• Gaddafi forces beat back rebels, besiege Misrata again
    49 replies, posted
[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13732753[/url] [quote=BBC News][b]A renewed barrage of shelling by Libyan troops around Misrata has left about 17 dead and at least 60 wounded, according to hospital doctors in the rebel-held city.[/b] Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have been pounding Misrata throughout the day. The city is the main rebel stronghold in western Libya, and has the country's largest port. Witnesses report no activity in the area by Nato aircraft. Tanks, artillery and incendiary rockets bombarded rebel positions at Dafniya, about 18 miles (30km) west of the city, said a doctor at Hikma Hospital in Misrata, speaking to Associated Press news agency. Misrata has been the scene of some of the heaviest fighting of the Libyan unrest. It endured 70 days of siege by pro-Gaddafi forces until Nato air raids broke the siege three weeks ago, enabling the rebels to break out. Government forces have pushed back against those territorial gains. They surround Misrata on all sides but the north, where the Mediterranean Sea provides a vital conduit for supplies from the rebel-held east. Meanwhile in Norway, military officials have announced their the country would scale down its fighter jet contribution to the Nato force flying above Libya, from six planes to four. It will withdraw completely from the Nato-led operation by August. The alliance decided last week to extend the Libyan mission for 90 days, into late September. Speaking shortly before the Norwegian announcement, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates strongly criticised some Nato allies, in his last major speech before he retires later this month. Mr Gates said operations in Libya and Afghanistan had exposed shortcomings in the military capability and political will of some members.[/quote]
FUCK!
Gah, this is just terrible news.
The Libyan Civil War is won and lost on the ground, not the air. Let's hope that the rebels can get their shit together in short order. Silly yaik9a
This war has so many twists!
I wonder exactly what will happen with the NATO forces should Gaddafi manage to defeat the rebels.
[QUOTE=The Pretender;30377858]This war has so many twists![/QUOTE] That's because it's a war. Look at any war and you'll find numerous battles won and lost by both sides.
Yes Gaddafi is finally beating back the rebels!
[QUOTE=The Pretender;30377858]This war has so many twists![/QUOTE]It's like an M. Night Shyamalan movie!
And then we learn that Bin Laden is Gadaffi?
Why doesn't Italy just invade and the NATO countries can invade too. Isn't that what they had in mind in the first place?
[QUOTE=cyclocius;30380203]And then we learn that Bin Laden is Gadaffi?[/QUOTE] "No! I must kill Al Quaeda" "No, Gadhafi. You are Al Quaeda" And then Gadhafi was Bin Laden.
[QUOTE=crackberry;30384684]Why doesn't Italy just invade and the NATO countries can invade too. Isn't that what they had in mind in the first place?[/QUOTE] No, fuck no. Hell no. NATO(US) is already caught up with a decade long war in aghanistan, and a war in Iraq that didn't need to happen, the last thing we want is to put boots on the ground in libya and start another war, fuck up every standing modern structure in that country, and then have to pay to rebuild it all. War is expensive.
[QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;30384833]No, fuck no. Hell no. NATO(US) is already caught up with a decade long war in aghanistan, and a war in Iraq that didn't need to happen, the last thing we want is to put boots on the ground in libya and start another war, fuck up every standing modern structure in that country, and then have to pay to rebuild it all. War is expensive.[/QUOTE] Dropping bombs from jets is okay but boots on the ground is not? That's why Operation Allied Force failed to do any real damage against the Serbs. At least here in Libya the rebels are providing a (mediocre) ground component to exploit the gains by NATO air power, as best as they can. Not that I advocate American adventurism in the past decade, but coming in primarily by using air power is not the right way to go. [editline]11th June 2011[/editline] One of the common attitudes I see among most people is that they see the use of NATO members’ air forces as a “clean”, “low casualty” and “risk/consequence-free” method to conduct military action. “Libya? We’ll bomb the shit out of Gaddafi and he can’t do anything about it! Total win for us! It's totally the best method of conducting military action!”
[QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;30384833]No, fuck no. Hell no. NATO(US) is already caught up with a decade long war in aghanistan, and a war in Iraq that didn't need to happen, the last thing we want is to put boots on the ground in libya and start another war, fuck up every standing modern structure in that country, and then have to pay to rebuild it all. War is expensive.[/QUOTE] I really hope you go in there and trigger a 10 year guerilla war and the people (who have not already realised) realise that it's stupid as fuck to charge in everywhere.
