- Title: LIBYA: Libyan fighters edge closer to Sirte
- Date: 19th September 2011
- Summary: AL-KHAMSEEN, EAST OF SIRTE, LIBYA (SEPTEMBER 18, 2011) (REUTERS) WIDE OF COLUMN OF PICK-UP TRUCKS BELONGING TO ANTI-GADDAFI FORCES HEADING TO THE FRONT LINE PICK-UP TRUCK CARRYING GRAD ROCKET LAUNCHERS NTC FIGHTER SAYING: "ALLAHOU AKBAR (GOD IS GREAT)!" COLUMN OF PICK-UP TRUCKS BELONGING TO ANTI-GADDAFI FORCES AS THEY ADVANCE TO THE FRONT LINE VARIOUS OF ANTI-GADDAFI
- Embargoed: 4th October 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflict,Defence / Military
- Reuters ID: LVAAMFX1ZBRO9MOEVOJYI5SO9O2S
- Story Text: Anti-Gaddafi forces countered heavy shelling from forces loyal to deposed ruler Muammar Gaddafi near al-Khamseen village, 50 km east of Sirte, on Sunday (September 18), as they edge ever closer to one of the last loyalist bastions.
Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte, along with Bani Walid and the remote but important town of Sabha, is one of the last places frustrating NTC efforts to take control of the whole country.
However, the failure to capture the towns is a serious setback to a new government trying to exert its control over all of Libya and shore up the remaining bastions of the man who ruled it eccentrically for 42 years.
On Sunday, ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) forces fled in a chaotic retreat from Bani Walid town, after failing in another attempt to storm the desert stronghold.
In Sirte, NTC forces have made better progress but have still been held back by Gaddafi loyalists through three days of heavy fighting.
At Sirte, more than 900 vehicles are involved in the fight on one front and 400 are trying to approach from another.
Despite coming under fire on Sunday, fighters were confident that victory was only a matter of time.
"We have now advanced forward, beyond Herawa town, and we are now on the outskirts of the city of Sirte, near al-Khamseen. And we are chasing the remnants of Gaddafi and the volunteers with the brigades. And resistance, there is resistance, but it is very minimal because they are nothing but the remnants of Gaddafi and his volunteers," said NTC commander, Mouftah Omar.
By nightfall, NTC fighters had steadily advanced beyond Herawa town, inching towards Sirte from the east, but stopped shortly after coming under heavy shelling from pro-Gaddafi forces.
Some of the NTC men outside Bani Walid blame traitors, others blame snipers, many blame the oil the Gaddafi men pour down the steep streets leading to the city centre.
However, they also say that the better commanders and strategists are at Sirte -- perhaps because, as a port town and the one-time home of Gaddafi -- it is more strategically important. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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