Libyan Revolution Day 39 part 2 (For the women of the revolution! Sirte liberated!)

[joshcryer]

Links to sites with updates: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-28">AJE Live Blog March 28 (today) http://blogs.aljazeera.net/twitter-dashboard">AJE Twitter Dashboard http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418">BBC Live Blog http://live.reuters.com/Event/Middle_East_Protests">Reuters Live Blog http://feb17.info/">feb17.info http://www.livestream.com/libya17feb?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks">Libya Alhurra (live video webcast from Benghazi) http://www.libyafeb17.com/">libyafeb17.com

Twitter links: http://twitter.com/#!/aymanm">Ayman Mohyeldin, with AJE http://twitter.com/#!/bencnn">Ben Wedeman, with CNN http://twitter.com/#!/tripolitanian">tripolitanian, a Libyan from Tripoli http://twitter.com/#!/BaghdadBrian">Brian Conley, reporter in Libya http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth">FreeLibyanYouth, Libyan advocate http://twitter.com/#!/LibyaFeb17_com">LibyaFeb17.com twitter account http://twitter.com/#!/ChangeInLibya">ChangeInLibya, Libyan advocate

Useful links: http://audioboo.fm/feb17voices">feb17voices http://www.google.com/search?q=time+in+libya">Current time in Libya http://www.islamicfinder.org/cityPrayerNew.php?country=libya">Prayer times in Libya

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x754334">Day 39 part 1 here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixwx_B38678">Marching On in Libya, for the revolutionaries!

Young women protest in Benghazi


I would like to thank Turborama for http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x594751">putting most of this together, please see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x594751">his post in editorial subforum with many more pictures.

http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/africa/the-women-fighting-organising-feeding-and-healing-libya-s-revolution?pageCount=0">The women fighting, organising, feeding and healing Libya’s revolution
Bugaighis, a mother of three, is just one of a group of women who have been at the vanguard of Benghazi's uprising. Away from the front lines where the east's men are battling to hold off pro-Qaddafi forces, women work side-by-side with men to keep the rebels fighting, society and the economy functioning and the uprising visible.

Day jobs have been shed, replaced by a spirit of volunteerism that has led to ad hoc committees and fledgling democratic institutions. Some, like Bugaighis, are members of the organisational institutions centred in the courthouse. She is joined by her sister Iman Bugaighis, a professor-turned-spokeswoman for the rebels, and by Salwa el Deghali, the women's representative on the council. But, as was the case in Egypt and Tunisia, women were involved in the protests from the start, and Libyan women across all classes and levels of education are now playing a role from providing food to keeping up numbers in the streets, regardless of the outcome of the rebellion.

The uprising of which Bugaighis was part began with calls for protests on February 17, leading to the pro-democracy Libyans being dubbed the "February 17 rebels". But it sparked two days earlier when Fathi Terbil, a fellow lawyer, was arrested. He is representing the families of the victims of the massacre in Abu Salim, a notorious Tripoli prison where human rights organisations say some 1,200 people, mainly political prisoners, were killed after they rose up in 1996 - yet many of the wives and mothers weren't told of the deaths until 2009.

This, says Bugaighis, was the final straw. "For 42 years we have not been able to say what we want," she says. But small fires - fuelled by Benghazi's lawyers, many of them women - were burning long before. In September last year, Bugaighis and others took to the streets when the head of the legal union - a Qaddafi appointment - failed to step down long after the end of his term.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SaSjAzz_6E">The women of Benghazi - video
With their husbands, sons and brothers at the frontlines, the women of Benghazi are busy supporting them with meals and supplies, preparing thousands of sandwiches and warm meals daily.

Hoda Abdel Hamid reports from Benghazi, where the uprising began.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrvFOFYql9k">Libya - 09 Mar 2011, Women in Benghazi March Against Gaddafi Regime, 09/03/2011
Historic demonstration led by women against the Gaddafi regime started from Jamal street in Benghazi, an uninterrupted flow of demonstrators passing in front of the courthouse. Recorded live at 16:50 on 09/03/2011

Note: this final video is by Mohammed Nabbous, who was killed. He's memorialized at the bottom of every one of these posts and will continue to be. "Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, it's just flowing, and flowing, it's not stopping!"

Again: I would like to thank Turborama for http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x594751">putting most of this together, please see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x594751">his post in editorial subforum with many more pictures. Please see his post!

Video of the convoy sent to take Benghazi, taken from a dead soliders cell phone (shows how massive the operation was): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwWwOeZqz6M

Sky News went with Gaddafi minders to find a "civilian town bombed" only they were never shown any such thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O5KJavfiQo

TNC presser talking about various details of the revolution (thanks to Waiting for Everyone): http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=730234&mesg_id=731532


Videos to bring the Libyan Revolution into context:

The Battle of Benghazi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vChMDuNd0

BBC Panorama on Libya Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyaPnMnpCAA

BBC Panorama on Libya Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMzwQvcx62s

Tea of Freedom Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD5tu5bJWKc

Latest indiscriminate shelling in Misurata: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wop3C4zrPXI

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x677397">Text of the resolution.

How will a no fly zone work? AJE reports: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEwehTtK2k

Canada: http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110317/cf-libya-canada/20110317/?hub=WinnipegHome">Canada to send six CF-18s for Libya 'no-fly' mission Norway: http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFOSN00509220110318">Norway to join military intervention in Libya Belgium: http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/2011-03-18/la-belgique-prete-a-une-operation-militaire-en-libye-828970.php">Belgium ready for a military operation in Libya Qatar and the UAE: http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/776/?SID=e80884adc09a37d26904578a9b5978cb">Run-up for Western world’s next military commitment ... with unusual support Denmark: http://www.cphpost.dk/news/international/89-international/51229-denmark-ready-for-action-against-gaddafi.html">Denmark ready for action against Gaddafi France: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/19/world/africa/19libya.html?src=twrhp">Following U.N. Vote, France Vows Libya Action ‘Soon’ Italy: http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFLDE72G2HE20110317">Italy to make bases available for Libya no-fly zone-source United Kingdom: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12770467">Libya: UK forces prepare after UN no-fly zone vote United States: http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/nations-draw-up-plans-for-no-fly-zone-over-libya-1.2765122">Nations draw up plans for no-fly zone over Libya Jordan: http://www.smh.com.au/world/military-strikes-on-libya-within-hours-20110318-1bzii.html?from=smh_sb">Military strikes on Libya 'within hours' Spain: http://english.cri.cn/6966/2011/03/19/2801s627320.htm">Spain Expected to Join NATO No-fly Zone Enforcement over Libya

"One month ago (Western countries) were sooo nice, so nice like pussycats," Saif says in a contemptuous sing-song tone."Now they want to be really aggressive like tigers. (But) soon they will come back, and cut oil deals, contracts. We know this game." - http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2058389,00.html">Saif Gaddafi

(Yeah, Saif, as if you weren't "cutting oil deals, contracts" with western states. Who are the 'tigers' now? Bombing your own people.)

