Libyan Revolution Tweets, Day 21 (or 23*), Part 6

[Catherina]

Libyan Revolution Tweets, Day 21 (or 23*), Part 6

Today's threads: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

#Feb17 Youth organizers invite Gaddafi's collaborators to stand under his umbrella ella ella ella ella ella http://bit.ly/faa34E

"We have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C. Plan A is to live and die in Libya. Plan B is to live and die in Libya. Plan C is to live and die in Libya."
- Saif Islam Qaddafi during interview

*I called this Day 21 because the official start date was #Feb17 but events kicked off 2 days earlier.

Previous Day 20 threads: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

The world’s 100 largest arms dealers, excluding Chinese vendors, sold weapons for $401 billion in 2009, with US vendors in first place

Threads for Days 1-20 are in my journal

"I was born in Tunisia, I persevered in Egypt, I sacrificed myself in Libya, I have fought in Yemen&Bahrain. I am Freedom, I will not die."
- Libyan4life Jeel Ghathub

LibyanThinker The Libyan Thinker
New video of Soldiers Executed for Refusing to Shoot Protesters in #Libya

Click here for updated and interactive map

Military Installations

Oil Map


- Google Earth DL here to see positions of army and patrolling route of mercenaries
- MAP of Protests across the Middle East

Please rec if you read these so I know if the effort here is worth it.

[bobbolink]

1. Thought I was going to miss the first rec, because it loaded so slowly..

Thanks, Christina! I'm taking a day from the budget letter-writing campaign to catch up on Libya.... Those women were incredible! Thanks for posting that vid!

:hug:

[Catherina]

2. Thanks Bobbo!

:hug: Thanks 4 confirming that DU is slow and I don't need to reboot! Saved me time there.

[bobbolink]

4. Its hanging up... must cause you some problems.

I thought it might be my connection, but went to other sites just fine. I'm thinking its that time of day.

I'm confused... is Zawiya OK now?? Any hope for Tripoli?

[Catherina]

3. Iyad El-Baghdadi - brief report of the strategic situation now... On the western front

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Alright let me give you a brief report of the strategic situation now. It'll have to be brief, sorry... #Libya
35 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply


iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
On the western front, all of Gaddafi's troops have been bogged down around Zawiya, still unable to take it. #Libya
34 minutes ago

There haven't been attacks on Misurata or Zintan. But security clamp downs reported in Msillata. #Libya

Despite all the bombing, the blockade, the brutality, Zawya stands tall. It stands in pain, even exhaustion, but with pride. #Libya

We know that the Nafusa mountains towns, esp. Zintan, started attacks on Gaddafi. How much they are affecting him is still unclear. #Libya

It seems Gaddafi wanted to give a speech from Zawiya, but his troops couldn't take it, so he had to settle for Mayah (15 kms away). #Libya

It seems in their desperation today to take Zawiya, Gaddafi troops lost a Major General and a Colonel, killed in rebel counterattack. #Libya

Earlier we heard that his troops had instructions to take Zawya and Misurata "by Wednesday". Wonder why, but they failed anyway. #Libya

[bobbolink]

5. How are these cities doing with food and fuel stock???

Can they last? I saw the tweet bout the medical supplies, but what about the food and fuel?

[Matariki]

6. Thanks as ever Catherina for these posts. K&R

[Catherina]

32. You're welcome. Thanks for the rec & support n/t

[Catherina]

7. Iyad El-Baghdadi - brief report of the strategic situation ... On the eastern front

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Going to the eastern front now, the major development is that the revolutionaries are not fighting "ad hoc" anymore... #Libya
22 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

If you remember, Brega and Ras Lanuf were taken from Gaddafi by volunteers with lots of zeal but little strategy. #Libya

Again with much zeal and very light weapons, they had earlier advanced nearly to Sirt, but got orders to pull back to Ras Lanuf. #Libya

Reports from Ras Lanuf now say that the army is in charge there; professional soldiers and heavy equipment. Volunteers follow orders. #Libya

