| Breaking News: Libyan Rebels Take Control of Zlitan, Al Qathafi Last Eastern Line of defence Destroyed 19/08/2011 18:39:00 | ||
| Libyan freedom fighters have taken control of the city of Zlitan after fierce fighting that has lasted for weeks. Al Qathafi’s forces have withdrawn to Wadi Kaam and Khums west of the city on the road to Tripoli.According to reports coming from the battlefield, rebels from Misurata and Zlitan have entered the city centre after they liberated Souq Al-Thulatha and took control of most of the city. By 18.00 (CET) the whole city was under their control.Over 30 rebels have died and more than 130 wounded in the battle that started Saturday morning. Advancing from Dafiniya in the east, the rebels succeeded in breaking the siege on Zlitan by Al Qathafi forces and joined the rebel fighters within the city who had staged a courageous fight inside the town against Al Qathafi’s militias.A high-ranking Al Qathafi officer was captured by the rebels in Zlitan, a colonel by the name of Omran Ali Ben Salim. The rebels also captured five soldiers who were fighting along Al Qathafi rag tag and shattered army. They also got hold of arms caches and military vehicles. Zlitan is located at 70 kilometers west of Misurata and 150 kilometers east of Tripoli.The next city that is likely to fall very soon is Khums, famous for the world renowned archeological site, Leptis Magna. Khums is 40 kilometers west of Zlitan. The fall of Zlitan will give a clear signal to the remaining Al Qathafi supporters in the capital Tripoli who must now realise that the end is approaching, and to run for their lives. Destroying the Zlitan line of defence is significant for it has always been considered by Al Qathafi of high strategic value both in military terms and in terms of tribal alliances.Al Qathafi’s fate is unclear at this moment. Whether he will abandon the capital before the rebels enter it or try to negotiate an exit with the world powers is a hash-hash situation.Rumours that Al Qathafi is negotiating his escape are spreading all over the country. The Libyan people are worried that some compromise might be reached between Al Qathafi and these powers, including NATO, according to which he could escape justice.The fall of Zlitan in the hands of the rebels after weeks of fighting will open the way straight to Tripoli, an objective that Libyan opposition has been working for since the start of the revolution on February 17.Al Qathafi has probably now maintained that holding rebels on the Zlitan line would save him time to fight back, but now the noose is tightening around his neck and the remaining 100 kms to Tripoli could easily be crossed in a matter of hours if the rebels decided to do so.The rebels will now put pressure on Ben Walid town, a stronghold of Al Qathafi supporters from the Wirfilla tribe, and allow the local few opposition forces to revolt against Al Qathafi. The same thing could happen to the city of Tarhouna.These scenarios could be similar to what happened in the west of Tripoli when the rebels entered Zawiyah on Saturday that led to the fall of the cities of Sorman and Sabratha. |
Breaking News: Libyan Rebels Take Control of Zlitan, Al Qathafi Last Eastern Line of defence Destroyed
Abdullah Al Asadi is a Libyan journalist and writer at TripoliPost, covering politics, society, and culture across Libya and the wider region. With a passion for independent storytelling and a commitment to accuracy, he brings readers in-depth reporting and thoughtful analysis on the issues shaping his country. He can be reached at abdullah.asadi@tripolipost.com
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