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-10-0">March 10 7:28pm Saif al Islam Gaddafi says "the time has come for full-scale military action" against Libyan rebels. He goes on to say that Libyan forces loyal to his family "will never surrender, even if western powers intervene".

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/25/world/middleeast/map-of-how-the-protests-unfolded-in-libya.html">Click here for updated map

Military Installations



Oil Map



http://bit.ly/fe3P">Google Earth DL here to see positions of army and patrolling route of mercenaries

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=212059469427545728757.00049c4df2474b6543347&ll=31.203405,30.058594&spn=96.173452,183.867188&z=3">MAP of Protests across the Middle East

Mohammed Nabbous, killed by Gaddafi's forces while trying to report on the massacre in Benghazi

"I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid to lose the battle" -Mohammed Nabbous, a month ago when all this began

I'm struggling to come up with something to say about this man. I was not aware of the Libyan uprising until I saw Mo's first report, begging for help, posted here on DU. I was stricken. Here was a man giving everything he had to explain a situation that clearly terrified him, I would not call him a coward in that moment, but you could see the fear in his eyes, and desperation in his voice. For 30 days Nabbous would spend many hours covering the uprising in Benghazi. For many nights I would go to sleep with the webcast of Benghazi live on my computer screen, looking to it occasionally to be sure it was still 'there.' Mo treated the chat room as if we were his friends, and in some way, we were. I never signed up to LiveStream to thank him for all his work and it seems somewhat shallow to do so now, given that I was a lurker for so long. Ever since I took over posting these threads "Libya Alhurra" has been linked as a source of information. It wasn't until last night, when I posted, and twitter posted on Mo's adventures out into Benghazi to try to determine the truth of the situation, that Mo's webchannel became a hit, over 2000 people were watching him stream live. This was curious to him because he'd done many reports like this in the past but he appeared somewhat bemused that the view count exploded as it did. Last night Mo became a star. This is a man who first started out with a webcast replete with fear and desperation finally overcoming that aspect of himself and losing that fear, to become someone who was a fighter for the resistance just as much as those who held the guns. Reporting on the front lines of Benghazi became his final act, and for that he should never, ever be forgotten. I'm so sorry Mo that I never got to know you better.

Mo's first report, which many of you may remember, begging for help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EXALI60hg

Mo's last report, a fallen hero trying to spread the word to the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecu_iWLn-rg

Mo leaves behind a wife who is with child, she had http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/23/a_bright_voice_from_libyas_darkness">this to say about the No Fly Zone and R2P UN resolution:

We started this in a pure way, but he turned it bloody. Thousands of our men, women, and children have died. We just wanted our freedom, that's all we wanted, we didn't want power. Before, we could not do a single thing if it was not the way he wanted it. All we wanted was freedom. All we wanted was to be free. We have paid with our blood, with our families, with our men, and we're not going to give up. We are still going to do that no matter what it takes, but we need help. We want to do this ourselves, but we don't have the weapons, the technology, the things we need. I don't want anyone to say that Libya got liberated by anybody else. If NATO didn't start moving when they did, I assure you, I assure you, half of Benghazi if not more would have been killed. If they stop helping us, we are going to be all killed because he has no mercy anymore.

[joshcryer]

1. Current time in Libya, 6:02am Monday, March 28

[defendandprotect]

25. LIBYA HURRA !!!

[joshcryer]

2. Gaddafi Soldiers Abusing Prisoners

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV2drSvflrI

[Waiting For Everyman]

3. Wow! I had a feeling something was up, and to check the news - SIRTE TOO!!??

The Libyan tweeters are all lit up! Yikes!

[joshcryer]

5. Hope I get a confirm in the next hour, I will change that question mark to an exclaimation point!

:hi:

[joshcryer]

4. Libyan rebel spokesman says Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte has fallen into the hands of the rebels

http://live.reuters.com/Event/Middle_East_Protests#LiveBlog_Post10113686

Reuters source so far. BBC won't be back updating live for another few hours.

[tabatha]

7. sounds good

Abdul Rahman Shalgam tells Al Jazeera that Gaddafi tribesmen are now fleeing to Chad. "The dictatorship is over, this is #Libya's new dawn"

another

RT @copperhead7903: AJELive says most pro-Gaddafi forces fled Sirte, leaving weaponry behin

[Waiting For Everyman]

8. Can almost feel the world holding it's breath!

Afraid to jinx it. Sounding good though. As you said Josh (I think) Gaddafi shot it all on Benghazi!?

[bobbolink]

10. YES! That it is... baited breath.

It does appear that Benghazi may have been the make or break.

I'm picturing the G family all in Pampers now. :rofl:

[joshcryer]

12. Yeah, and deciding to shell Misrata and Adjabiya didn't help.

After seeing his tanks fall he could've blockaided but I think the allies were going to wipe his heavy machinery off the map anyway.

[CJvR]

100. Seems that way.

It was a big gamble, and it was 24h from paying off. I suspect the few survivors of the rout out east comming running back to whatever troops remained in Sirte with stories of doom and gloom broke the resistance before it even go started.

What wonderful news to wake up to!

[Waiting For Everyman]

13. Funny tweet! Rev humor

feb17libya
@Tripolitanian.. its dawn ... Odyssey dawn
3 minutes ago

in reply to ↑

@Tripolitanian
@feb17libya aha! they planned it all along :P
1 minute ago

:rofl:

[joshcryer]

15. Pfft. Tripolitanian, western shill.

:rofl:

[Waiting For Everyman]

17. Lol! Must be CIA. Big oil. :D

It is getting to be that crazy though.

[joshcryer]

19. Calling Sirte liberated now, too many reliable sources on twitter making the claim.

Al Jazeera is also reporting it, with names of council members making the claim. I am so excited.

[bobbolink]

6. CNN just showed film of woman in hotel, being hustled away by goons.

Reported by Nic Robertson.

Much more graphic than the youtube vid I saw. It also showed a journalist being shoved away by one of the goons at the car.

