Gaddafi’s forces kill 22 rebels in Libyan city Misrata as conflict escalates

Attack launched as a response to Thursday’s airstrikes by Nato helicopters on communications and military positions Muammar Gaddafi has raised the stakes in the conflict with Nato, responding to air strikes by Apache helicopters with the heaviest bombardment of the besieged rebel enclave of Misrata in two months. Rockets and mortar shells rained down on opposition positions around the ruined village of Dafniya, leaving 22 rebels dead, the highest toll since they took control of the city in mid-April. A stream of ambulances brought the dead and wounded to the city’s Hikma hospital. Bodies arrived with limbs missing, accompanied by the shouts of medics, the thud of Grad rockets and the wail of prayers from mosques. “The frontline is like hell,” said Feras Mohammed, a 20-year-old medic who accompanied a badly injured soldier in an ambulance. On the frontline, trees were set on fire by the constant stream of grads and rockets. Gaddafi’s forces launched an infantry attack supported by four tanks which was repulsed by rebel fighters, who then pushed on into Gaddafi-held territory for six miles. “We attacked them and caught two tanks which we destroyed,” said a fighter, Mohamed Khalid. Nato helicopters made a series of strikes on communications and military positions outside Misrata on Thursday night. But when Gaddafi forces replied with the morning attack, Nato planes were nowhere to be seen. Rebel commanders have repeatedly complained that Nato has ignored requests for air support. “The tanks were clear for Nato. I don’t know why Nato didn’t bomb. They were very easy to see,” said Khalid. Nearby, 20-year-old hospital porter Ali Buzet sat wailing after his cousin was brought in with wounds to his head, face, stomach and legs from a grad rocket strike. Standing amid the chaos dressed in a spotless white uniform and red headscarf, nurse Mona Felag was close to tears. “The only wounds are rocket wounds, rocket wounds and mortar wounds, no bullet wounds. That is how Gaddafi’s forces fight. They are not men, they are not real men.” The bombardment lasted all day. The thunder of rocket and mortar fire was so constant that for long periods the explosions blended into one long rumble. The failure of the alliance to counter the assault is likely to sharpen criticism that Nato, having refused permission for the rebels to acquire weapons of their own, is unable to protect them. Officials involved in the Nato campaign say the frustration on the ground reflects tension between what the insurgents want and the mandate laid out by the UN. “Nato nations are in Libya to protect civilians. The rebels have proved themselves to be very courageous but we are not there to act as their air force,” said one. Officials say they are concerned about creating a situation where civilians are caught up in chaotic fighting between rebels and Gaddafi’s forces. This has been heightened by fears of a lack of co-ordination between rebels and Nato commanders responsible for approving air strikes. Libya Middle East Arab and Middle East unrest Muammar Gaddafi Nato guardian.co.uk

Posted by on June 10, 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.