Gadhafi's forces on Ras Lanuf try to retake the easter,n oil city with planes artillery 0903112

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Defense News - The conflict in Libya
 

Wednesday, March 09, 2011, 4:46 PM

 

Gadhafi's forces on Ras Lanuf city try to retake the eastern oil city with planes and artillery.

 
 
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's forces appeared to be advancing Wednesday Match 09, 2011, on Ras Lanuf, using planes and heavy artillery in an effort to retake the eastern oil city.
     
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's forces appeared to be advancing Wednesday Match 09, 2011, on Ras Lanuf, using planes and heavy artillery in an effort to retake the eastern oil city.
A rebel militiaman crawls while under fire on the frontline on March 8, 2011 near Ras Lanuf

     

Rebels armed with anti-aircraft guns and Soviet rifles were outgunned by the heavily armed pro-Gadhafi forces, but many opposition fighters were still in the city, willing to battle -- and try to prevent Gadhafi from crushing any part of the uprising against him.

CNN's Ben Wedeman in Ras Lanuf saw a huge plume of black smoke that appeared to be coming from an oil refinery on the city's western edge. An intense artillery bombardment was under way on the western edge as well.