[tabatha]

9. Libya: MSF returns to Benghazi

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

MSF teams have returned to Libya after being forced to withdraw from Benghazi due to worsening security conditions on the 15th of March. Today, seven MSF staff are inside the country, both in Benghazi and Tobruk, planning to resume assessments of medical needs and provide support with medical personnel and materials where required.

“Since we first entered on the 24th of February, our aim has been to reach areas where the ongoing fighting has left the most needs” explains Simon BURROUGHS, MSF Emergency Coordinator in Libya.

From Libya, MSF reiterates the importance of respecting medical facilities, health personnel and vehicles carrying patients, and calls on all parties involved to allow unhindered access to medical humanitarian assistance.

MSF is also trying to enter Libya from Tunisia. But, in spite of continuous efforts since February 23, the teams have still not received authorization to cross the border.

http://www.msf.org.hk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1179&Itemid=9&lang=en

(Thanks to the intervention!!)

[joshcryer]

11. Yes! They said they didn't want to go. They're heros.

They need to get to Adjabiya and Misrata STAT.

[tabatha]

14. Yes, those two towns are heart-breaking.

[Waiting For Everyman]

16. Omg! Seconds ago - Gadaffi possibly shot

franya
????? RT @EndTyranny01: CONFRIMED CONFIRMED Gaddaffi has been shot in the neck,Is still alive,at the Libyan Algerian border Saif Al Islam has escaped. #Sirte #Libya
3 minutes ago

[tabatha]

18. It could all end in a few days.

I was wondering when one of the kids would revolt.

[Waiting For Everyman]

22. More (twitter is running slow, beginning to bog down a bit)

EndTyranny01 Ahmed Sanalla
@LibyaInMe Packing my bag..Tripoli here we come. #Tripoli #Benghazi #Feb17
14 minutes ago

EndTyranny01 Ahmed Sanalla
@Updates2424 Operated on in an area called Greya al the Libyan Algerain Border. Saif el Isalm has escaped. #Sirte #Libya #Feb17 CONFIRMED
17 minutes ago

EndTyranny01 Ahmed Sanalla
@gfry @evaottesmith Source is with Gaddaffi at Beb El Aziza & Military sources. CONFIRMED Gaddaffi has been shot, Alive still. #Libya #Feb17
19 minutes ago

There's more that's similar, but twitter is a pain to copy. This guy EndTyranny01 says he has a source in Benghazi. Will keep looking...

[joshcryer]

23. Been reading EndTyranny01's past tweets, don't know...

...seems reliable but don't know for sure, because this is the first I've seen him tweet.

[Waiting For Everyman]

29. gfry and some others trying to check - just had a thought though...

In the Elam press conference today Moussa said something vague about Gadaffi moving around, and that being to be expected during a crisis.

This rumor/report says Gadaffi is near the Tunisian border, and has been since the incident three days ago. I wonder?

Further tweets saying he was shot in the knee though, not the neck. And that Saif is gone out of the country. I wonder on that too - maybe something to do with Elam? Was he the high-level participant? Who knows, but could be. We'll see.

I do have a hunch though on that Moussa comment on Gaddafi's location.

(fingers crossed) Wouldn't be such a great gift to have all the Gadaffis neutralized, out of the picture? Too good to be true, I know, but still. (miracles)

[tabatha]

40. I am betting that Saif has escaped.

The writing is on the wall - and he did not want to be hauled in front of the ICC. I bet he has lots of "bargaining " information.

[defendandprotect]

51. Who do you think he is bargaining with -- ??? And ...

how many children are there close with G? Two sons mainly?

Didn't Algeria make some kind of an offer recently re G? Trying to remember?

Who might take the G's in?

[kenny blankenship]

59. Who could take Gaddafy in that isn't in danger of losing power in a revolution themselves?

That has to be making him crazy, to see the few possible safe havens teetering and shaking as his own state comes to an end.

[joshcryer]

61. Reports are that Gaddafi family is hiding out in Venezuela.

But I highly doubt Venezuela would be stupid enough to take in Gaddafi or Saif themselves.

[defendandprotect]

67. And where's the money -- the gold -- the frozen accounts -- ????

hmm....

[bobbolink]

121. Making him crazy? Now? As opposed to the last 40+ years of his crazy?

You're funny, Kenny. :hi:

I will hope along with you that his blood pressure is reaching explosion levels. :rofl:

Glad to see you back here today... it promises to be exciting! :yourock:

[tabatha]

81. I bet he will try to avoid ICC by being a witness.

[defendandprotect]

49. Though reason to doubt it, Gaddafi is only human -- and he has to understand he's finished now ...

presume this may be propelling him and the family to seek security of something

other than basements and secret passageways?

If any of this "movement" is true then those supporters left at the compound will know

and their behavior may be changing --

Missed what Albright had to say on CNN re Libya -- trying to watch for anything on these

reports re G --

[joshcryer]

20. National Council has claimed that Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte was taken at 11.30pm last night

6:00am Al Jazeera's Sue Turton in Benghazi reports that the opposition's National Council has claimed that Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte was taken at 11.30pm last night (local time) by opposition forces.

Shamsi Abdul Mullah, a spokesman for the council, said that the city was found to be "unarmed" and opposition fighters did not encounter much resistance.

A column of military vehicles was reportedly seen leaving Sirte, bound for Tripoli.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-28#update-20431

[defendandprotect]

27. LIBYA HURRA -- !!!

[tabatha]

21. Kadhafi lies pushed us to fight, captured soldiers say

BENGHAZI, Libya — Their bodies are broken -- as broken as their loyalty now to their one-time leader Moamer Kadhafi, whom they say lied to push them into battle against rebellious compatriots in eastern Libya.

Three of them are soldiers in Kadhafi's army, wounded and taken prisoner in different locations a week ago by rebels.

They were lying in beds in a guarded room in a hospital in Benghazi, sleeping, praying and reflecting on how they ended up being cared for by a compassionate enemy that in no way resembled Al-Qaeda, Israel's Mossad or the foreign terrorists Kadhafi's officers had said awaited them.

And they were keen to talk to the media.

Azoumi Ali Mohammed, 25, said he was a reservist taken on March 20 after coalition warplanes bombed his convoy of more than 400 Libyan troops and African mercenaries on a desert road leading from the eastern city of Ajdabiya.

