Libyan rebels enter oil town where decisive battle may yet be fought

Zawiya, 30 miles west of Tripoli, is seen as supply lynchpin in Gaddafi’s war machine – but taking capital is another matter Thirty-miles west of Tripoli, the one major asset that Muammar Gaddafi cannot afford to lose is starting to slip from his grasp for the second time. The oil refinery in the town of Zawiya has been a holy grail for Libya’s rebels since the start of the civil war. They took control of the town once in March, but were violently driven out by Gaddafi’s army, which knew that losing it meant probably defeat in the long run. Now, with what seems to be a sizable rebel force again inside Zawiya, a decisive battle in the western-backed Libyan campaign looms. Gaddafi on Monday acknowledged as much, urging his followers to liberate the country “inch by inch”, as what remains of his military makes its way towards the town. The oil from the Zawiya refinery, along with resupplies by road from Tunisia , have kept Gaddafi’s forces moving over the past five months. Few others, including the rebels, have had the same luxury – an oil shortage has kept most of the country at a near standstill since May. With petrol in their tanks, the vital re-supply route to Tunisia cut, and Nato jets overhead presumably able to pick off Gaddafi’s men as they attempt to retake Zawiya, the run east to the capital should theoretically be straightforward. But the winding streets of Tripoli are where the resolve of Gaddafi and his loyalists will truly be tested. And by most assessments he remains popular and in control of much of the capital that he has run like a fiefdom for more than four decades. Regular pleas from the African Union, as well as Russia and Belarus, have failed to shift the autocrat, who has given every indication that he is digging in for a last stand. And so too, apparently, are many thousands of loyalists, convinced by Gaddafi’s angry retorts against months of Nato bombings and an economic siege that is being widely perceived as an unjust collective punishment. Gaddafi’s defiance has resonated on a personal level with many in the capital, who view the continued bombing and rebel assault, in the face of repeated calls for a negotiated ceasefire, as a slight to their dignity – a serious affront in the Arab world, and one which very much drove the early days of the anti-American uprising in Iraq. Those who may be motivated to put right a perceived wrong will also have the means to do so. Since the start of the war any family demonstrating loyalty to the regime has been issued at least one Kalashnikov rifle and ammunition from government armouries in Tripoli. Tens of thousands of the firearm have been handed out, according to locals who have said they would use them to defend both their homes and their dignity. Short of a dramatic backdown by Gaddafi, Tripoli will not be taken without a fight. Strategically there is very little left for Nato to bomb there, so any fighting will probably be street to street – a scenario that raises the prospect of a protracted guerrilla campaign. After months of tentative advances followed by rapid retreats and confusion, the rebels would be unlikely to welcome this. With Zawiya again in play, along with Ghariyan to its immediate south, and finally some movement near the dead-locked eastern oil town of Brega, the situation has grown more delicate for Gaddafi. However, he has been underestimated throughout the campaign, emboldened by withstanding the cream of Europe’s air forces and buoyed by supporters in the capital. It may not be the end game just yet. Libya Middle East Africa Muammar Gaddafi Arab and Middle East unrest Nato Martin Chulov guardian.co.uk

Posted by on August 15, 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.