NATO Backs Rebel Push On Tripoli

• August 22nd, 2011
• Posted by EUEditor

NATO air operations in Libya focussed on Tripoli on the weekend, as rebel forces reported they had taken their fight to the capital city.

Colonel Muamar al-Gaddafi made a broadcast, his government stating it had defeated bands of insurgents penetrating the city.

However correspondents there reported continuing explosions and gunfire in parts of Tripoli.

That action followed a week in which the rebels took control of Zlitan, 160 kilometres East of Tripoli, and Zawiya 40 kilometres to its West.

A statement from the NATO alliance said its aircraft had registered 22 hits on Saturday (20.8.11) in the vicinity of Tripoli.

Details:

Key Hits 20 AUGUST:
In the vicinity of Tripoli: 3 Military Facility, 1 Military Storage Facility, 7 Surface to Air Missile Transloaders, 1 Radar, 1 Surface to Surface Missile, 2 Armed Vehicles, 2 Armoured Fighting Vehicles, 3 Command and Control Node, 2 Multiple Rocket Launcher.
In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Command and Control Node.
In the vicinity of Brega: 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher, 1 Heavy Machine Gun, 1 Military Firing Position.
In the vicinity of Gharyan: 1 Armed Vehicle, 1 Anti Aircraft Gun.
In the vicinity of Zlitan: 1 Surface to Air Missile Launch

Reference

BBC News, London, “Libya conflict: Gaddafi says Tripoli attackers quashed”,21.8.11. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-1460608, (21.8.11).

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Brussels / Rome, “NATO and Libya: Operational Media Update for 20 August 2011”, 21.8.11.