"The planes hit us as soon as we headed out. I saw two people die in front of me. After that I don't know what happened," he said. He showed his bandaged right leg where he was wounded by shrapnel.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ik1kEd_4ujFUiHu09nOcQg7Gah_A?docId=CNG.82fce0d1e069b2865b114176f57c0264.a81

[joshcryer]

24. the opposition council now says that they are expecting that the "real fight" will occur in Tripoli

6:09am Al Jazeera's Sue Turton reports that the opposition council now says that they are expecting that the "real fight" will occur in the Tripoli area, as opposed in Sirte, where stiffer resistance had been expected.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-28#update-20441

[bobbolink]

26. If, indeed, G has been shot, that may let the air out of Tripoli.

[joshcryer]

28. One can hope, but I'm going to be even more skeptical of that report.

I hope you understand where I'm coming from. :hug:

[tabatha]

31. another tweet

‎
hadearkandil‎ Libya: #Gaddafi hometown of #Sirte under opposition control, Gaddafi shot in knee, #Seif has escaped. Yalla ya #Libya its a matter of days!!

[bobbolink]

120. Neck, knee..... same/same

:rofl:

[defendandprotect]

53. We're all skeptical, I think -- but hoping that perhaps something has moved G out -- ???

:grouphug:

[bobbolink]

119. I'm skeptical, too. Even tho the report twice said, "CONFIRMED".

I've lived long enogh, geezer that I am, to know that in cases of any kind of crisis, there are always reports that turn out to not be true. It happens.

But, I gotta tell ya.... rading that sure made my heart race! :hi:

Good morning, Josh! :hug:

[defendandprotect]

41. I'm watching BBC and CNN -- not a peep about G being shot so far --

[defendandprotect]

30. On to Tripoli --

May the fates move Gaddafi to flee --

and save the protesters this last battle --

BBC: 1:17 am -- "Sirte is now in rebel hands" --

[joshcryer]

32. MISRATA! Poor Misrata! :(

[defendandprotect]

42. What's current situation there?

[joshcryer]

47. Shelling for almost 2 weeks, totally besieged, no power, no water.

It's bad.

[defendandprotect]

54. Ah -- I see it's between Sirte and Tripoli --

though things had turned around there as well -- sad!!

[kenny blankenship]

76. The world will discover horrors in Misurata after Gaddafy goes & fuller reports are filed

The shelled hospital - apparently empty in this cellphone video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFXoCJpc4K4
There were hundreds of wounded people brought there, what happened to them and where are the Doctors?

[tcaudilllg]

94. All Gadhafi has to do is avoid firing his tanks inside the city.

[pinboy3niner]

96. I have reservations about her reports

See Post #95.

[joshcryer]

33. OMG! Look at these wonderful pics from the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2011/mar/27/libya-rebels-push-west

I wish I could post them all but yeah!

[defendandprotect]

45. K/R --

[Amonester]

34. K & R

Many good news, this morning!

How I wish it ends positively ASAP, and on my birthday!

[bobbolink]

122. I will wish with you, and Happy Birthday!

:bounce: :party: :toast: :party: :bounce:

[Amonester]

129. Thank you, bobbolink!

I have nothing specifically different than the 'number' (58 now), but I really wanted it to be new Libya's "Independence Day" ;)

(not over yet)

[bobbolink]

130. That would be wonderfull to share a birthday with a successful liberation movement!

May your birthday find you walking like an Egyptian!

[MedleyMisty]

35. This guy always has the best pics :)

http://twitter.com/IbnOmar2005

Just posted this one.

[tabatha]

38. LOL. Pretty good.

[Amonester]

55. His reign of old-machinations and disregard for most human beings...

and most Libyans' right to live in peace and to prosper is about to end soon.

Hey, gawd-awful: Have you got it yet????

GO AWAY! GOOD FRIGGING RIDDANCE!! DO IT TODAY! WE'LL KEEP YOUR SILLY PICTURES, YOU SICK NARCISSIST!

[Turborama]

70. LOL LOVE IT!

Thanks for sharing. I'm following them now.

:hi:

[pinboy3niner]

36. I'm back. Did I miss anything, ROFLMAO?!1!!

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :rofl:

I caught up before jumping in here. Reports sound promising, if true, but we need solid confirmation. First, journos in Sirte. I'm watching CNN to see if Arwa Damon or Nic Robertson reach there. Will post if we get a report from one of them in Sirte.

Earlier reports of Gaddafi troops dropping their weapons and uniforms and donning civvies also tend to support the idea of his army collapsing. If/when Sirte has fallen, the opposition needs to do all it can to get the word to Tripoli. There likely will be more desertions/defections there, though Gaddafi is surrounded by die-hard, dead-ender loyalist troops--and a lot of them probably WOULD die for him/with him.

Looks like it will be a long night, Josh! :evilgrin:

[defendandprotect]

58. At least that Gaddafi may be on the move may be accurate -- ???

though Gaddafi is surrounded by die-hard, dead-ender loyalist troops--and a lot of them probably WOULD die for him/with him.

If so -- can the people back at the compound be expected to behavior as he might like them to?

They may take this opportunity to flee, as well?

[CJvR]

103. Not sure...

...how much actual troops Mad Dog has in his main kennel. The remaining operational army units seems to be engaged at Misurata, he really doesn't need heavy units to terrorize the Tripolitanians - only people willing to pull the trigger.

[bobbolink]

123. All is quiet, pinboy. Go back to sleep.

:rofl:

:hug:

[joshcryer]

37. Today the rebels went from having Ajdabiya, to having Ras Lanuf and Brega and Sirt:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/27/libya-gaddafi-rebel-forces-take-brega">Libyan rebels take back oil towns of Brega and Ras Lanuf in westward push
Libyan rebels have entered the key oil town of Ras Lanuf after routing Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Brega with help from UN-backed air strikes that tipped the balance away from the military.

Brega, the main oil export terminal in eastern Libya, fell after a skirmish late on Saturday, and rebels continued their push westwards to Ras Lanuf and its large oil refinery. "There is no Gaddafi army in Ras Lanuf," said Walid al-Arabi, a rebel fighter.

The advance continued today as rebels took control of the town of Bin Jawad and said they planned to push on towards Gaddafi's stronghold of Sirte. More than two dozen rebel trucks were seen going into the town centre, Reuters reported. The rebels now have regained control of the major oil terminals in the east of the country.


