Libya's interim government forces launch fresh assault on Kadafi's hometown Sirte 2509111

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Defense News - Libya

 
 

Sunday, September 25, 2011, 11:12 AM

 

Libya's interim government forces launch fresh assault on Kadafi's hometown Sirte.

Libya's interim government forces Saturday claimed a new military advance into the deposed Libyan dictator's hometown Sirte. The western military alliance "struck a series of targets (Gadhafi) forces used in order to threaten the civilian population of Sirte," NATO said in a statement.
     
Libya's interim government forces Saturday claimed a new military advance into the deposed Libyan dictator's hometown Sirte. The western military alliance "struck a series of targets (Gadhafi) forces used in order to threaten the civilian population of Sirte," NATO said in a statement.
Libya's interim government forces fired with heavy artillery howitzer against the city of Sirte, one of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's last remaining strongholds.
     

NATO said their air attacks targeted a number of sites including an ammunition depot.

Libya's interim government forces entered from both west and east of the city and, at one stage, were within 1km (0.5 miles) of the city centre, after weeks of stalemate.

The troops have been positioning tanks, artillery, antiaircraft guns and other weapons for a new push toward Surt. An initial offensive last week was repelled.

New Libyan government had given the defenders of Sirte until Saturday to surrender or face an all-out attack by forces that have the city virtually surrounded. There was no sign of capitulation from defenders in the city, which is about 230 miles east of Tripoli, the capital.

Attackers reached a key intersection near the center of the coastal city of Surt by sunset, but were slowed by resistance from pro-Kadafi forces, reported the pan-Arab satellite network Al Jazeera.