First rebels enter Tripoli from the west. No resistance as first neighborhood liberated. WARNING: Ma
614 replies, posted
Well so much for the huge bloody battle I was expecting, this really seems to have gone fairly smooth for the rebels.
[release]
[img]http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/08/21/1226118/917302-libyan-rebels-advance.jpg[/img]
[b][i]A tank bearing the rebel flag fires on a target in Zawiya. Picture:AP[/i][/b]
-Rebels enter Tripoli by sea in covert operation
-Libyan Government calls for immediate ceasefire
-Rolling updates: Fighting in Libya as rebels advance
EXPLOSIONS and heavy gunfire rocked Tripoli overnight as rebels cut off supply lines to the capital and as battles raged between forces loyal to leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and the forces challenging his rule.
The rebels entered Tripoli by sea in a covert operation launched from their western enclave of Misrata, a rebel spokesman said, after a series of NATO bombing strikes throughout the day pounded the capital.
The rebels claim to have seized key towns surrounding Tripoli, and say they are advancing on the capital from the west.
Hundreds of rebel fighters entered and took control of an army barracks at a western entrance to Tripoli, raiding arms and ammunition from the military base, which lies some 27 kilometers from the capital on the road from Zawiya, according to AFP.
[img]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/08/21/1226119/230243-libyan-rebels.jpg[/img]
[b][i]A Libyan rebel runs for cover during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli. Picture: AFP[/i][/b]
The rebels also released dozens of prisoners held in the nearby village of Maya, 25 kilometers west of the capital, driving pale and emaciated detainees away from the facility in the middle of a clash around the jail, AFP said. Sky News earlier reported that the rebels encountered little resistance as they passed into the town and advanced toward Tripoli.
The rebels' offensive had prompted the Libyan government to call for an immediate cease-fire.
"We are here to, sincerely as always, appeal for an immediate cease-fire, an immediate halt of NATO's aggression against our nation, and for all parties to sit down and begin a peaceful way out of this crisis," government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim told a news conference in Tripoli.
"We believe unless the international community heeds this appeal, many people will be killed and terrible crimes will be committed inside several Libyan cities," he added.
With rebel forces advancing on Tripoli, Ibrahim said those who oppose Gaddafi had no "moral record," adding that if the rebels overran Tripoli they would not bring any "political agenda" to the city.
Residents said that anti-Gaddafi protesters, urged by text messages asking them to join the revolution, had gathered on the streets.
"We can hear shooting in different places," said one. "Most of the regions of the city have gone out, mostly young people ... It's the uprising ... They went out after breaking the [Ramadan] fast."
[img]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/08/21/1226119/230723-libyan-rebels.jpg[/img]
[b][i]A Libyan woman raises a rifle as tens of thousands of Libyans celebrate what the rebels claim to be the first uprising in Tripoli against the regime of leader Muammar Gaddafi, at Freedom Square in Benghazi. Picture: AFP[/i][/b]
The fighting inside Tripoli, combined with the rebel advance toward the city's outskirts, appeared to signal a decisive moment in Libya's six-month conflict.
Within Tripoli, a senior opposition figure claimed rebels had taken the eastern suburb of Tajoura and were fighting for control of the Mitiga airbase in the north.
There were also fierce clashes near the Souq al Juma area and the Fashloum district of the city.
Gaddafi himself reacted defiantly by denouncing the rebels and insisting the unrest in the capital had been crushed.
"We congratulate you on eliminating the remnants of the rats who spread around [Tripoli] tonight, and who were confronted by the people," he said on state TV.
Gaddafi's defiance was echoed by his son Saif al Islam, who said in a speech aired Sunday that the regime would not "abandon the fight" against the rebels.
The rebels have launched an operation called "Mermaid, which they hope will isolate Gaddafi and force his surrender or departure, a rebel spokesman told AFP.
Spokesman Ahmed Jibril said "operation Mermaid" is a joint effort between the Benghazi-based rebel Transitional National Council, insurgents fighting in and around Tripoli and NATO forces.
"The operation is also in coordination with NATO," he said, adding it would last several days "until we surround Gaddafi" to force him "either to surrender or to escape."
[img]http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/08/21/1226119/231075-libyan-rebels.jpg[/img]
[b][i]Libyan rebels run for cover during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli. Picture: AFP[/i][/b]
Meanwhile, a Libyan TV presenter appeared on screen brandishing a firearm, telling viewers that she was ready to die fighting against the rebels.
Gaddafi's regime has been hit by a series of high-profile defections, including former premier Abdessalam Jalloud.
Jalloud, who has fled to Italy, added to the pressure on Gaddafi in statements broadcast Sunday on Al Jazeera, calling on his supporters to disown him, saying the "tyrant" will go and that "the noose has tightened around him."
http://www.news.com.au/world/explosions-rock-tripoli-as-rebel-forces-advance-on-capital/story-e6frfkzr-1226119325920[/release]
The rebels have some serious hardware on their side. Go Go Rebels!
Any updates?
[QUOTE=carcarcargo;31876291]Well so much for the huge bloody battle I was expecting, this really seems to have gone fairly smooth for the rebels.[/QUOTE]
They still need to take the palace, this could be where it gets dangerous for them.
Also, someone has hacked the Libyan domain registry website. [url]http://nic.ly/[/url]
[QUOTE=Jsm;31878286]They still need to take the palace, this could be where it gets dangerous for them.
Also, someone has hacked the Libyan domain registry website. [url]http://nic.ly/[/url][/QUOTE]
I saw a report on that and immediately they reported something along the lines of:
"It is not sure if Anonymous has anything to do with Electr0n"
Like Anonymous is the pinnacle of hacking and does all the hacking ever. Go media.
