LIBYA: Youths in Misrata train to join the rebel fighters in their battle against leader Muammar Gaddafi

Record ID: 345403

  • Title: LIBYA: Youths in Misrata train to join the rebel fighters in their battle against leader Muammar Gaddafi
  • Date: 19th June 2011
  • Summary: MISRATA, LIBYA (JUNE 18, 2011) (REUTERS) YOUTHS GATHERED AROUND ROCKET LAUNCHER VARIOUS OF TRAINER EXPLAINING HOW TO USE ROCKET LAUNCHER, YOUTHS LISTENING YOUTHS STANDING BEHIND ROCKET LAUNCHER TRAINEE WITH RPG ON SHOULDER TRAINEES WATCHING VARIOUS OF RPG TRAINING VARIOUS OF TRAINEES BEING DRILLED (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FARAJ IBRAHIM, CAMP TRAINER SAYING: "We train the youths who are volunteers. We give them military training and teach them the basics, then we give them weapons for the field." TRAINING IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FARAJ IBRAHIM, CAMP TRAINER SAYING: "It takes a month, a month and a half. They are trained to use RPGs, automatic guns and Kalashnikovs." VARIOUS OF YOUTHS LEARNING TO USE RPGs
  • Embargoed: 4th July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVABT1BE0RVOTO7FB8ISJMQ9LXVN
  • Story Text: Libyan youths attended a military training camp in Misrata on Saturday (June 18), as rebels continued their push towards Tripoli.
    The new recruits in the rebel-stronghold received basic military training to prepare them to join the battle against Muammar Gaddafi's forces.
    "We train the youths who are volunteers. We give them military training and teach them the basics, then we give them weapons for the field," said trainer Faraj Ibrahim.
    Rebels have been trying to close in on the territory currently under Gaddafi's control and have made important gains on all three fronts the past few weeks.
    However, they remain far from seizing their ultimate prize: Gaddafi's powerbase of Tripoli and its hinterland.
    Zlitan, 160 km (100 miles) to the east of Tripoli, is the next major town on the Mediterranean coastal road to the capital from Misrata and capturing it would greatly advance the rebels' strategy of cutting off Tripoli from all sides.
    The rebels have said they will not attack Zlitan because of local tribal sensitivities, but are recruiting fighters from the town and waiting for the residents to rise up against Gaddafi.
    At the Misrata training camp, trainer Faraj Ibrahim said it took a few weeks to fully prepare trainees for battle.
    "It takes a month, a month and a half. They are trained to use RPGs, automatic guns and Kalashnikovs," he said.
    A rebel spokesman in Misrata said 10 civilians had been killed and another 40 wounded when Gaddafi's forces shelled the city on Friday, but the claim could not be verified.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register