Starting on December 2010 with Tunisia, protesters took to the street across Arab world claiming ejection of irremovable leaderships. Some dictators fought back in full scale refusing to go down easy. Scenes from Tunisia, Egypt and Libya in 2011.
Giant demonstration in Cairo against Egypt President Mubarak in Tahrir Square. 01 february 2011.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army. On a Tripoli street corner, a hanging human silhouette tells a warning "to show Gaddafi's forces that their destiny is to be hanged, justifying for the crimes they have, being doing against civilians" as a rebel fighter described it. 26 May 2011.
Protester dazed by tear gas is helped out of Mohamed Mahmoud street near Tahrir Square during stand off and clashes with riot police on November 22, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army. Following an attack on Tawergha, fighters from Misrata cornered two Gaddafi's soldiers during a house to house search. After a short stand off, grenades were ultimately thrown killing the two loyalists as one seen here pulled away. Later in the day, they withdraw from Tawargha in fear of being encircled by superior forces. One of the two killed soldiers is dragged away. 16 May 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians demonstrators gather on Tahir Square in Cairo to claim removal of president Mubarak.
Protesters react at Mubarak speech after he announced he will not run again in the coming election and not stepping down. 01 February 2011.
Uprised Misrata under siege by Gaddafi's forces during Libyan uprising. Driving to the front line, hand grenade at reach. 23 May 2011.
After capturing the city three days ago, rebels say they control most of Tripoli, but face pockets of resistance from regime loyalists in Abu Salim district where Gaddafi's fighters holed up. One captured suspect is roughed up by rebels at the back of an ambulance. 25 August 2011.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army. Outside the emergency room, two rebel fighters wait for news about their wounded comrade that was hurried in Misrata's Al Hekma clinic, one of the few working hospitals left in the city. 26 May 2011.
Tunisia's Ras Jedir main border crossing with Libya is overwhelmed by thousands of workers fleeing Libyan unrest and faces a humanitarian crisis. Seen from Tunisia's side, crowd of Egyptians waiting on the Libyan side of the border. 01 March 2011.
While not all of Tripoli is under their control, rebels fighters fire at Gaddafi's snipers holed up near Bab Al-Azizya compound. The rebels entered the city on the previous evening, facing little resistance from Gaddafi's loyalists. 22 August 2011.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army. Misrata residents survey what remains of Gadhafi's army tanks that were destroyed by NATO air strikes. These three tanks were hiding under a food market building as the bombs pierced the concrete roof before smashing them. 12 May 2011.
Violent clashes between pro and anti Mubarak in Cairo. Anti Egyptian president demonstrators repel Mubarak's supporters after they pushed aggressively inside Tahrir Square, the center of anti-government demonstrations, hurling stones at each others. 02 February 2011.
Protesters stand by on Mohamed Mahmoud street near Tahrir Square during stand off with riot police on November 24, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army. Anti-Gaddafi graffiti inside a deserted school in Misrata, 12 May 2011.
Thousands of Egyptians demonstrators gather on Tahir Square in Cairo to claim removal of president Hosni Mubarak. Protesters surround day and night army tanks as they wish they don't leave but stay on the square for protection.
09 February 2011.
Ahead of Al Dafniya front lines, 25 km west of Misrata, Libyan rebel fighters stand by with mixed feelings as few mortar rounds fall around. Uprised Misrata under siege by Gaddafi's forces during Libyan revolution. 31 May 2011.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army.
At a field hospital staged behind Al Dafnyah front line, where wounded fighters are stabilized before evacuation to a city hospital, on 31 May 2011.
Tunisia's Ras Jedir main border crossing with Libya is overwhelmed by thousands of people fleeing unrest, many of them Egyptians, and faces a humanitarian crisis.
Seen from Tunisia's side, thousand of Egyptians waiting on the Libyan side of the border. 01 March 2011.
Violent clashes between pro and anti Mubarak in Cairo. Anti-Egyptian president demonstrators repel Egyptian President Mubarak's supporters as they pushed aggressively inside Tahrir Square, the center of anti-government demonstrations, hurling stones at each others. 02 February 2011.
Rebels say they control most of Tripoli, but they faced pockets of fierce resistance from regime's loyalists in Abu Salim district where Gaddafi's snipers were shooting back. 25 August 2011.
Libyan rebels forcefully take control of Tripoli's Abu Salim district where Gaddafi's loyalists were holed up. 26 August 2011.
