Sunday, March 6, 2011

Libya: Heavy fighting around Al-Sawija

The Libyan Civil War, the bloody battle for the strategically important cities has been going well on Saturday. The troops of President Muammar al-Gaddafi started in the afternoon another attempt to take the insurgent-controlled city of Al-Sawija west of Tripoli. Meanwhile, moved in together the United States and other NATO countries strong units at the base of Souda Bay to the west of the Mediterranean island of Crete.


Egyptian refugees from Libya were taken from the Tunisian coast of German ships. Eyewitnesses in Al-Sawija told the Arab news channel Al-Jazeera that 35 tanks approached from Tripoli were coming back to the city. Shortly after that tank shells were taken, all was gunfire could be heard.

In the morning the defenders of the city in fierce fighting had repulsed an attack the regime forces. Information on casualties were not immediately before. Hospital doctors said 150-250 injured. In fighting the day before at least 30 people had been killed. According to a report of the Libyan state television, the regime forces the airport of Misurata, 210 km east of Tripoli, took under their control.

The rebels, who control virtually the entire east of the country, recorded more success: On Saturday, they consolidated their control over the night before conquered oil terminal Ras Lanuf. Eyewitnesses reportedly crashed on Saturday near the oil port of a Libyan fighter aircraft. Photos showed the body of the pilot and wreckage of the machine.

How did the crash was not immediately find out. The rebels claimed to have shot down the fighter plane. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses report that insurgents Gaddafi images destroyed and burned imported from Gaddafi green national flag. In addition, rebel units joined in a westerly direction in front of Sirte.

The Gaddafi's home town was until now a stronghold of his militia. After reports of the television station Al-Jazeera, it should be there come to a split between the principal strains. The dispute was sparked in mind that some of the clan refused to send reinforcements for the troops in Ras Lanuf Gaddafi.

In the port city of Benghazi in exploded on Saturday night for unknown reasons, a huge ammunition dump. While 27 people were killed and dozens more were injured, hospital doctors reported. In the city, however, formed a National Council of the opposition forces to the plot against Gaddafi to give political direction.

The Council consists of 31 committees from various "liberated" towns and areas. Its chairman is former Justice Minister Mustafa Abdul Jelil. On the eastern Libyan upstream Greek island of Crete began a parade of troops of the Western powers. How Greek media and witnesses reported from the region on Saturday, already poured in two large American ships in the bay of Souda, including the helicopter carrier USS Kearsarge.

On board were around 1,200 men, including nearly 800 Marines, told Greek radio. The vessel is suitable for landing operations and for evacuations. Specialized units from various NATO countries were moved to Souda. The German Navy began on Saturday off the Tunisian coast, with a commitment to help refugees.

Two frigates and a task force supply participated in the Tunisian port of Gabes Vaus Libya escaped Egyptian guest workers on board, said a spokesman of the Operations Command to the news agency dpa. They should be placed on the Egyptian port of Alexandria. The relief effort is coordinated by the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

Meanwhile, the three Dutch naval aviator who had been in a failed rescue mission in Libya in prison, accused of espionage. As the Dutch NOS Radio on Saturday, citing the Libyan state television reported that the regime considered them as part of an "international conspiracy" against Gaddafi.

It was important that human rights and the protection of minorities would not be neglected. One should not radical Islamist groups the chance to exploit this period of change for their own purposes.

No comments:

Post a Comment