The Gaddafi regime acknowledged that air strikes had forced its troops to retreat and accused international forces of choosing sides. "This is the objective of the coalition now, it is not to protect civilians because now they are directly fighting against the armed forces," said the deputy foreign minister, Khaled Kaim. "They are trying to push the country to the brink of a civil war."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/27/libya-rebels-advance-gaddafi-home-town">Libyan rebels advance on Muammar Gaddafi's home town
Libyan rebels are advancing on Muammar Gaddafi's home city, Sirte, after retaking all the ground lost in earlier fighting as government forces broke and fled under western air strikes.

Revolutionary forces rapidly moved more than 150 miles west along Libya's coastal road, seizing several towns without resistance, as the first witness accounts emerged of the devastating effect on Gaddafi's army and militia of the aerial bombardment which broke their resistance at Ajdabiya on Saturday.

A doctor treating wounded government soldiers described hundreds of deaths, terrible injuries and collapsing morale.

Today, rebels retook the important oil towns of Brega, Ras Lanuf and Ben Jawad, and continued on the open desert road toward Sirte, about 95 miles away.

[pinboy3niner]

39. AFP reports 9 powerful explosions have been heard in Sirte--no details yet. nt

[meow mix]

43. K&R

amazing

[Turborama]

44. Sky News are making it official: "Libyan Rebels 'Take Gaddafi Hometown'"

In LBN: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4789935

:hi: everyone, just woke up after an extremely long night/morning.

[tabatha]

46. Hi.

:hi:

I think this is going to be an interesting night.

I wonder if Obama will be able to say on Monday - that military operations are (almost) over.

Would that not be ironic.

[pinboy3niner]

48. Still based on opposition claims, though--no independent confirmation

If it's true, there should be journalists in Sirte very soon to confirm.

[joshcryer]

56. Few hours yet, I doubt they wanted to travel at night, but yeah, they'll be there.

Amazing how the journalists drive with the revolutionaries, surrounded by guns, rocket launchers, etc.

[pinboy3niner]

68. There ARE foreign correspondents in Sirte

BBC reported: "Foreign correspondents in Sirte said they heard several loud explosions in the city as aircraft flew overhead."

When Sirte really does fall, we'll get quick confirmation. Looks like the opposition is using propaganda to undermine Gaddafi's remaining support.

[defendandprotect]

60. BBC confirmed it sometime after 1am --

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=756140&mesg_id=756382

[pinboy3niner]

66. Their last report cites "a rebel spokesman," but not confirmed

And there ARE foreign correspondents in Sirte. Here's the excerpt from the last BBC report:

Coalition air raids have hit the town of Sirte, Col Muammar Gaddafi's hometown and the next target of rebel forces advancing westwards.

...


Foreign correspondents in Sirte said they heard several loud explosions in the city as aircraft flew overhead.

A rebel spokesman in Benghazi has said Sirte is now in the hands of rebel forces - but there has been no independent confirmation of the claim.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12877319

[defendandprotect]

69. That internet report is from 27th -- looks like before 12pm ....

The report I heard on BBC was this morning -- 28th -- 1:17 --

Keep fingers crossed that we'll hear a more confirming report soon --

Would like to hear report on Misrata -- as allegedly having wiped up Sirte anti-G rebels

are on their way to Tripoli!!

TOP OF HOUR reports should be coming on in just 3-4 minutes --

I'm trying to watch both CNN and BBC --

[pinboy3niner]

72. BBC's 1:54am update says "uconfirmed rumors"

A lot of media are reporting the claim, but none reports confirmation yet.

[defendandprotect]

75. Agree -- was just looking at AlJ -- they say "rebels claim" ....

and if they had anything more presume they would have updated --

What's David Frost doing on AlJ interviewing someone from Benghazi?

Weird --

[joshcryer]

50. Obama is due to offer his first detailed account of his administration's rationale for Libya

7:04am Barack Obama, the US president, is due to offer his first detailed account of his administration's rationale for US military involvement in the international intervention in Libya this evening at 2330 GMT.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-28#update-20466

Al Jazeera is so goddamned balanced it's sickening. Look at how that sentence is phrased.

[tabatha]

52. Possibly he should postpone till Tuesday.

Maybe he will be able to say "Military operations in Libya have ended. The rebels have prevailed."

[joshcryer]

57. Haha, would be great. I bet he'll say something like "we're pulling out and the UN ops will be...

...over soon."

[defendandprotect]

62. Roughly sometime after 9am in Libya -- will tweets begin to pick up soon .... ??

Tried AlJazeera but commercials and coverage of how Obama is polling on Libya action!

[joshcryer]

63. Dunno, going to take a nap, 4-5 hours, sorry, got work in the morning.

Will post a 3rd thread when I wake up.

[tabatha]

65. Have a good rest. You need it for work.

[pinboy3niner]

71. We'll leave a light on for ya.

Oh, wait...that's that motel chain. :)

You know what I mean. Get some rest, Josh. :hi:

[tabatha]

64. In this thread with a theme about women - this is bad news.

7:24am

Doctors in the city of Ajdabiyah say that pro-Gaddafi forces have been raping women who have expressed support for the opposition.

Al Jazeera's Sue Turton filed this report from the city, where 175 people have been reported missing, many of them feared dead.

http://youtu.be/ISLz8Fv0eik

[defendandprotect]

73. Sad news --

and families hoping that they are still alive not even knowing where

they have been taken --

Viagra and condoms --

[bobbolink]

124. Isn't it strange how men often seem to think that rape will change womens' minds?

Especially in repressive societies.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how these women change this society as they become more out-spoken!

[Waiting For Everyman]

74. Tweets on Gadaffi shooting are a little more confirmed

@thisamericangrl justa girl
@Tripolitanian @changeinlibya can anyone confirm any of @endtyranny01 's tweets? if so, OMG!!!!!!!!
1 hour ago via web Favorite Retweet Reply
replies ↓
»

Tripolitanian Libyan
@thisamericangrl @changeinlibya @endtyranny01 confirmed!
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»

thisamericangrl justa girl
@Tripolitanian @ChangeInLibya @endtyranny01 I just don't want to spread rumors about Gaddafi's condition and Saif, etc. can i retweet that?
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»

Tripolitanian Libyan
@thisamericangrl @ChangeInLibya @endtyranny01 tweet it nice and clear, it's confirmed!
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»

thisamericangrl justa girl
@Tripolitanian @ChangeInLibya @endtyranny01 OMG OMG OMG OMG ALLAHU AKBAR!!!!!!!!
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply
»

Tripolitanian Libyan
@thisamericangrl @ChangeInLibya @endtyranny01 lol
1 hour ago


__________

It's half-baked yet, I know, and I think the news sources (even if it's 100% true) would be very slow and careful to confirm officially.

