LIBYA: Anti-aircraft fire lights up Tripoli sky

Record ID: 644339

  • Title: LIBYA: Anti-aircraft fire lights up Tripoli sky
  • Date: 24th March 2011
  • Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (MARCH 23, 2011) (REUTERS) +++NIGHT SHOTS+++ RED FLASHES LIGHTS IN THE SKY, BELIEVED TO BE ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE FIRED BY GADDAFI FORCES AGAINST WESTERN AIRCRAFT
  • Embargoed: 8th April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA2SAPO3N93B7TLWD77B8UCCK26
  • Story Text: Tripoli residents wake up to the sound of explosions and gunfire over the city.
    A barrage of anti-aircraft gunfire lit up the predawn sky in Tripoli on Wednesday (March 23), believed to have been fired by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
    At least two explosions were also heard in the Libyan capital before dawn, Reuters witnesses said and the roar of a fighter jet was heard above the city.
    Western warplanes have flown more than 300 sorties over Libya and more than 162 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been fired in the United Nations-mandated mission to protect Libyan civilians against government troops.
    But while Western air power has grounded Gaddafi's planes and pushed back his troops and armour from the brink of rebel stronghold Benghazi, disorganised and poorly equipped insurgents have failed to capitalise on the ground and remain pinned down.
    The rebels have been unable to dislodge Gaddafi's forces from the key junction of Ajdabiyah in the east, while government tanks dominate the last big rebel hold-out of Misrata. There is big risk of stalemate on the ground, analysts say.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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