[QUOTE=Falchion;30385079]I really hope you go in there and trigger a 10 year guerilla war and the people (who have not already realised) realise that it's stupid as fuck to charge in everywhere.[/QUOTE] Gaddafi already declared war on Italy, then at least the Italians can send some ground troops. [editline]11th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;30384833]No, fuck no. Hell no. NATO(US) is already caught up with a decade long war in aghanistan, and a war in Iraq that didn't need to happen, the last thing we want is to put boots on the ground in libya and start another war, fuck up every standing modern structure in that country, and then have to pay to rebuild it all. War is expensive.[/QUOTE] Uh, sure, NATO is the US: [img]http://i.imgur.com/GPwuQ.png[/img] I don't think so.
We need to give them better arms, and shit like toyota trucks aren't going to help for either sides.
[QUOTE=Falchion;30385079]I really hope you go in there and trigger a 10 year guerilla war and the people (who have not already realised) realise that it's stupid as fuck to charge in everywhere.[/QUOTE] Guerrilla war against who? The rebels we're helping? Unless for some reason they decide to turn against us (can't imagine one), that won't happen. Hell, the UK already has regular talks with the National Transitional Council.
go fuck them up nato, you can do this
[QUOTE=Megafanx13;30389556] Uh, sure, NATO is the US: [img]http://i.imgur.com/GPwuQ.png[/img] I don't think so.[/QUOTE] To quote myself from the other thread: [QUOTE=Boba_Fett;30377995] Half of NATO's ships used in the initial attack were from the US and 66 percent of the personnel, 50 percent of the aircraft and 93 percent of the cruise missiles also came from the US. In addition, we also cover 25 percent of their expenditures. Source: [url]http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dennis-j-kucinich/flashback-to-the-campaign_b_866759.html[/url][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Boba_Fett;30389853]To quote myself from the other thread:[/QUOTE] It's a military alliance man, no kidding the nation with the largest military in the group will do a lot of the fighting. The point is this wasn't our idea or suggestion, but it is our obligation to help the UK and France, since we are in a alliance.
They're never going to kick out Gaddafi by September at this rate. I smell a new diplomatic crisis.
[QUOTE=Megafanx13;30389585]Guerrilla war against who? The rebels we're helping? Unless for some reason they decide to turn against us (can't imagine one), that won't happen. Hell, the UK already has regular talks with the National Transitional Council.[/QUOTE] Nope. The US can't get involved on the ground without stealing resources or trying to install a puppet government and kicking off an insurgency Didn't you know?
[QUOTE=JaegerMonster;30395972]Nope. The US can't get involved on the ground without stealing resources or trying to install a puppet government and kicking off an insurgency Didn't you know?[/QUOTE] No, I didn't. Because it isn't true.
[QUOTE=Ignhelper;30389577]We need to give them better arms, and shit like toyota trucks aren't going to help for either sides.[/QUOTE] Toyota trucks are all you will ever need.
Good. I hope Gaddafi keeps up.
[QUOTE=Ringo_Satu;30406765]Good. I hope Gaddafi keeps up.[/QUOTE] I hope Gaddafi's troops rape you, like all the innocent women. On an related note, we should send some troops there which train the rebels
[QUOTE=crackberry;30384684]Why doesn't Italy just invade and the NATO countries can invade too. Isn't that what they had in mind in the first place?[/QUOTE] I do very much agree. But, it's not that simple. Politicians are more concerned about their looks and votes that what is right and correct. [editline]12th June 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Tac Error;30377834]The Libyan Civil War is won and lost on the ground, not the air. [/QUOTE] I believe Erwin Rommel once said [i]"“The future battle on the ground will be preceded by battle in the air. This will determine which of the contestants has to suffer operational and tactical disadvantages and be forced throughout the battle into adoption compromise solutions.”[/i] But I do very much agree the Rebel ground forces need help otherwise Libya will suffer greater losses.
[QUOTE=-n3o-;30407267]I believe Erwin Rommel once said [i]"“The future battle on the ground will be preceded by battle in the air. This will determine which of the contestants has to suffer operational and tactical disadvantages and be forced throughout the battle into adoption compromise solutions.”[/i][/QUOTE] I am not saying that the ground is bounds more important than the struggle in the air, but we have overstated the abilities of air power in this day and age due to past experiences of it in Desert Storm, for example which can be regarded as a "curb-stomp beatup" than a "war". NATO jets are "nice to have", but if the rebels lose due to being defeated on the ground then all those air strikes will be for naught.
[QUOTE=Megafanx13;30396063]No, I didn't. Because it isn't true.[/QUOTE] ((p.s i was being sarcastic))
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