Another reason for hope: the rebels have two radio stations going as of a few days ago which they say are reaching to Tripoli (from Misurata I think and Benghazi if I remember right). Anyway, once the rebels get near Tripoli, if State TV is turned off and the news of Eman al Obeidi (the woman raped) gets out in Tripoli in a big way... people might really "snap" and turn on Gadaffi without a lot of fighting. HOPE SO.

Opposition should work on communications, imo. It could save lives. At least internet and cell phones would help a lot. I hope "they" are working on it right now.

[David__77]

77. Aside from the specific situation, this presents an interesting issue with information.

How should we as individuals "confirm" things? What sources to trust, and what criteria to apply? A book could and may be written about that using this current series of events and the relevant media.

[defendandprotect]

79. Trust Egyptians/Libyans will be writing "Revolution for Dummies" ... which we need -- !!

:)

[Waiting For Everyman]

91. Lol!

I'd buy that book. Maybe we could get a bulk discount for DU. :)

[bobbolink]

125. You all are great! I love waking to your good spirits and humor in the morning!

:grouphug:

[Waiting For Everyman]

89. I agree on that, it's really fascinating. I bet someone's writing that book right now.

And more than one would certainly be called for. Won't this make an interesting college course someday? Or several of them? Tech, Journalism, Psychology, numerous angles of looking at it.

[bobbolink]

126. Before that... we can now be doing Teach Ins!!

After all, what we're talking about here is the PEOPLE stepping up and taking control.

Let's roll!

[defendandprotect]

78. Hopeful -- and what might we make of G being near Algerian border ... was he fleeing?

Evidently he was beginning to see compound as a not very safe place to be?

Was just wondering ... when Gaddafi goes out, does he wear a disguise?

Thanks for the reports --

BBC even now 2:18 am 28th are saying only "Libyan rebels claim Sirte has fallen" --

:)

[Waiting For Everyman]

88. And a little more...

roaming_radical Nikolas Koehler
@EndTyranny01 an hour ago you CONFIRMED he was shot in neck. now knee. next foot? almost hit him? CONFIRM WHAT YOU CAN CONFIRM!
1 hour ago

LibyaCyrenaica R. by franyafranya
@roaming_radical the arabic words for knee and neck are very similar. He likely misheard the first time around.
1 hour ago

roaming_radical Nikolas Koehler
@LibyaCyrenaica @endtyranny01 understood. i apologize. confirmed FOR SURE?
1 hour ago

LibyaCyrenaica R.
@roaming_radical honestly, he's a legit source... I'd be hard pressed not to believe him, he only confirms word from the council
55 minutes ago

roaming_radical Nikolas Koehler
@LibyaCyrenaica k, well you're both gettin 1 new follower, i'll be keepin an eye on updates. ty!
56 minutes ago

LibyaCyrenaica R.
@roaming_radical np :)
46 minutes ago

[Waiting For Everyman]

80. Hey, Amonester

Happy Bday! :hi: Hope it's a great day for you! :toast:

And may your day be good for the Libyan revs too.

[pinboy3niner]

82. News, the way the Libyan authorities want it to be reported

Source: Channel 4 News

News, the way the Libyan authorities want it to be reported


Channel 4 News correspondent reveals the frustrations and restrictions faced by the foreign press pack


Jonathan Miller
The Guardian, Monday 28 March 2011

...


"All journalists to gather for bus trip to Bani Walid. You will meet members of the Warfallah tribe and some of the families of those killed in the bombing. The bus will be leaving in half an hour. You will be back in Tripoli early in the afternoon," he says.

The bus trips get to you, though. We're herded around like goats, usually to places we don't want to go – in which the Libyan government fails to produce a shred of evidence of the civilian casualties it claims are mounting as a result of the coalition air and missile strikes.

...


When you see entire schools whose pupils have all been apparently shepherded out to shout and scream and wave green scarves and Gaddafi pictures at our passing blue bus, the only comparison that comes to mind is North Korea.

...


Then we were to be taken across town to the house of a retired colonel who joined up again to fight "al-Qaida" in Benghazi and was killed 10 days ago. The bus breaks down. When we finally get there, we are greeted by what look like the same demonstrators we'd seen before lunch. And all the children from a local school, for good measure. North Korea.

...


There have been plenty of real casualties in the Libya war of 2011, but today, Dr Moussa's hapless government propaganda department has shot itself in the foot. Several times.


Jonathan Miller is a foreign affairs correspondent for Channel 4 News


http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/mar/28/news-libya-frustration-foreign-press

[tabatha]

83. Again?

They are still failing to prove anything. Jonathan Miller is pretty blunt.

[pinboy3niner]

84. This correspondent, Jonathan Miller, tried to defend Eman al-Obeidi at the hotel

His account of what happened is the best one I've seen. Here's an excerpt:

It was hard to get her story down though because a hotel waitress, brandishing a knife, was screaming back at her that she was betraying the Brother Leader. That she was a traitor.

Another "waiter", who normally serves us coffee and cold drinks, barged into cameramen who’d arrived at the scene, trying to stop them filming.

Government minders arrived.

These men are Gaddafi's thugs. The Financial Times correspondent, Charles Clover, who had just learned that he was to be summarily deported, bravely challenged the minders and the hotel staff, demanding they back off and leave Ms al-Obeidi alone.

For this Mr Clover was roughly manhandled, pushed and thrown to the floor and kicked. Another government minder, who had previously tried to interfere with our filming, punched me in the face and pushed me backwards over a chair.

I landed on my back, only to have another scuffle break out above me as the CNN crew grappled with other minders who were attempting to seize their camera.

The camera smashed and broke into pieces and the minders grabbed the memory cards.


http://www.channel4.com/news/libya-a-womans-cry-for-help-in-tripoli-hotel

[tabatha]

85. Thanks. I remember that.

The again was about a video I posted from Sky news when they could not find the house that was supposed to be bombed.

[Hannah Bell]

104. "the media lies about everything" - except libya.

[Turborama]

86. Al Jazeera English: Rape Used As A 'Weapon' In Libya

Just posted in the videos forum: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x567436

[pinboy3niner]

87. Nine large blasts shake Sirte, Libya

Source: Agence France Press (AFP)



Nine large blasts shake Sirte, Libya
AFP | Mar 28, 2011, 11.44am IST


SIRTE: Nine powerful explosions early Monday shook the city of Sirte as rebels closed in on loyalist troops holding Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's home town, a journalist reported.