The army had earlier stopped anyone from advancing without orders, and moved heavy equipments past Ras Lanuf. #Libya

In fact today they used Katyushas, Grads, and heavy artillery to bomb Gaddafi troops in the Bin Jawad area. #Libya

There seems now to be zeal, plus strategy and heavy equipment on the revolutionary side in Ras Lanuf. #Libya

Earlier today they asked volunteers to pull back 20 kms from Bin Jawad, a safe distance for heavy bombardment of Gaddafi positions. #Libya

At least one military analyst said that these developments have shocked Gaddafi's troops in the area. I can imagine. #Libya

The weakness still suffered by the revolutionaries is that Gaddafi still has an airforce while they don't... #Libya

We know revolutionaries may have a few jets but it's unclear why they're not using them - unable or unwilling? #Libya

So far, Gaddafi's use of airforce has been light, which itself raises questions about what shape his airforce is in... #Libya

It could be that Gaddafi's jets are in bad shape due to chronic poor maintenance, or that he's low on qualified pilots. #Libya

In all cases it's unlikely that rebels will make a bold, direct push into Sirt before solving the "airforce problem", or a NFZ. #Libya

The other option is to gradually move the line forward as they are doing now near Bin Jawad. #Libya

Keep in mind that Gaddafi's units in Bin Jawad are 150 kms away from their supply base. Revolutionaries are only 50 kms away.

[Catherina]

8. Iyad El-Baghdadi - brief report of the strategic situation ... On the political front

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Going to the political front now, I'm sure you heard about the three planes having left #Libya on "diplomatic missions" today...
6 minutes ago

At least one of them arrived in Cairo for talks with the army there. Nature of talks unclear, but talk about poor timing... #Libya
5 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

#Gaddafi's envoy arrived just a couple days after Sharaf, the "revolutions candidate" took over as prime minster of #Egypt. #Libya

Also, #Gaddafi's envoy seems to have arrived in Cairo unannounced. In any case, he's unlikely to find a sympathetic audience there. #Libya

Some speculate that these visits have to do with a possible compromise or even an offer by #Gaddafi to step down, but I doubt it. #Liby

More likely, I think #Gaddafi is running low on ammo & supplies and he's trying to secure them from outside. #Libya

Today's attacks on oil port installation/reservoirs smack of extreme desperation. He wanted to take them, now he's bombing them. #Libya

As you know, you only bomb assets if you have no hope of capturing them. I think #Gaddafi's giving up on retaking Ras Lanuf. #Libya
3 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Replyly



I'll continue when he does, after catching up with other tweets

[Catherina]

9. Alarabiya Corr is a guest on Al-Shababiya channel (Pro-Gaddafi). Yup Alarabiya strike 3, you're OUT

LibyaInMe Libya In Me
Alarabiya Correspondent is a guest on Al-Shababiya channel (Pro-Gaddafi). Yup Alarabiya strike 3, you're OUT #libya #feb17
19 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

10. Gen+Col killed in #Zawiya indicates that high officers being forced 2 lead attacks 2 keep up >>

MilitantNews Stephen Morgan
#Libya #Gaddafi General+Colonel killed in #Zawiya indicates that high officers are being forced to lead attacks to keep up low troop morale
17 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply


And lack of troops. When you shoot your officers and NCOs for refusing to fire on the ppl...

[Catherina]

11. some rebel pilots had even volunteered to fly suicide missions against #Gaddafi' s compound

MilitantNews Stephen Morgan
@
@iyad_elbaghdadi Earlier reports said some rebel pilots had even volunteered to fly suicide missions against #Gaddafi' s compound #feb17
16 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply


Useless suicide. Compound was reinforced after '86 US bombing. Extremely reinforced w\ the best money can buy. Plus #G is hiding in underground units.

Maybe fly over and bomb the exterior defense troops?

