- Title: LIBYA: Rebels battling to secure Libyan capital
- Date: 23rd August 2011
- Summary: DEAD MAN IN THE BACK OF CAR THAT WAS SHOT AT (THERE WERE 2 OTHER VICTIMS) CAR IN FRONT OF THE COMPOUND GATE REBELS PREPARING AMMUNITION MORE OF REBELS PREPARING BULLETS CAR BURNING AND REBELS WITH ANTI AIRCRAFT GUN
- Embargoed: 7th September 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflict
- Reuters ID: LVA1BN54IKCMSXT47JU318RSDOZ5
- Story Text: Libyan rebels from the Tripoli Brigade moved into the policewomen's training centre in the capital city on Monday (August 22) the morning after thousands marched jubilantly to capture the city from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
But as they set up their central committee headquarters, fighting was still ongoing inside the city.
There were reports of gunfights around Gaddafi's compound in Bab Al-Azizya, Green Square was not entirely secured and brigades from the Western Mountains, the western areas and the south were busy flushing out snipers from street to street.
"Bab Al-Azizya (Gaddafi's compound), we know that he still has powers there and tanks. This is the latest information. And now we are doing our plan and it's a good plan to go and take Bab Al-Azizya and we want to go with less blood. No more blood. Its been enough blood going in this country. We want to go and take Bab Al-Azizya and put our flag and it will be peaceful. No more blood," said Yussef Aradat, of the Tripoli Brigade.
The Brigade's General Commander, Hisham Bourajad, told his troops to remain vigilant saying the battle has not been won yet.
"Our story is only just beginning, it has not finished yet. That is our duty. Now I ask you to rest. Each of you will receive his orders from his unit chief. Have you understood. You are not allowed to go outside.. Be very vigilant. We are in a land filled with enemies and full of pockets. Do not relent. OK?," General Bourajad told his men.
Speaking of the speed of the rebel advance into Tripoli, Bourajad said the people who rose up from neighbourhoods of Fashlun, Tajoura and Sug al Juma, together with those who supported them had won the battle for Tripoli.
"Of course, the people won. Gaddafi is gone. He is not dead yet but he is dead: he is gone," he said.
But soon after the interview the compound was hit by two apparently coordinated attacks, underscoring the fighting still to be done to secure the capital.
Pinned down by two snipers who shot at the Tripoli Brigade from opposite sides of the compound, which is overlooked by tall residential buildings, rebels fired back with anti-aircraft weapons.
"We have two snipers. One is from the children's hospital and the other one is from the hotel. Ok. So that is why we are using 3.5 [calibre weapons] to shoot them. We try our best not to shoot anything in the hospital. OK, but we have to deal with him otherwise he can kill us. OK he is now shooting I think," said Ismail Boukassem of the Tripoli Brigade.
Then they were attacked from the front sending the entire force diving for cover. A fierce firefight ensued, followed by two further attacks, which killed at least two people in a car that was hit.
Civilians, who had mobbed the streets on Sunday to cheer the end of dictatorship, stayed indoors as machinegun fire and explosions punctuated some of the heaviest fighting of the Arab Spring uprisings that have been reshaping the Middle East.
of the Libyan uprising for The Tripoli Brigade on Monday (August 22), attacked by Gaddafi loyalists throughout the day.
Libyan rebels from the Tripoli Brigade moved into the policewomen's training centre in the capital city on Monday (August 22) the morning after thousands marched jubilantly to capture the city from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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