Airstrikes help rebels retake city of Ajdabiya
Source: Agencies |
March 27, 2011, Sunday
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LIBYAN rebels regained control of the eastern gateway city of Ajdabiya yesterday after international airstrikes crippled Moammar Gadhafi's forces, in the first major turnaround for an uprising that a week ago appeared on the verge of defeat. In a western city the opposition lost to Gadhafi, a resident said security agents had lists of rebel sympathizers and were dragging them from their homes.
Drivers honked in celebration and flew the tricolor rebel flag. Others in the city fired their guns into the air and danced on burned-out tanks that littered the road. Inside a building that had served as makeshift barracks for pro-Gadhafi forces, hastily discarded uniforms were piled on the floor.
"Without the planes we couldn't have done this. Gadhafi's weapons are at a different level than ours," said Ahmed Faraj, 38, a rebel fighter from Ajdabiya. "With the help of the planes we are going to push onward to Tripoli, God willing."
Ajdabiya's sudden fall to Gadhafi's troops spurred the swift UN resolution authorizing international action in Libya, and its return to rebel hands came after a week of airstrikes and missiles against the Libyan leader's military.
Saif Sadawi, a 20-year-old rebel fighter with an RPG in his hands, said the city's eastern gate fell late on Friday and the western gate fell at dawn yesterday after airstrikes on both locations.
"All of Ajdabiya is free," he said.
The UN Security Council authorized the operation to protect civilians after Gadhafi launched attacks against anti-government protesters who demanded he step down after 42 years in power. The airstrikes have sapped the strength of his forces, but rebel advances have foundered. The two sides have been at stalemate in key cities.
The government accused international forces of choosing sides and directly attacking Gadhafi's troops.
"This is the objective of the coalition now, it is not to protect civilians because they know they are directly fighting against the armed forces," said Khaled Kaim, the deputy foreign minister. "They are trying to push the country to the brink of a civil war."
Earlier Friday, British and French warplanes hit near Ajdabiya, destroying an artillery battery and armored vehicles. Ajdabiya, the gateway to the opposition's eastern stronghold, and the western city of Misrata have especially suffered because the rebels lack the heavy weapons to lift Gadhafi's siege.
Drivers honked in celebration and flew the tricolor rebel flag. Others in the city fired their guns into the air and danced on burned-out tanks that littered the road. Inside a building that had served as makeshift barracks for pro-Gadhafi forces, hastily discarded uniforms were piled on the floor.
"Without the planes we couldn't have done this. Gadhafi's weapons are at a different level than ours," said Ahmed Faraj, 38, a rebel fighter from Ajdabiya. "With the help of the planes we are going to push onward to Tripoli, God willing."
Ajdabiya's sudden fall to Gadhafi's troops spurred the swift UN resolution authorizing international action in Libya, and its return to rebel hands came after a week of airstrikes and missiles against the Libyan leader's military.
Saif Sadawi, a 20-year-old rebel fighter with an RPG in his hands, said the city's eastern gate fell late on Friday and the western gate fell at dawn yesterday after airstrikes on both locations.
"All of Ajdabiya is free," he said.
The UN Security Council authorized the operation to protect civilians after Gadhafi launched attacks against anti-government protesters who demanded he step down after 42 years in power. The airstrikes have sapped the strength of his forces, but rebel advances have foundered. The two sides have been at stalemate in key cities.
The government accused international forces of choosing sides and directly attacking Gadhafi's troops.
"This is the objective of the coalition now, it is not to protect civilians because they know they are directly fighting against the armed forces," said Khaled Kaim, the deputy foreign minister. "They are trying to push the country to the brink of a civil war."
Earlier Friday, British and French warplanes hit near Ajdabiya, destroying an artillery battery and armored vehicles. Ajdabiya, the gateway to the opposition's eastern stronghold, and the western city of Misrata have especially suffered because the rebels lack the heavy weapons to lift Gadhafi's siege.
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