[Catherina]

12. Anonymous says good read "Threat of Anonymous Cyberattack on Pentagon May Be Overblown"

AnonymousIRC AnonymousIRC
Threat of Anonymous Cyberattack on Pentagon May Be Overblown http://is.gd/JOSnfP | Good Read. #Anonymous #Wikileaks #Manning
16 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Threat of 'Anonymous' Cyberattack on Pentagon May Be Overblown
Mar 9, 2011 | 3:41 PM ET | By Paul Wagenseil, SecurityNewsDaily Managing Editor


The Pentagon asked for an investigation yesterday (March 8) into the online “hacktivist” group Anonymous after at least one member of the group threatened to harass military officials in charge of the imprisonment of Army Pvt. Bradley Manning, according to news reports.

Last night, that member, occasional Anonymous spokesman Barrett Brown, gave an incendiary interview to NBC News, vowing a “guerrilla cyberwar” against the U.S. government, major corporations and other targets “that have asked for it.”

And in a rehash of earlier exploits, Anonymous members claimed to have taken down BMI.com, the website of the music-licensing group Broadcast Music Inc.

Last week, Brown told a Scottish website that Pentagon officials were fair game for Anonymous harassment.

...

http://www.securitynewsdaily.com/anonymous-promises-cyberwar-against-pentagon-0595/

Just grabbed first four paragraphs.

[Catherina]

13. appears that the Revolutionary Army rather than volunteers is forming >

MilitantNews Stephen Morgan
#Libya Now appears that the Revolutionary Army rather than volunteers is forming thru fusion of conventional troops with "rebels"-invincible
17 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Adsos Letter]

30. Good. The regular forces need to instill greater discipline/tactical training

in the general rebel force; it's certain to cut down on their casualty rate, and increase losses to Gaddafi's units.

[Catherina]

14. pic of #epiclibyanman shooting planes so cosily.

IbnOmar2005 Ibn Omar
http://bit.ly/fZAafl shorter pic of #epiclibyanman shooting planes so cosily. question is, where did he get that office chair from? #libya
16 minutes ago

[mm1945a]

28. What a warrior

Do you see his right thigh still sipping blood. He can lose a leg but cannot lost the position in the front line. What a warrior.

[Catherina]

15. credible news that defected soldiers helped at Ras Lanouf, this played big role in Zawia

ChangeInLibya Halwasa Guy
Beginning from Zawia. I have credible news that just as defected soldiers helped at Ras Lanouf, this played big role in Zawia #libya #feb17
14 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

16. Desert battles r won by cutting enemy's supply lines. #G troops 150kms road behind them-guerilla tac

MilitantNews Stephen Morgan
#Libya Desert battles are won by cutting enemy's supply lines. #Gaddafi troops 150kms road behind them-guerilla tactics+mines can trap them
15 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

17. gov has invited British, French, Dutch & German fact-finding teams. No response from them yet

NicRobertsonCNN Nic Robertson
#Libyan government says it has invited British, French, Dutch & German fact-finding teams to Libya. Says no response from nations yet.
15 minutes ago

I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Catherina]

24. says teams can include forensic scientsts, humantar'n specialists & bomb dispsl experts 2 examn >>

NicRobertsonCNN Nic Robertson
#Libya says teams can include forensic scientsts, humantar'n specialists & bomb dispsl experts 2 examn claims of aerial bombing & massacres.
19 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

18. Attn USA Libyans, we r going 2 DC Friday to present letter 2 US gov with Ambassador support

Sarurah Sarah M (Analibyana)
ATTENTION NORTH AMERICAN #LIBYANS http://northamericanlibyans.org we r going 2 DC Friday to present letter 2 US gov with AMBASSADOR support
15 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

19. #Egypt: Baradei talking about institutions, Moussa about himself. Understand the difference

Read from bottom up.



Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Baradei talking about institutions, Moussa about himself. Understand the difference. #jan25
2 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Baradei: why is the interior ministry taking this long to get back to get police to work? I don't understand this. #jan25
3 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
HEHE "@SalmaNoshokaty: @Sandmonkey I know!!! I never fancied him much before. "Man antomm" moment!! #jan25"
4 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
@
@hebaelkayal I forgot u were here. Rats. So did he take public speaking classes? They worked. :p
6 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
@
@AmalRadwan he said it about Manshiya. Apologies if I didn't provide correct context.
12 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Baradei is awesome today. Who is this dude? He usually blows. #jan25
13 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Baradei: how should I go into parliamentary elections when I don't have the right to new parties, making the 1s now unrepresentative. #jan25
14 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Baradei: the military must cancel the refrendum. #jan25
16 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Ammendments to a constution that was struck down won't work. #jan25
17 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Baradei: there needs to be a temporary constitution and a presidential council. Also a council to write a new constitution. #jan25
18 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Elbaradei is running. #jan25 #tahrir #egypt
22 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Baradei: I want to light a candle to every copt that died. #baradei #jan25 #tahrir
23 minutes ago

Sandmonkey Mahmoud Salem
Elbaradei is saying good things. Pay attention to ONTV. #jan25 #tahrir
25 minutes ago

[Catherina]

20. source @Sirte confirms #G ready 2 abandon it & move back to Sabha, as Misurata blocks way to Tripoli

ChangeInLibya Halwasa Guy
A source at Sirte confirms that Gaddafi is ready to abandon it and move back to Sabha, as Misurata effectively blocks way to #Tripoli #feb17
17 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

21. Sirte also witnessing executions of soldiers who refuse 2 attack demonstrators and revolutionaries

ChangeInLibya Halwasa Guy
Sirte is also witnessing some executions of soldiers who refuse to attack peaceful demonstrators and revolutionaries #libya #feb17
18 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

23. safe 2 say mercs outnumber Libyans in #G's army. He's finishing off all Libyans.

ChangeInLibya Halwasa Guy
It is almost safe to say that mercenaries outnumber Libyan soldiers in Gaddafi's army. He's finishing off all Libyans. #libya #feb17
19 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

ChangeInLibya Halwasa Guy
However, luckily, a source also confirms that mercenary shipments are starting to dry up. Gaddafi can't find much anymore. #libya #feb17
20 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

22. #Zawiya shows that when #G sends more & more forces @ the ppl, the more & more they defect

MilitantNews Stephen Morgan
#Libya Experiences in #Zawiya show that when #Gaddafi sends more and more forces at the people, the more and more they defect #feb17
18 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

25. #G for himself & family only, envoys currently flying around Europe are there to delay possible NFZ>

ChangeInLibya Halwasa Guy
Gaddafi, despite aiming to destroy Libya before he goes out, is also thinking of possible leniency and countries to accept him #libya #feb17
19 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

I understand that he's negotiating for himself and his children only, everyone else currently in #Tripoli won't be included. #libya #feb17

The envoys currently flying around Europe are there to delay possible NFZ and to negotiate ICC leniency if Gaddafi flees #libya

[Catherina]

26. Some mercs sent back to Sabha when reporters arrived, and some are attacking Zawia right now

ChangeInLibya Halwasa Guy
Some mercenaries were sent back to Sabha when reporters arrived, and some are attacking Zawia right now. #libya #feb17
18 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

27. Sabha is home to roughly 10,000 #G loyals & mercs, 50 jets, ammo stores, fuel and the likes

ChangeInLibya Halwasa Guy
Sabha is currently home to roughly 10,000 Gaddafi loyalists&mercenaries, 50 jets, ammo stores, fuel and the likes #libya #feb17
18 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

29. Iyad El-Baghdadi - brief report of the strategic situation ... On the political front PT 2

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
As days go by, revolutionaries are getting stronger. Every day Zawya stands, every day they get closer to Sirt... #Libya
25 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Gaddafi gets weaker every day he fails to take a city; every day he has to fall back closer to Sirt... #Libya

