Fierce fighting in Sirte continues
- 13 years ago
The battle for the Libyan city of Sirte continues.
One of the last remaining strongholds of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, it has become a scene of heavy fighting.
On Saturday, soldiers under the banner of Libya's interim government poured into the town - some on foot, others behind the wheels of converted pickup trucks and on tanks.
But once again they met heavy resistance from tribesmen loyal to Gaddafi.
The advance was also complicated by a sandstorm and the thousands of people trapped inside the town, say commanders.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ANTI-GADDAFI FIELD COMMANDER ON WESTERN FRONTLINE OF SIRTE MOHAMMAD HAMUDA
"We wanted to advance but we are worried about the families that haven't got out. The families who still haven't fled are an obstacle for us, because we don't want them to be harmed."
Sirte, Gaddafi's birthplace, has been besieged for weeks and aid agencies warn residents are facing severe shortages of food, water and fuel.
People escaping the town also say they've been caught in the crossfire between pro- and anti-Gaddafi forces.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FLEEING SIRTE RESIDENT ABDEL RAHIM HASSAN SAYING:
"There was a lot of bombing, NATO bombing by night and bombing by day. We stayed in our homes and didn't go out. When the house across from us collapsed, we left."
Libya's National Transitional Council and its commanders remain confident of taking Sirte and the other major pro-Gaddafi stronghold, Bani Walid.
But nearly six weeks after Gaddafi was removed from power, the going remains slow.
Andrew Raven, Reuters.
One of the last remaining strongholds of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, it has become a scene of heavy fighting.
On Saturday, soldiers under the banner of Libya's interim government poured into the town - some on foot, others behind the wheels of converted pickup trucks and on tanks.
But once again they met heavy resistance from tribesmen loyal to Gaddafi.
The advance was also complicated by a sandstorm and the thousands of people trapped inside the town, say commanders.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ANTI-GADDAFI FIELD COMMANDER ON WESTERN FRONTLINE OF SIRTE MOHAMMAD HAMUDA
"We wanted to advance but we are worried about the families that haven't got out. The families who still haven't fled are an obstacle for us, because we don't want them to be harmed."
Sirte, Gaddafi's birthplace, has been besieged for weeks and aid agencies warn residents are facing severe shortages of food, water and fuel.
People escaping the town also say they've been caught in the crossfire between pro- and anti-Gaddafi forces.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FLEEING SIRTE RESIDENT ABDEL RAHIM HASSAN SAYING:
"There was a lot of bombing, NATO bombing by night and bombing by day. We stayed in our homes and didn't go out. When the house across from us collapsed, we left."
Libya's National Transitional Council and its commanders remain confident of taking Sirte and the other major pro-Gaddafi stronghold, Bani Walid.
But nearly six weeks after Gaddafi was removed from power, the going remains slow.
Andrew Raven, Reuters.