Libya rebels claim 'Misurata is free'

[Turborama]

Source: Al Jazeera English

Last Modified: April 23 2011 12:55

Rebels have declared Misurata "free" amid reports that government troops have been ordered to withdraw from Libya's besieged western port city.

"Misurata is free, the rebels have won. Of Gaddafi's forces, some are killed and others are running away," rebel spokesman Gemal Salem told Reuters news agency by telephone from the city.

Soldiers captured by rebel fighters on Saturday said the army had been ordered to retreat from the western port city.

=snip=

At least 10 people were killed in street battles in the city on Saturday, a doctor told AFP at a hospital overwhelmed by an influx of casualties including government soldiers.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/20114231251998645.html

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The American Association for the Advancement of Science: Documenting Conflict in Misurata Using High-Resolution Satellite Imagery

The present conflict in Libya began in mid-February 2011 as a wave of protests in cities across the country. In some cities, such as the eastern cities of Benghazi and Tobruk, protesters have taken over all aspects of local governance and remain in control. In other cities, such as the western city of Zawiya, military forces have reinstated the authority of the central government. The focus of this report is Misurata, Libya's third largest city, which is located on the northwestern coast of the country. Since early March, government forces and protesters in Misurata have continued to clash. Furthermore, since 23 March, Misurata also has been the target of airstrikes conducted by international forces. The conflict in Misurata has led to reports of heavy fighting, widespread indiscriminate shelling, and numerous civilian casualties. To investigate the veracity and details of these reports, Amnesty International-USA requested the assistance of the Geospatial Technologies and Human Rights Project of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

More details and the images here: http://shr.aaas.org/geotech/libya/libya.shtml

(Hat tip to al bupp for http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=932019&mesg_id=938385">the heads up on the map)

[xchrom]

1. will they have to holld it against a renewed assault? nt

[dipsydoodle]

2. Misurata was free before the uprising.

.

[joshcryer]

12. That's why Gaddafi cut the water and electricity after the mass protest there.

All these people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvTopCBev_4

They wanted to be free but he didn't want them to be.

[meow mix]

3. if they get it locked tripoli is up soon

very good progress, despite the DU hand wringing

[Arctic Dave]

4. DU hand wringing ?

The morons aren't doing this by themselves. Last time they chimed victory they had their ass handed to them the next week.

I sure if that happens you will be the first to call for more US bombing runs.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

5. Qadaffi's mercenaries falling back to hold Tripoli. Good news. nt

[al bupp]

6. German Press Agency: Libyan rebels suspicious over army's exit from Misurata

German Press Agency: Libyan rebels suspicious over army's exit from Misurata
By Kate Thomas and Nehal El-Sherif Apr 23, 2011, 12:49 GMT

Cairo/Benghazi (dpa) - The Libyan rebel council on Saturday questioned the legitimacy of the Libyan government's statement that its forces are fully retreating from the western city of Misurata.

A spokesman of the Benghazi-based Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC) told the German Press Agency dpa that it does not have faith in the regime's claims.

'With the introduction of predator drones, Gaddafi has realised that the game has been stepped up one more notch,' said rebel spokesman Mustafa Gheriani. 'The ITNC would love to see Gaddafi forces completely retreat from Misurata, but we are not optimistic.'

Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said that after weeks of fierce fighting with rebels, government forces would withdraw from the area around Misurata, and the local tribes would be left to settle the issue, either by force or negotiations.

More at: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1634777.php/Libyan-rebels-suspicious-over-army-s-exit-from-Misurata">Monstera and Critics

[Turborama]

7. Apparently, less than 1% of the population of Misurata & the surrounding area is pro-Gaddafi

Abdelsalam, a spokesman for the pro-democracy fighters in Misurata, said pro-Gaddafi tribes were in a minority in the area.

"There are two small pro-Gaddafi settlements outside Misurata. They make less than one per cent of the population of Misurata and the surrounding area.

"Those people know that when Gaddafi's regime falls, they will fall with it," Abdelsalam added, predicting the government would boost their strength by paying mercenaries to pose as tribesmen.

From the article in the OP: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/20114231251998645.html

[Igel]

9. In other words,

Spokesman claims that majority are with him, and his enemies are few in number and will be crushed.

Of course, he has no actual data to back up what he says. Most people dislike thinking that they're in a minority. (It was one of the Sunni Arabs' problems in 2004 and 2005--they knew they were a majority of Iraq, even though they were perhaps 22-25% of the population. Why? Because they just knew it.)

[Turborama]

10. How do you know how much data he has to back up what he says?

He's on the ground there and has a much better idea of what he's talking about than random anonymous internet users observing it from a distance.

[EFerrari]

11. He's a spokesman for the opposition, not a social scientist

or any kind of neutral party.

[Turborama]

14. That didn't answer my question.

Nor does it invalidate my statement.

[joshcryer]

13. You can always look at the Feb uprising in Misrata, which prompted Gaddafi to turn off water...

...and electricity, view here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvTopCBev_4

At the bare minimum a bunch of people didn't like Gaddafi's policies. Even if they were a minority then, do you think 2 months with no water or electricity made them love Gaddafi?

[tabasco]

8. Good news!

Down with the murderous tyrant Gaddafi!