The Maaten al-Sarra Air Base is an airbase in southernmost Libya located near the Ma'tan as-Sarra oasis in the Kufra district.

[5] During the final phase of the Chadian-Libyan conflict, Maaten al-Sarra was the main air base in Southern Libya,[6] having three modern runways and parking space for over 100 combat aircraft.

The Chadian command decided that before renewing the offensive against the Aouzou Strip, it was vital to deal with the threat represented by the Libyan Air Force, and thus planned a surprise attack on Maaten al-Sarra, 60 miles north of the Chadian–Libyan border.

The attack, which took place on 5 September, was one of the most significant Chadian victories in the conflict, with 1,700 Libyans killed and 300 taken prisoner.

[8] The Chadian victory, because of Libyan demoralization at home and international hostility, brought an agreed ceasefire on 11 September that put an end to the war.