Libyan rebels push towards Zlitan

Rebel forces in Misrata say they are making gains amid heavy fighting, while minefields hamper progress in battle for Brega Libyan rebel forces in Misrata, supported by Nato air strikes, launched an offensive towards the government-held town of Zlitan on Wednesday morning, with fighters saying they were making gains amid heavy fighting. “We are now one and a half kilometres from Zlitan,” said a rebel fighter, Mohammed Ashanobah, of the Shaheed (Martyr) Brigade. “The revolutionaries attacked at eight this morning.” In eastern Libya, rebels continue to try to capture Brega, a key government-held town that is home to an oil refinery. They said they were being hampered in their efforts by extensive minefields. Nato said it destroyed six government artillery pieces around Misrata on Monday and planes hit a further 12 targets on Tuesday, marking a sharp escalation in alliance air strikes around the besieged city. Hikma hospital in Misrata reported seven fighters killed and 14 wounded by midday. Tripoli issued no casualty figures. Among the wounded were two government soldiers brought to the hospital for treatment by the man who shot them. Hiden Hassan, 37, another Shaheed Brigade fighter, said the two soldiers had driven towards them as they advanced. “They came in a Toyota and they were shooting at us,” he said. “We fired back. The Toyota stopped and they jumped out, still firing their weapons. So I shot at them, I hit them both in the legs.” He said he called on his comrades to drag the wounded men behind the frontline, and then accompanied them in a rebel pickup truck to the hospital. “They are Muslims, I am Muslim, they are Libyans, I am Libyan,” he said. “It was my duty to help.” Rebel units have failed to break the six-week deadlock around the city, and the latest offensive is important politically and militarily. Together with the Brega offensive, the rebel National Transitional Council in Benghazi hope to demonstrate to coalition forces that they can win the war and avert talk of a compromise political solution that may divide the country. Libya Middle East Chris Stephen guardian.co.uk

Posted by on July 20, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.