LIBYA: NTC fighters launch renewed attack on pro-Gaddafi forces in Sirte

Record ID: 374927

  • Title: LIBYA: NTC fighters launch renewed attack on pro-Gaddafi forces in Sirte
  • Date: 8th October 2011
  • Summary: SIRTE, LIBYA (OCTOBER 7, 2011) (REUTERS) ANTI-GADDAFI FORCES ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT MACHINE GUN ON THE FRONTLINE PREPARING LAUNCH FIREPOWER FIGHTERS ON THE BACK OF A VEHICLE WITH ARMS FIGHTERS PREPARING AMMUNITION AMMUNITION BEING FIRED (AUDIO OF GUNFIRE) FIGHTERS LAUNCHING ROCKETS VEHICLE WITH MACHINE GUN FIRING AS IT DRIVES ALONG ROAD FIGHTE
  • Embargoed: 23rd October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA16VFSL1IZTUSETRXLHRL2NSEB
  • Story Text: Forces loyal to the Libyan interim government the National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters began on Friday (October 7) what they said is a decisive push into the embattled city of Sirte causing some families who were trapped there to flee and inflicting casualties on its forces.
    The NTC is trying to root out forces loyal to Libya's deposed leader Muammar Gaddafi in Sirte, his birthplace.
    Anti-Gaddafi field commander Salehm Hamdi gave details of the day's military manoeuvres.
    ''As you see there is an advance in the morning towards the centre of the city to finish off the remaining supporters of the tyrant. The situation on the ground is such that we are carrying out heavy shelling," he said.
    Anti-Gaddafi fighter Mohammad bin Na'asan said the advance was three-pronged.
    ''Today we are pushing from three fronts and we are dividing our forces along each front and thank God we don't see that there is a lot of resistance, and there are still more people leaving. Today we saw people leaving,'' he said.
    Luggage and vehicles of families fleeing Sirte were inspected by anti-Gaddafi forces on the roads out of Sirte.
    Fighters wounded on the frontline were transported to a hospital in Sirte for treatment.
    The fighting in Sirte has been going on for more than three weeks, with NATO also targeting positions in the city.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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