel army says training before Tripoli pushLibya rebel army says training before Tripoli push