Wadi al-Kuf, west of Al-Bayda, was scene in 1927 of some of the most bitter and defining battles between the Libyan resistance and Italian forces. The cliffs are pockmarked with caves, where the resistance retreated after each ambush to hide from the retaliatory bombardments of the Italians. An iron bridge, built by the Italian army in attempts to ferry troops and supplies through the valley, marks the spot where forces of Omar al-Mukhtar halted albeit temporarily the southwards march of the Italian Army. Omar al-mukhtar was captured in September 1931 and hanged in the Suluq concentration camp.
