By 2011 in Benghazi, a group of people began a “hopeful pro-democracy uprising,” which later became the National Transitional Council, echoing protests in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen around the same time (Kamat, 2011). The rebels’ aim was to secure freedom of expression and other democratic aims, and the “17 February revolution” became an armed revolt across Libya after just four days of protests, after they became violent over Gaddafi forces’ excessive use of force (Kamat). Rebels’ organizing used elements of social media, as Libyan youth used Facebook to call for protests, calling on families of the approximately 1,200 prisoners killed in Abu Salim in 1996 to support a “Day of Rage” (Kamat).

The rebels sought international recognition, with some requesting specifically that there would be no foreign interference, instead asking for “meaningful ways to support their struggle” (Kamat). The United Nations complied, and a no-fly zone was instituted. However, with it, the Security Council also authorized “all necessary measures” to protect civilians (Terry, 2015). This led to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) use of force by the United Kingdom, the United States and France. By the end of the uprising, NATO flew approximately 9,700 strike ‘sorties.’

In 2012, the U.S. State Department released its annual report on Libya, addressing the end of the civil war and Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.. The report cites violent outbreaks in the country and general government and judiciary instability and the “militia-dominated security environment” in Libya leading up to the 2012 Benghazi attack (Human Rights Report, 2012). Not only were there groups hostile to foreigners after the uprising, but there were many reported instances of discrimination and harassment for minorities, and racial discrimination in Libya, for example kidnappings, torture, imprisonment and other human rights abuses. By 2012 in the post-revolution process, Libya was not yet peacemaking.