The latest blasts followed two explosions on Sunday evening in the city, blamed by Libyan state television on an air raid by coalition forces.

Sirte, 360 kilometres (225 miles) east of Tripoli, is the next target of pro-democracy rebels as they push towards the capital from their eastern bastion Benghazi.

The streets of Sirte early on Monday morning were quiet and deserted, and it was not immediately possible to establish if the overnight bombings caused any damage.

An AFP reporter is part of a group of journalists invited by the Libyan regime to tour the city.

The explosions shattered the calm intermittently between 0420 GMT and 0435 GMT as warplanes flew overhead, indicating they were caused by coalition air strikes.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Nine-large-blasts-shake-Sirte-Libya/articleshow/7805194.cms

[Hannah Bell]

90. what a crock.

[pinboy3niner]

92. Reuters: SIRTE STILL IN GOVERNMENT HANDS

AJE reports:

More on those explosions reported in Sirte by AFP:

The nine blasts were heard between 6:20am and 6:35am, and occured as warplanes flew overheard, indicating that they were likely caused by coalition airstrikes.

AFP reports that other than those strikes, and two explosions reported on Sunday evening, the city was "quiet", and appeared deserted.

Reuters reports that according to a foreign journalist in the city, it is still in government hands, contradicting the opposition's claims.

Al Jazeera has so far not been able to independently verify whether or not the city has been taken.


8:16am:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-28#update-20441

[tcaudilllg]

93. If this is true... I don't think we can believe the rumor he's been shot.

It might have been spread by the opposition.

[pinboy3niner]

98. The propaganda has ramped up at this stage of the conflict

It looks like the opposition is using propaganda to try to undermine the remaining support for Gaddafi.

Tweets and Retweets reporting "confirmed" are meaningless unless you know personally--and trust--the sender, and he or she is telling you, "I saw this with my own eyes."

The shooting report may or may not be true, but we have no reason to believe it is just because there's a lot of twitter traffic about it. Even if it screams, "CONFIRMED!1!!" :)

[Waiting For Everyman]

102. Agree.

These are not reports, that's not what twitter is, they're only buzz - preliminary, a "heads up" that something may be coming. It always has to wait on news confirmation (because that's what their job is, it's what they do).

That is all a "given".

This is unfolding events, in a place that doesn't even have utilities or communication for the most part. But that's also why any news that gets out can't be thrown away out of hand. There isn't much, and you have to work with what you've got. Some people would rather just sit back and wait for the firm reports, and that's fine, but that really isn't in the spirit of what these live blog threads are. They're "of the moment", as it comes in.

Not a problem though. If the raw tweets are counterproductive, I can just watch them on my own until they're solid.

[pinboy3niner]

95. Al Jazeera: Some Gaddafi troops at Jalu have surrendered to opposition (NOT confirmed)

Al Jazeera's Sue Turton in Benghazi reports that an unspecified number of pro-Gaddafi forces in the oil town of Jalu, about 200km south of Ajdabiyah, have surrendered to opposition forces. Turton says that the pro-Gaddafi troops were apparently attempting to form a second front to the south of Ajdabiyah, but after the city fell, they gave themselves up.

On the opposition taking Sirte, she reported that she had spoken with a rebel fighter who claims that he was part of the force which took the city.


9:04am:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-28#update-20441


I saw this report live on AJE, and I was VERY disappointed with this reporter. AJE apparently decided not to repeat here here what she said--that she could call reports of taking Sirte now confirmed because she heard it both from the "rebel fighter" cited above AND from a council member!

I put absolutely NO credence in the report above, as it comes from someone who takes what an opposition member says as gospel--as long as it's confirmed by ANOTHER opposition member. Worst reporting I've seen on Al Jazeera... :puke:

[pinboy3niner]

97. Reports that rebels have taken Sirte unconfirmed and "could be premature"--The Guardian

The city of Sirte is a Gaddafi stronghold and was considered to be a difficult target for the rebels. But their advance towards the Libyan leader's home city was aided by the first international air strikes against the city.

However reports that the rebels have taken the town have not been confirmed and could be premature, according to our correspondent Ian Black.

Sirte was quiet on monday morinng after heavy bombardment from the pre-dawn hours and there was no sign it had been taken by the Benghazi-based rebels advancing from the east. It is rumoured that the outskirts have been mined. Sirte marks the boundary between eastern and western Libya and has great symbolic imoprtance as Muammar Gaddafi's hometown.

Witnesses in Sirte reported the sound of bombing at about 6.30am local time but there has been no fighting in the streets or signs of rebel forces.

A heavy bombardment of Tripoli also began late on Sunday, with at least nine loud explosions and witnesses reported the sound of anti-aircraft fire in the city.


8.18am:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/28/libya-arab-unrest-live-blog

[pinboy3niner]

99. "We've compiled a List of medical aid needed in Misurata, Please help...#Libya..."

This is from World Medical Camp for Libya, a charity created "to respond to the urgent and immediate need for medical aid in Libya":


We've compiled a List of medical aid needed in Misurata, Please help raising funds for it #Libya http://bit.ly/id6OZy

[pinboy3niner]

101. AFP: rebel advance westwards towards Tripoli was halted by troops loyal to Gaddafi...

AFP reports the rebel advance westwards towards Tripoli was halted by troops loyal to Gaddafi about 140 kilometres east of Sirte #Libya
less than a minute ago via TweetDeck
Neal Mann
fieldproducer

(Neal Mann is a freelance journalist)

[pinboy3niner]

105. Muammar WHO?

A report in the Financial Times suggests that Gaddafi's attempts to rally diplomatic and military support from sub-Saharan African countries has had little success.

It says the Libyan leader and his officials have been "on the telephone, cajoling and threatening allies to remain loyal in his hour of need."

However, despite being credited with providing around 15% of the financing for the African Union and channelling billions of dollars into up to 31 African countries, his manner has often rankled with others.

An anonymous African head of state, tells the FT that "The (African Union) could not take any decision without him trying to intervene." The president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has also called him arrogant and has frozen Libyan assets since the crisis began.

The Libyan leader is also reported to have sought to recruit fighters from militant groups in Niger, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan and Chad.


9.27am:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/28/libya-arab-unrest-live-blog

[pinboy3niner]

106. AJE, moments ago: Gaddafi forces holding opposition fighters back outside Sirte

"First real opposition the rebel forces have faced in the last 24 hours."

