Advertisement

Thursday 20 October 2011

| Subscribe

Gaddafi's final stronghold falls: Libyan forces conquer Sirte

Sirte – Muammar Gaddafi's last stronghold – has fallen to rebel fighters after days of bloodshed.

Libyan fighters celebrate in the streets of Sirte Libya in this image taken from TV Thursday Oct. 20, 2011.  The Libyan fighters on Thursday overran the remaining positions of Moammar Gadhafi loyalists in his hometown of Sirte, ending the last major resistance by former regime supporters still holding out two months after the fall of the capital Tripoli. (AP Photo/APTN)
 
Image 1 of 6
Libyan fighters celebrate on the streets of Sirte Photo: AP Photo/APTN
Libyan National Transitional Council fighters battle against loyalist troops in Sirte
 
Image 1 of 6
Libyan National Transitional Council fighters battle against loyalist troops in Sirte Photo: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters battle loyalist troops on October 19, 2011 in Sirte's neighbourhood Number 2, one of the last two bastions of ousted leader Moamer Kadhafi's gunmen.  
AFP PHOTO/AHMAD AL-RUBAYE (Photo credit should read AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
 
Image 1 of 6
NTC fighters battle loyalist troops in Sirte's neighbourhood Number 2 Photo: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-Gaddafi fighters walk at an area where clashes with Gaddafi forces took place in Sirte...Anti-Gaddafi fighters walk at an area where clashes with Gaddafi forces took place in Sirte October 19, 2011. REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori
 
Image 1 of 6
NTC fighters walk through an area of Sirte where clashes with Gaddafi forces have taken place Photo: REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori
Troops of Llibya's new regime capture a wounded loyalist fighter  (C) during battles on October 19, 2011 in Sirte's neighbourhood Number 2, one of the last two bastions of ousted leader Moamer Kadhafi's gunmen.  
AFP PHOTO/AHMAD AL-RUBAYE (Photo credit should read AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images)
 
Image 1 of 6
NTC troops capture a wounded loyalist fighter during battles in Sirte's neighbourhood Number 2 Photo: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-Gaddafi fighters carry an injured comrade during clashes with Gaddafi forces in Sirte...Anti-Gaddafi fighters carry an injured comrade during clashes with Gaddafi forces in Sirte October 19, 2011. REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori
 
Image 1 of 6
Anti-Gaddafi fighters carry an injured comrade during clashes with Gaddafi forces in Sirte Photo: REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori

• Rebels converge on centre of Sirte to celebrate
• Gaddafi troops killed after trying to flee in cars
• Gaddafi's defence minister Abu Bakr Yunis reported dead
• Capture could lead to rebels declaring outright Libya victory
• Rebels hoist new national flag over captured holdout

In the early hours of the morning, at least five cars carrying loyalist fighters attempted to escape the city, but most were rounded up and killed by revolutionaries.

Libyan rebels then moved into the city's Number Two residential neighbourhood, which was the last pocket of pro-Gaddafi resistance left in the war-torn country.

"Sirte has been liberated. There are no Gaddafi forces any more," said Col Yunus Al Abdali, head of operations in the eastern half of the city. "We are now chasing his fighters who are trying to run away."

However, there were reports that Gaddafi loyalists had ditched their military uniforms and were firing indiscriminately at civilians.

The final assault on the remaining pro-Gaddafi positions began around 8am (7am GMT) on Thursday and was over after about 90 minutes.

Civilians, whose city has been under siege since Gaddafi was removed from power at the end of August, were making their way to the centre to celebrate. The Telegraph, witnessing scenes in the centre of the city siad there were scens of relief, jubilation and intense celebratory gunfire among National Transitional Council (NTC) forces.

The new national flag was raised above a large utilities building in the Mediterranean city, which had been under siege for nearly two months.

A rebel commander confirmed that loyalist fighters in the city had been rounded up.

"This is the last day of the fight," Lieutenant Colonel Hussein Abdel Salam of the Misurata Brigade told AFP. "Within some hours we will announce that Sirte is free."

Abdel Salam said that National Transitional Council troops were now carrying out a mopping up operation in the city's Number Two residential neighbourhood, the last redoubt of Gaddafi loyalists in the war-torn country.

Rebel officials have claimed that Sirte has been liberated several times in the past three weeks. The capture of the town raises hopes that the rebels will be in a position to claim outright victory.

A rump of pro-Gaddafi fighters have been holding out against rebel troops, in a bloody battle that has left dozens dead on both sides and major damage to the city, which was Gaddafi's birthplace.

The fate of the city has become entwined with the immediate political future of Libya after the National Transitional Council said a full interim government could not be named until Sirte had fallen.

Gaddafi was at one time believed to be hiding in Sirte, but his whereabouts remain unknown. Sirte was lavished with money by him and treated as a second capital.

    Share:
  •  
  •  
telegraphuk
blog comments powered by Disqus
Advertisement

Promotions

Loading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Best deals from travelzoo