LIBYA: Many residents have left the Libyan town of Ajdabiyah, most shops are closed and supplies are hard to find

Record ID: 1531516

  • Title: LIBYA: Many residents have left the Libyan town of Ajdabiyah, most shops are closed and supplies are hard to find
  • Date: 2nd April 2011
  • Summary: AJDABIYAH, LIBYA (APRIL 1, 2011) (REUTERS) TANK IN EMPTY STREET CAR PASSING BY DESTROYED TANK DESERTED BUILDINGS EMPTY BLACK PLASTIC BAG FLYING OVER STREET VARIOUS OF DESERTED STREET, SHOPS WITH CLOSED SHUTTERS LOCK ON DOOR WINDOW WITH TWO BULLETS HOLES VARIOUS OF RESIDENT JUNES HANNA WALKING AROUND INSIDE DESTROYED HOUSE, SHOWING HOLE IN CEILING DAMAGED BOOKS ON THE TABLE VARIOUS OF MEN SITTING ON PAVEMENT, TWO MEN WALKING PAST VARIOUS OF MAN TRYING BELONGINGS TO ROOF OF CAR (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEMNDAN ABDEL RAHMAN FROM SUDAN, SAYING: "All the work stopped here, we are all starving. We want to go back to our homelands. All people left this city young and old. We can't stay here, we are afraid." (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SALEM IBRAHIM FROM SUDAN, SAYING: "We were working in this city but now there is no hope, no food. It's all demolished, we can't stay and we have problems going back." CAR DRIVING OFF WITH PERSONAL BELONGINGS ON THE ROOF REBELS LEADING BLACK MAN AWAY CROWD SURROUNDING BLACK MEN, SHOUTING ARMED MEN DRIVING AROUND ON THE BACK OF PICK-UP MEN STANDING ON ROAD
  • Embargoed: 16th April 2011 22:28
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: War / Fighting
  • Reuters ID: LVA3MYX3634GNZXV7GKVIXKN82PR
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: The city of Ajdabiyah has become largely deserted following the latest retreat of Libyan rebels from Ras Lanuf two days ago.
    The town, about 160 kilometres (100 miles) southwest of Benghazi, is almost a ghost town with battle scars all over. It was nearly impossible to see a living person or an open shop on Friday (April 1).
    Most shops are closed and supplies are limited.
    Ajdabiyah resident Junes Hanna showed a TV crew what happened to his neighbour. An artillery shell landed on his house, killing the entire family of five.
    Only one cafe remained open in the town, with older people the only patrons. The empty streets were patrolled by rebels who were trying to prevent looting.
    Some of the last remaining residents of Ajdabiyah were leaving the town on Friday, hoping to find refuge elsewhere.
    A Sudanese family was packing their belongings to head east.
    "All the work stopped here, we are all starving. We want to go back to our homelands. All people left this city young and old. We can't stay here, we are afraid," said Hemndan Abdel Rahman from Sudan.
    "We were working in this city but now there is no hope, no food. It's all demolished, we can't stay and we have problems going back," added Salem Ibrahim.
    However, for black Africans it was very difficult to leave the city because of allegations that many of them serve as mercenaries in Gaddafi's military.
    Three young men were unlucky - while fleeing the city they were arrested by the rebels and taken for questioning.
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