Libyan rebels blast NATO as airstrikes kill 2
Source: Agencies |
April 8, 2011, Friday
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REBEL fighters claimed NATO airstrikes blasted their forces yesterday in another apparent mistake that sharply escalated anger about coordination with the military alliance in efforts to cripple Libyan forces. At least two rebels were killed and more than a dozen injured, a doctor said.
The attack - near the front lines outside the eastern oil port of Brega - would be the second accidental NATO strike against rebel forces in less than a week and brought cries of outrage from fighters struggling against Moammar Gadhafi's larger and more experienced military.
"Down, down with NATO," shouted one fighter as dozens of rebel vehicles raced eastward from the front toward the rebel-held city of Ajbadiya.
Later, hundreds of cars poured out of Ajbadiya toward the de facto rebel capital Benghazi amid fears that pro-Gadhafi forces could use the disarray among rebel units to advance.
In Brussels, a NATO official said the alliance will look into the latest rebel claims.
NATO also dismissed Libyan claims that British warplanes struck the country's largest oil field, saying the attacks were carried out by government forces.
A rebel commander, Ayman Abdul-Karim, said he saw airstrikes hit tanks and a rebel convoy, which included a passenger bus carrying fighters toward Brega. A doctor at Ajbadiya Hospital, Hakim al-Abeidi, said at least two people were killed and 16 injured, some with serious burns. Other rebel leaders said other casualties were left in the field in the chaos to flee the area.
Last Saturday, a NATO airstrike killed 13 rebel fighters in eastern Libya. An opposition spokesman described it as an "unfortunate accident." The attack occurred about 30 kilometers from Brega, where rebels have struggled to break through government lines.
Rebels also have turned to the oil fields under their control as a source of money for weapons and supplies. But sustained attacks on the main rebel-held oil fields have crippled production. Libya claimed British jets waged the bombings.
Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said that "British war planes" struck Sarir, killing three guards and wounding other workers while also damaging field equipment and an oil pipeline.
NATO, however, dismissed the claims, blaming Gadhafi's forces. "We are aware that pro-Gadhafi forces have attacked this area in recent days," said Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard, who commands the allied operation.
The attack - near the front lines outside the eastern oil port of Brega - would be the second accidental NATO strike against rebel forces in less than a week and brought cries of outrage from fighters struggling against Moammar Gadhafi's larger and more experienced military.
"Down, down with NATO," shouted one fighter as dozens of rebel vehicles raced eastward from the front toward the rebel-held city of Ajbadiya.
Later, hundreds of cars poured out of Ajbadiya toward the de facto rebel capital Benghazi amid fears that pro-Gadhafi forces could use the disarray among rebel units to advance.
In Brussels, a NATO official said the alliance will look into the latest rebel claims.
NATO also dismissed Libyan claims that British warplanes struck the country's largest oil field, saying the attacks were carried out by government forces.
A rebel commander, Ayman Abdul-Karim, said he saw airstrikes hit tanks and a rebel convoy, which included a passenger bus carrying fighters toward Brega. A doctor at Ajbadiya Hospital, Hakim al-Abeidi, said at least two people were killed and 16 injured, some with serious burns. Other rebel leaders said other casualties were left in the field in the chaos to flee the area.
Last Saturday, a NATO airstrike killed 13 rebel fighters in eastern Libya. An opposition spokesman described it as an "unfortunate accident." The attack occurred about 30 kilometers from Brega, where rebels have struggled to break through government lines.
Rebels also have turned to the oil fields under their control as a source of money for weapons and supplies. But sustained attacks on the main rebel-held oil fields have crippled production. Libya claimed British jets waged the bombings.
Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said that "British war planes" struck Sarir, killing three guards and wounding other workers while also damaging field equipment and an oil pipeline.
NATO, however, dismissed the claims, blaming Gadhafi's forces. "We are aware that pro-Gadhafi forces have attacked this area in recent days," said Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard, who commands the allied operation.
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