- Title: LIBYA: Fighters loyal to the NTC seek to unify command for Bani Walid offensive
- Date: 24th September 2011
- Summary: BANI WALID, LIBYA (SEPTEMBER 23, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL (NTC) FIGHTERS AT NORTHERN GATE TO BANI WALID VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS RUNNING FOR COVER AS UNIDENTIFIED VEHICLES APPROACH FROM TOWN VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS CROUCHING WITH GUNS FIGHTERS STANDING, WAITING SMOKE RISING FROM BANI WALID FIGHTER WITH RPG LAUNCHER FIGHTERS STANDING WITH SMOKE FROM TOWN IN BACKGROUND VARIOUS OF FIGHTERS DRIVING BACK FROM DIRECTION OF TOWN FIGHTER WALKING WITH GUN AMBULANCE RETURNING WITH MAN WOUNDED BY SNIPER FIGHTERS GATHERED AROUND OMAR AL MOKHTAR, COMMANDER OF BANI WALID NORTHERN FRONT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OMAR AL MOKHTAR, COMMANDER OF BANI WALID NORTHERN FRONT, SAYING: "The main thing we're doing now on the front is reorganising the lines, because there are some guys coming to the front, without belonging to any brigades or units, undisciplined and untrained, and full of excitement. And because of this excitement when these guys go into the front and face fire, it is not what they expected, so they retreat as fast as they went in." AL MOKHTAR SURROUNDED BY FIGHTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OMAR AL MOKHTAR, COMMANDER OF BANI WALID NORTHERN FRONT, SAYING: "According to our information, we are positive that Saif al-Islam is inside the city, and al-Motassim has been seen about 30 kilometres east of Bani Walid. And it's possible that he joined his brother with reinforcements that came from Sirte yesterday." NTC FIGHTERS AT NORTHERN GATE TO BANI WALID
- Embargoed: 9th October 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflict
- Reuters ID: LVA7NDNHVG9O13YX2LQAVXIG7EPR
- Story Text: Libyan forces besieging Bani Walid, a bastion of support for ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi, are establishing a unified command structure that will ensure steady progress towards capturing the town, the commander responsible said on Friday (September 23).
Efforts to confront pro-Gaddafi fighters in Bani Walid, a desert town 90 miles southeast of Tripoli, have been hampered in recent days by a lack of co-ordination among irregular militias and armed groups.
But one month after fighters for Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) seized control of the capital, Omar al Mokhtar, commander of the northern front of Bani Walid, said all front-line activity would now be regulated, and conducted according to a unified strategy.
"The main thing we're doing now on the front is reorganising the lines, because there are some guys coming to the front, without belonging to any brigades or units, undisciplined and untrained, and full of excitement. And because of this excitement when these guys go into the front and face fire, it is not what they expected, so they retreat as fast as they went in," Al Mokhtar told Reuters.
NTC fighters entering Bani Walid have encountered stiff resistance, encouraging speculation that senior former members of Gaddafi's regime remain in the town - and perhaps even the long-time ruler himself.
"According to our information, we are positive that Saif al-Islam is inside the city, and al-Motassim (another Gaddafi son) has been seen about 30 kilometres east of Bani Walid. And it's possible that he joined his brother with reinforcements that came from Sirte yesterday," the commander said, adding there was a strong possibility Gaddafi was in the town as well.
Al Mokhtar said the most immediate change to the front would be a tighter encircling of the town. He said no one would be able to go in or come out of the town.
Skirmishing continued at the northern gate to Bani Walid on Friday, an activity the commander described as a probing operation to identify the position and strength of the pro-Gaddafi forces.
At least two NTC fighters were wounded by sniper fire, as NATO jets circled overhead. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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