LIBYA: Rebels say a misdirected NATO airstrike could have injured at least 16 of their fighters near Ajdabiyah

Record ID: 339401

  • Title: LIBYA: Rebels say a misdirected NATO airstrike could have injured at least 16 of their fighters near Ajdabiyah
  • Date: 17th June 2011
  • Summary: BENGHAZI, LIBYA: (JUNE 16, 2011) (REUTERS) MAN HOLDS REBEL-FLAG NEARBY THE COURTHOUSE OF BENGHAZI VEHICLES IN BENGHAZI CITY (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LIBYAN CITIZEN, MOSTAFA AL-EREBY, SAYING: "Mistakes in war are expected to happen, it is not a big problem, mistakes must happen, it is out of our control but we hope that NATO intensifies its air strikes to get-rid of that tyr
  • Embargoed: 2nd July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA5LMXPTGVH8DIQFTESE2N6OHXC
  • Story Text: Libyan rebels say a NATO airstrike was the most probable cause for an incident where at least 16 rebel fighters were injured near to the village of Amreer Gabes on Thursday evening (June 16), 30 km (18 miles) northwest of Ajdabiyah.
    The head of rebel-media centre in Ajdabiyah, Farag al-Moghraby, said that most probably a NATO airstrike mistakenly hit the location, but that the cause was being investigated.
    The eastern frontline between rebel forces and troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has remained largely static between Ajdabiyah, held by the rebels and a gateway to their stronghold in Benghazi, and the oil port of Brega, held by Gaddafi troops.
    On the streets of Benghazi residents, who spoke to Reuters, put it down to a mistake in war.
    "Mistakes in war are expected to happen, it is not a big problem, mistakes must happen, it is out of our control but we hope that NATO intensifies its air strikes to get-rid of that tyrant (Gaddafi)," said Mostafa al-Ereby.
    "We are sacrificing our lives for NATO, the most important is that NATO for sure will kill that tyrant. I would have been delighted it NATO had hit me with an airstrike if it brought happiness to Libyans," Mohamed Abdelah said.
    There is fear elsewhere among rebel fighters that they will be mistaken for Gaddafi forces by NATO warplanes: west of their stronghold of Misrata, where they are inching towards Zlitan, some 160km (100 miles) from Tripoli, they have relinquished some positions for feat that NATO jets flying at 15,000 feet will mistake them for pro-Gaddafi forces.
    NATO air power, led by Britain and France has been bombing Gaddafi targets for weeks in support of a U.N. resolution to protect civilians but it has been key to allow the rebels to make gains.
    As well as the east of Libya, and the area around Misrata, the rebels hold the Western Mountains, south of Tripoli, where they have captured a number of towns recently.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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