Battle for LibyaLibyan rebels attack last Gaddafi strongholds

Anti-Gaddafi rebels have begun what they call an “all-out attack” on Moammar Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte meeting with fierce resistance.

Amid heavy close fighting, well-armed Gaddafi loyalists have been able to repel advances far. On their first foray into Sirte on Thusday, a bus filled with rebel fighters was struck by a roadside bomb, killing eleven.

The battle in Sirte has become one of street fighting, particularly along First of September Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, that enters Sirte from the west.

Loyalists are counter-attacking in a hit-and-run style, dashing through the streets to fire rocket-propelled grenades and rockets. The have also positioned snipers on mosque minarets and office towers.

Rebels have countered with heavy machine guns mounted on pickup trucks in the style of the Somali “technical.” Though somewhat successful, the tactic comes at a steep price. The gunners on these vehicles are exposed, and frequently become casualties.

Loyalists are cut off, and have no avenue of resupply or reinforcement, while the rebels enjoy open supply lines and international logistical support. As the battle rages on, the rebels and their commanders are confident of success, having captured an old airport outside the city.

According to an Associated Press report, one of the rebel commanders, Abul-Salam al-Jayeby expressed “It’s extra sweet to hit him [Gaddafi] here,” adding that “This is the biggest challenge for Gadhafi because we are going to take his hometown and then we will hunt him down.”

Meanwhile, 150 miles to the west, rebels have launched an attack on one of the last two remaining Gaddafi strongholds of Bani Walid.

Sweeping down from the north, revolutionary forces were met by the natural barrier of the Wadi Zeitoun valley. Loyalists had taken up positions in the valley, which has been irrigated and put into farm production, as well as being dug in on the south side of the valley and on some 100-foot-high escarpments.

Mortar rounds from the loyalist southern side rained down on the north, where rebels had raised their tri-color flag over and abandoned electrical building and a military headquarters.

From inside the city, a pro-Gaddafi radio station continually broadcast appeals for soldiers and residents to stand firm against the rebels.

Deep in the southern desert, rebels scored another victory in the capture of the Jalloud Air Force base, along with towns of Gira and Barak.