Sirte is a city located in the Surt region of Libya. Geographically, it is situated south of the Gulf of Sirte and lies approximately halfway between the cities of Tripoli and Benghazi.
The settlement was established by the Italians in the early 20th century on the site of a 19th-century Ottoman fortress. It expanded into a city following World War II. During the First Libyan Civil War, Sirte served as the temporary capital of Libya from September 1 to October 20, 2011, after Tripoli fell.
The city is historically noted for its various ethnic groups and its loyalty to former Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi. It has also been a site of significant battles throughout its history.