"We are here to, sincerely as always, appeal for an immediate cease-fire, an immediate halt of NATO's aggression against our nation, and for all parties to sit down and begin a peaceful way out of this crisis," government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim told a news conference in Tripoli.
Maybe you guys should have thought of that before you started killing everyone. :v:
[QUOTE=AzureAngelic;31878444]"We are here to, sincerely as always, appeal for an immediate cease-fire, an immediate halt of NATO's aggression against our nation, and for all parties to sit down and begin a peaceful way out of this crisis," government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim told a news conference in Tripoli.
Maybe you guys should have thought of that before you started killing everyone. :v:[/QUOTE]
And before you started breaking every cease-fire and good will gesture you ever made.
I really doubt either NATO or the rebels will believe anything the current regime has to say.
Let's see Ringo_Satu say Gaddafi is great and the rebels are trouble makers who had it great under Gaddafi's regime now.
I hope they used this thing (if it still was usable)
[video=youtube;Xlfl31SJYiA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlfl31SJYiA[/video]
[QUOTE=Miskav;31878516]And before you started breaking every cease-fire and good will gesture you ever made.
I really doubt either NATO or the rebels will believe anything the current regime has to say.[/QUOTE]
I really doubt that any political entity will belive anything that Gadaffi's regime has to say.
Rebels have captured the TV station, Libyan state TV is off the air
From the BBC:
1525:
Libyan rebel TV, broadcasting from Doha, reports that pro-Gaddafi forces are withdrawing towards Bishr, east of Brega, under intensive fire.
Saadi al-Gaddafi has been captured. Three of Gaddafi's seven sons are now in custody, and two, Khamis and Saif al-Arab, were reportedly killed in Nato strikes in recent months but it's unknown whether these reports were true or not.
[editline]22nd August 2011[/editline]
[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12531442]Gaddafi family tree[/url]
[QUOTE=Megafanx13;31866619]Only one source claiming that the rebellion's failing? Citing pro-government officials?
Somehow I don't think this is credible.[/QUOTE]
Remember what she said. It might not be true, but it can be true. It's always important to consider everything so that you don't grow bias.
[QUOTE=smurfy;31879541]Saadi al-Gaddafi has been captured. Three of Gaddafi's seven sons are now in custody, and two, Khamis and Saif al-Arab, were reportedly killed in Nato strikes in recent months but it's unknown whether these reports were true or not.
[editline]22nd August 2011[/editline]
[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12531442]Gaddafi family tree[/url][/QUOTE]
When they get Gadaffi's second wife they really need to ask her if she's Bosnian/Herzegovian or Libyan. It's a decades long myth that was sparked in here when they got married.
It would really suck now, to be on the rebels side and die trying to get one of the last Gaddafi areas when the war is just days away from being completely over.
[url]http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-22-2011-2122[/url]
Mohammad Gaddafi has reportedly escaped from custody aided by loyalist fighters
Just seen the BBC report on the telly, according to their reporter embedded with a Rebel convoy, there's still a fair number of Pro-Gadhaffi troops operating in the area. Surprised the supposed 20mm AAA that fired at them didn't tear them apart, the camera man looked like he wanted to bail and I'm sure I saw piss stains on the reporter's pants.
President is speaking.
[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;31882560]President is speaking.[/QUOTE]
What's being said?
[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;31882621]What's being said?[/QUOTE]
Awesome job well done rebels.
[QUOTE=Morbo!!!;31882463]Just seen the BBC report on the telly, according to their reporter embedded with a Rebel convoy, there's still a fair number of Pro-Gadhaffi troops operating in the area. Surprised the supposed 20mm AAA that fired at them didn't tear them apart, the camera man looked like he wanted to bail and I'm sure I saw piss stains on the reporter's pants.[/QUOTE]
If you listen carefully you can hear him (or someone with a British accent anyway) calling for the car to stop. War reporters really are crazy people, I don't think I'd be able to be in that situation and create a TV report.
New thread music.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II04E2GEJG8[/media]
[QUOTE=Jsm;31882954]If you listen carefully you can hear him (or someone with a British accent anyway) calling for the car to stop. War reporters really are crazy people, I don't think I'd be able to be in that situation and create a TV report.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I noticed that. Takes a fair few balls to go around unarmed in a warzone.
And if you have a large camera, some helicopter pilot probably will mistake it for an ak47 and shoot you and your friends.
As opposed to the rest of the guys in the technicals who DO have AK47s :v:
[url]http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFC6E7JA01I20110822[/url]
Al Jazeera believes the body of Khamis Gaddafi may have been found, along with that of Abdullah Senussi, Gaddafi's brother-in-law who is described on Wikipedia as having a "reputation for brutality"
[editline]22nd August 2011[/editline]
BBC reports the TV presenter who brandished a gun and vowed to defend her studio may have been captured
[editline]22nd August 2011[/editline]
CNN has confirmed the TV presenter is in rebel custody and unharmed
[editline]22nd August 2011[/editline]
Another scud missile has been fired from Sirte but no info yet on the target
Also apparently the Misrati rebels have found an uncontested road to Tripoli so hundreds more rebels are moving in.
Lets hope that those scuds are horribly inaccurate.
Also I wonder if Gaddafi is holding up in his birth place (Sirte), I mean they found Saddam in his birth place.
This still seems surreal to me because it happened so suddenly. Just two days ago I was expecting them to take maybe a week to reach the outskirts of Tripoli and then there would be a fierce battle across the city
But it just instantly collapsed and it's so weird to be seeing Green Square filled with rebels and stuff
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