LIBYA: Residential districts of Brega lie in ruins after rebel fighters took the town in a fierce battle with forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi
Record ID:
785222
LIBYA: Residential districts of Brega lie in ruins after rebel fighters took the town in a fierce battle with forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi
- Title: LIBYA: Residential districts of Brega lie in ruins after rebel fighters took the town in a fierce battle with forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi
- Date: 18th August 2011
- Summary: BREGA, LIBYA (AUGUST 17, 2011) (REUTERS) ENTRANCE TO RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT OF BREGA DESERTED STREET VARIOUS OF WALL WITH HOLE IN IT REBEL FIGHTER WALKING DAMAGED CAR PARKED IN GARAGE VARIOUS OF SCATTERED BELONGINGS ON GROUND VARIOUS OF PRO-GADDAFI GRAFFITI ON WALL OF BEDROOM BELONGINGS SCATTERED IN BEDROOM CLOTHES SCATTERED IN BATHROOM VARIOUS OF DEBRIS IN STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) REBEL-FIGHTER, FARAG MANSOURY, SAYING "We have almost spent three months outside Brega, but now we are here controlling the third residential district. We entered Brega in Ramadan and we found the troops of the tyrant Gaddafi wreaking havoc on the city, as you can see." VARIOUS OF DEBRIS AND DESTROYED BUILDINGS DESERTED STREET WITH CAR WRECKAGE IN CENTRE
- Embargoed: 2nd September 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflict
- Reuters ID: LVADBF6DKT4M1W15ZJ6ZJF9GKFV2
- Story Text: A trail of destruction could be seen in the Libyan oil town of Brega on Wednesday (August) after days of heavy fighting between rebel fighters and forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
Residential districts were largely destroyed in the fighting, with holes punched into walls and houses and vehicles badly damaged.
The rebels took control of the second and third residential districts of the town and have now set their sights on the city's oil installations.
The oil port of Brega has been the main front line in the east of the country for months and while rebels have seized the port's eastern residential areas, Gaddafi's forces still control its oil terminal, refinery and port.
Rebels said it had taken them a long time to gain control of the town.
"We have almost spent three months outside Brega, but now we are here controlling the third residential district. We entered Brega in Ramadan and we found the troops of the tyrant Gaddafi wreaking havoc on the city, as you can see," said rebel fighter, Farag Mansoury.
Earlier this week, forces loyal to Gaddafi said they would destroy the oil terminal to prevent one of the country's most important economic lifelines falling into the hands of advancing rebels.
Capturing the oil installation would be a coup for the rebels, who long to restart the oil exports that accounted for nearly all of Libya's wealth before an uprising six months ago and sanctions on Gaddafi brought shipments to a halt. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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