"For many, taking Tripoli is now the only thing that matters."

[CJvR]

107. Latest from Al-Jaz.

Some advanced reb units are in Sirte, but there are some fighting there.

Some Gaddafi units have been moving north to flank the rebel advance from the desert south of the main road.

Gaddafi loyalists south of Ajdabiya, at Jalu have surrendered after bombing.

Combat in Misurata continues.

[pinboy3niner]

108. "heard rebels are in Sirte...but not sure 'cause Gaddafi's soldiers firing rockets from Sirte"

Reuters reports that a "steady stream of <opposition fighters> in 4x4 pick-ups mounted with machineguns" has been seen heading towards Sirte.

"We heard from Benghazi that the rebels are in Sirte, but it is not for sure because Gaddafi's soldiers are firing rockets from Sirte," Mohamed, a 23-year-old fighter, told Reuters.


10:54am:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-28#update-20441

[David__77]

110. I do wonder if the rebels are stragically, centrally coordinated.

The rebel publicity seems a bit too transfixed on "rush to Tripoli." That may make sense if military and political conditions warrant it. I have no knowledge about that really. But if conditions do not warrant a fast march presently, then such publicity would tend to support bad military tactics, IF there is no central coordination guiding things.

I'd said before, when the rebels reentered Ajdabiya en masse, that the Tripoli leadership would be "wise" to withdraw forces from the east all the way to Sirte, for various reasons. Whether or not a semi-orderly retreat was possible or occurred, I do not know. But it's a possibility, among others. There are a lot of "unknowns" now, even to better strategists on the ground, I presume. These events have not run an "obvious" trajectory over time. The point is that there should be a distinction between using publicity to support good morale and allowing oneself to get disoriented with "success." Have contempt for enemies, but take them very seriously on the ground!

[Yosarian71]

115. "Front lines" and "Sirte taken"?

In an advance like the rebels have experienced with such a relatively small fighting force, the definitions of "front lines" and whether a city has been "taken" will be a bit murky. As another poster noted, it sounds like some rebel advance forces got into Sirte without opposition, but there are still some regime forces holed up in Sirte and there have also likely been some regime units bypassed along the way, that could later show up and cause trouble.

[joshcryer]

116. It sounds more like they set a trap for the rebels, giving them 3 cities only for them to think...

...Sirte was free. The 20 trucks "fleeing" Sirte were a good indication of that, trying to convince the revolutionaries to make their way inward. Classic trap. Given Benghazi and Adjabiya and the trojan horse that happened in Benghazi ("protesters" suddenly started shooting pro-democracy supporters in Benghazi) it isn't likely to work for those who made it in to Sirte (they would be expecting that sort of thing), but if it was an ambush as I describe things are still looking bad for the revolutionaries.

[pinboy3niner]

109. Libya Rebels Near Sirte as Jets Bomb Qaddafi Hometown

Soource: BusinessWeek

Libya Rebels Near Sirte as Jets Bomb Qaddafi Hometown
March 28, 2011, 4:28 AM EDT

By Ola Galal and Alaa Shahine


March 28 (Bloomberg) -- Libyan rebel forces advanced westward with support from NATO air strikes targeting Sirte, the hometown of Muammar Qaddafi, hours after the Western alliance agreed to take command of military operations from the U.S.

Nine explosions rocked the coastal town today as planes were heard overhead, according to an Agence France-Presse reporter in Sirte, who said armed forces loyal to Qaddafi were seen driving around the town in pickup trucks. Abdel Rahman Shalgham, Libya’s former ambassador to the United Nations, told Al Jazeera television that the rebels had taken control of Sirte, saying he got the information from opposition leaders.

The attacks on Sirte follow a rebel advance along Libya’s coast that saw them recapture the oil ports of Brega and Ras Lanuf, helped by U.S.-led aerial bombardment of government positions in the area. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization said yesterday it has taken over military control of the operation, though a U.S. official said the mission is restricted to the United Nations mandate to protect civilians and enforce an arms embargo, and doesn’t include aiding rebel forces seeking to recapture territory from Qaddafi.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-28/libya-rebels-near-sirte-as-jets-bomb-qaddafi-hometown.html

[pinboy3niner]

111. CNN's Arwa Damon reporting live from Ras Lanuf...

Says some of the homes appear to have set on fire by Gaddafi troops. Seeing a lot of fighters passing through, heading to the front. In the town, she saw rebel fighters waving French flags and an American flag, saying they want to thank them for the coalition's help.

[kenny blankenship]

127. But if they had managed to get into Benghazi they were going to be perfect gentlemen

they only had to shell it a bit from outside first, but they swear that would have been the extent of the unpleasantness.

[pinboy3niner]

128. Yeah--except for that zenga-zenga and 'no mercy' part

"House to house, alley to alley, door to door."

International intervention prevented a massacre in Benghazi. We saw what follows--though on a smaller scale--in Zawiyah, with all the young (military-aged) men rounded up and 'disappeared.'

[pinboy3niner]

112. Gaddafi's forces now about 19 miles outside Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte

FLASH: CORRECTED - Al Jazeera reports that Gaddafi's forces (not rebels) now about 30 km (19 miles) outside Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte
16 minutes ago via web
Retweeted by 62 people
.Reuters
Reuters Top News

[pinboy3niner]

113. Engagement reported 180 km east of Sirte, near Nofilia...opposition held off by shelling--Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera's Sue Turton says that early reports that opposition fighters had taken Sirte may have been down to scouts being able to get into the city without facing armed opposition.

There is currently an engagement about 180km east of Sirte, near the city of Nofilia, where it appears that some pro-Gaddafi troops were hiding out, and are now shelling areas near an opposition group, holding them 30km from Nofilia


11:18am:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-28#update-20441

[pinboy3niner]

114. Libyan rebels close on key Gadhafi stronghold

Libyan rebels close on key Gadhafi stronghold
Updated 4m ago

RAS LANOUF, Libya (AP) — Libya's rebel forces closed in Monday on Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte, the gateway to the western half of the country after it was targeted for the first time by international air strikes.

Witnesses in Sirte said that bombing was heard Sunday night and then again 6:30 a.m. local time, but there was no fighting in the streets or signs of rebel forces. The night before dozens of fighters loyal to Gadhafi could be seen roaming the streets.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-03-28-libya_N.htm

[defendandprotect]

118. LIBYA HURRA!!

[joshcryer]

117. Part 3 here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x756874