Renewed assault on Bani Walid.
- 13 years ago
ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)
REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO WHICH HAS BEEN OBTAINED LOCALLY BY REUTERS
STORY: Libyan interim government forces now control 60 percent of the desert enclave of Bani Walid after a week of intense fighting, National Transitional Council fighters told Reuters on Sunday (October 16).
A video obtained by Reuters on October 16 purports to show NTC milita firing rocket propelled grenades. Reuters is unable to independently verify the video.
The renewed assault follows a period in which the NTC has built up its military presence around the pro-Gaddafi stronghold.
Advancing from the south of the city forces loyal to the government have seized Bani Walid's heliport and hospital in the last few days, the NTC fighters said.
The advancing NTC forces have encountered heavy sniper fire from the Gaddafi loyalists in the town.
The town is home to Libya's biggest tribe, the Warfalla, and an assault that caused heavy loss of life could provoke their rage against the interim government. Residents who have fled or joined the side of the interim government have been keen to ensure that the homes of relatives are not touched.
The fighting in Bani Walid coincided with prolonged battles in Sirte, where NTC forces are battling pro-Gaddafi fighters holed up in a small area of Gaddafi's home town.
REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO WHICH HAS BEEN OBTAINED LOCALLY BY REUTERS
STORY: Libyan interim government forces now control 60 percent of the desert enclave of Bani Walid after a week of intense fighting, National Transitional Council fighters told Reuters on Sunday (October 16).
A video obtained by Reuters on October 16 purports to show NTC milita firing rocket propelled grenades. Reuters is unable to independently verify the video.
The renewed assault follows a period in which the NTC has built up its military presence around the pro-Gaddafi stronghold.
Advancing from the south of the city forces loyal to the government have seized Bani Walid's heliport and hospital in the last few days, the NTC fighters said.
The advancing NTC forces have encountered heavy sniper fire from the Gaddafi loyalists in the town.
The town is home to Libya's biggest tribe, the Warfalla, and an assault that caused heavy loss of life could provoke their rage against the interim government. Residents who have fled or joined the side of the interim government have been keen to ensure that the homes of relatives are not touched.
The fighting in Bani Walid coincided with prolonged battles in Sirte, where NTC forces are battling pro-Gaddafi fighters holed up in a small area of Gaddafi's home town.