Rebel Libyans launch an assault against Bab Al Azizyia, Gaddafi's fortified compound in Tripoli. Fierce gunfire and shelling during rebel's advance toward the main gate through Al Jala'a avenue. 23 August 2011.
Victorious rebels fighters enter Libyan capital Tripoli without facing heavy resistance from Gaddafi's loyalists. Welcoming ambiance of celebration on Mokthar avenue in late evening as the rebel fighters drive trough. 22 August 2011.
Rebel Libyan fighters launch an assault against Bab Al Azizyia, Gaddafi's fortified compound in Tripoli. Fierce gunfire and shelling during rebel's advance toward the main gate on Al Jala'a street. 23 August 2011.
Libyan rebel fighter wearing a makeshift face mask prepares to fire a rocket in Al Dafniyah front line, west of Misrata. Coastal city of Misrata is under siege by Gaddafi's forces since it's uprising against the Libyan leader. 30 May 2011.
Evening prayer as thousands of Egyptians demonstrators gather on Tahir Square in Cairo to claim removal of president Hosni Mubarak. Protesters surround army tanks as they wish they don't leave but stay on the square for protection. 09 February 2011.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army. Outside a civilian building converted to a weapon factory, a worker cuts out a steel plate to armour a technical vehicle. Metal workshops in Misrata keep up a sustained activity as the rebels weapons factory. Outgunned in fire power by loyalist forces, rebels rely on captured guns to defend the city. 21 May 2011.
Tunisia's Ras Jedir main border crossing with Libya is overwhelmed by thousands of workers fleeing Libyan unrest and faces a humanitarian crisis. Seen from Tunisia's side, crowd of Egyptians waiting on the Libyan side of the border. 01 March 2011.
At a field hospital close to Al Dafniya front line, doctors desperately try to rescucitate Osama Fathi Ashor. Suffering from numerous wounds by a shell explosion, the 30 years old rebel fighter died minutes after being admitted breathing and conscious.
Coastal city of Misrata is under siege by Gaddafi's forces since it's uprising against the Libyan leader. 31 May 2011.
Relatives mourning in a cemetery after the burial a fighter who died this day on the frontline. Misrata.
Coastal city of Misrata is under siege by Gaddafi's forces since it's uprising against the Libyan leader.
06 June 2011.
After crossing border from uprised Libya, migrants workers arrive in an UNHCR transit camp in Choucha, 7 km from Tunisia's Ras Jdir border station. They will be hold in this camp waiting for repatriation to their home countries. 28 February 2011.
On a square in downtown Misrata, residents survey an exhibition of captured tanks and various weapons from Gaddafi's army. Coastal city of Misrata is under siege by Gaddafi's forces since it's uprising against the Libyan leader. 10 June 2011.
Dead Gaddafi's soldiers are anonymously buried under full muslim traditions at a new dedicated cemetery located in a discreet area of besieged Misrata. On May 26th 2011, 540 bodies have been recovered and buried between dunes since the heavy fighting from last March. Every day newly found bodies, sometimes in advanced condition of decay are brought in for burial. As no fallen rebels fighters share this cemetery, the loyalist soldiers are buried anonymously under a number written on a piece of wood while their identity kept on record. Unidentified bodies are only marked with their retrieval date. Later, families would be allowed to recover the remains. Rebels take pride to correctly treating their dead tormentors they considered as misdirected brothers. When the body is deem in too bad shape, it's remains are placed in a body bag without the traditional white shroud. Coastal city of Misrata is under siege by Gaddafi's forces since it's uprising against the Libyan leader. 26 May 2011.
Libyan rebels launch an attack at Bab Al Aziziya, Gaddafi's headquarter in Tripoli. As firefight rages on between the rebels and loyalists, a Caterpillar opens a breach in the outer wall for the rebels to swarm the fortified compound. 23 August 2011.
Protester dazed by tear gas is helped out of Mohamed Mahmoud street near Tahrir Square during clashes with riot police on November 22, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt.
Two Gaddafi's soldiers were killed in this car in Al Dafniyah frontline near Misrata. Rebel fighters left the bodies inside and covered it. Coastal city of Misrata is under siege by Gaddafi's forces since it's uprising against the Libyan leader. 13 June 2011.
Tunisia's Ras Jedir main border crossing with Libya is overwhelmed by thousands of people fleeing unrest, many of them Egyptian workers, and faces a humanitarian crisis.
Seen from Tunisia's side, thousand of Egyptians waiting on the Libyan side of the border for custom processing. 01 March 2011.
Libyans rebels fight to liberate Zawiyah from Gaddafi's forces. Wounded rebels get first aids in a small clinic as Zawiyah main hospital is occupied by Gaddafi's troops who fires at anyone coming close.
Wounded are evacuate to the next available hospital in Zinten, 130 km from Zawiyah. 19 August 2011.
Violent clashes between pro and anti Mubarak in Cairo. Anti-Egyptian President demonstrators (bottom) repel Egyptian President Mubarak's supporters after they pushed aggressively inside Tahrir Square, the center of anti-government demonstrations, hurling stones at each others. 02 February 2011.
Libyans rebels fight to liberate uprised Zawiyah from Gaddafi's forces. Rebel fighters on the road near Zawyiah. 20 August 2011.
Victorious Libyan rebels from Misrata secure Tripoli's Abu Salim district. Rebels fighters comb the streets and search building for weapons or hidden loyalist snipers. 26 August 2011.
Libyan rebels attack Bab Al Azizyia, Gaddafi's residence in Tripoli. After the compound was overunned, fighters joined by civilians loot weapon depots inside the compound. 23 August 2011.
Libyan rebels fighters take control of Tripoli. The rebels entered the city on the previous evening, facing little resistance from Gaddafi's loyalists while sporadic clashes continue as rebels have yet to control all the capital. Carrying a coffin. 22 August 2011.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army. A makeshift armoured bulldozer used by Gaddafi's forces to clear roadblocks set up by rebel fighters during combat in Misrata. 21 May 2011.
Charred remains of Libyan air force fighter jets MiG-23 destroyed by a NATO strike on Misrata airport.
Uprised Misrata under siege by Gaddafi's forces during Libyan revolution. 28 May 2011.
Libyan rebel fighters stand guard at the Al Dafnyah frontline, west of Mistata. Uprised Misrata under siege by Gaddafi's forces during Libyan revolution. 30 May 2011.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army. Rebel fighters fire a 105 mm shell with a M40 rifle toward Gaddafi's forces from Al Dafnyah front line, west of Misrata. 02 June 2011.
Following an incursion on Tawergha, south of Misrata, rebel fighters cornered two Gaddafi's soldiers during a house to house search. After a short stand off, grenades were ultimately thrown killing the two loyalists. Rebels pushed into the outskirts of the small town, south east of Misrata, in an attempt to expand their controlled zone around the besieged city and keeping it out of range from Grad rockets. Later in the day, they withdraw out of Tawargha in fear of being encircled by superior forces. Uprised Misrata under siege by Gaddafi's forces during Libyan revolution. 16 May 2011.
Violent clashes between pro and anti Mubarak in Cairo. Anti-Egyptian president demonstrators repel Egyptian President Mubarak's supporters as they pushed aggressively inside Tahrir Square, the center of anti-government demonstrations, hurling stones at each others. 02 February 2011.
Libyan rebels attack Bab Al Azizyia, Gaddafi's headquarters compound in Tripoli. After a Caterpillar opened a breach in the outer wall and rammed the main gate, the rebel fighters swarm the compound. 23 August 2011.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army. Misrata's Tripoli street where in April 2011 rebels set up barricades of trucks and shipping containers loaded with sand to block Gadhafis tanks from roaming the streets. 26 May 2011.
As they reach the iconic building bombed by the USA in 1986, Libyan rebels celebrate after successfully storming Bab Al Azizyia, Gaddafi's residential compound in Tripoli. After a Caterpillar land mover opened a breach in the outer wall and rammed the main gate, the rebels swarmed the compound amid intense shooting. 23 August 2011.
Libyans rebels forcefully take control of Tripoli's Abu Salim district against holed up Gadhafi's loyalists. A dead man with ballistic wounds, undistinctly a loyalist or an anti Gaddafi. 25 August 2011.
The day after Libyan rebels stormed Bab Al Azizyia, Gaddafi's headquarters compound in Tripoli. Damaged reception hall inside the compound. 24 August 2011.
Libyan city of Misrata under siege by loyalist army. Ruined landscape of Tripoli street where in April 2011 fierce fighting opposed the uprised population of Misrata against the invading Gaddafi's army that was forced out of the city. 26 May 2011.
After crossing border from Libya, migrants workers arrive in an UNHCR transit camp in Choucha, walking 7 km from Tunisia's Ras Jdir border station. They will be held in this camp waiting for repatriation to their home countries. 03 March 2011.