To date #Gaddafi couldn't take even a single armed city, with all his might & brutality. His troops are definitely not in good shape. #Libya

Every day, Gaddafi's ability to raise troops, arm them, motivate them and supply them plummets... #Libya

And every day revolutionaries ability to raise troops, arm them, motivate them, and supply them improves... #Libya

With an NFZ, I think this will be over in days. Without it, it may take longer, but the results are already clear to me. #Libya

Just remember this isn't a game of head-count. It's about ability to put troops on the field. Who would want to fight for the loser? #Libya

Anyway that's my report. There are other important developments I'll let you in on tomorrow. I really need a good long sleep.

Have to remind people who complain about me giving too many details, I only release info that has already become public. #Libya

ArmchairArab Armchair Arab
@
@iyad_elbaghdadi Welcome back Iyad, we missed you! As for Gaddafi jets, I'm sure in poor repair.
40 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
@
@ArmchairArab We all know that Arab tyrants care more about their police & security forces than their armies...
6 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
by ArmchairArab
Today's attacks on oil port installation/reservoirs smack of extreme desperation. He wanted to take them, now he's bombing them. #Libya
31 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

mcsystemsgb Frank McConnell
@iyad_elbaghdadi it's hard to fly jets w/o the Air Force. "ain't like crop dustin, kid!"
42 minutes ago

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
@
@mcsystemsgb An entire airbase (with both staff & jets) joined the revolutionaries in Benghazi.
5 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

akerala alex kerala
@
@iyad_elbaghdadi Air Power does not seem to play such a big role in these fights . So, is there really a point in asking for a NFZ ?
13 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
@
@akerala Yes, it's the first time revolutionaries use anything bigger than an anti-aircraft gun
5 minutes ago





Don't even know y I go find track down the concerned interference.

[Catherina]

35. forgot to say: revolutionaries have SAMs, may be moving some towards the Ras Lanuf front.

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Also forgot to say this: revolutionaries do possess SAMs and they may be moving some towards the Ras Lanuf front. #Libya
20 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Russian SAMs in Libya


In flight


Could also have these?

[Catherina]

37. There are already a lot of SAMs at the Ras Lanuf front, but I have yet to see them used.

evanchill Evan Hill
@
@iyad_elbaghdadi There are already a lot of SAMs at the Ras Lanuf front, but I have yet to see them used.
22 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[bobbolink]

38. I'm really appreciating this tweeter's updates.

[Catherina]

31. collection of my recent photos from the #Libya front line(s); "The road to Sirte"

evanchill Evan Hill
A collection of my recent photos from the #Libya front line(s); "The road to Sirte" http://ow.ly/4bd1W
25 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply










http://www.flickr.com/photos/aljazeeraenglish/sets/72157626107165931/


Many more at link. That's AlJazeera correspondent's photo stream 2 AlJazeera.

More at link

[Catherina]

33. w\in last 2 days, got 2 the point that if any soldier as much as asks "why" r immediately executed

ChangeInLibya Halwasa Guy
Sadly, within the last 2 days, it got to the point that if any soldier as much as asks "why" they are immediately executed #libya #feb17
29 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

34. Attack on Gaddafi forces checkpoint~40KM N of Zentan,main rte 2 #Zawiyah in mts.Fighters from Zintan

feb17voices Feb 17 voices
LPC #Zintan:caller:Attack on Gaddafi forces checkpoint~40KM N of Zentan,main rte to #Zawiyah in mts.Fighters from Zintan.Audio shortly#Libya
23 minutes ago

[Catherina]

36. Thousands of youth in #Tripoli have been put in prison since #Feb17

Tripolitanian Libyan
Thousands of youth in #Tripoli have been put in prison since #Feb17. #Libya
26 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

39. -- BBC staff arrested and tortured in #Libya by #Gaddafi --

feb17libya Feb17Libya
More on the story: BBC staff arrested and tortured in #Libya by #Gaddafi forces http://bit.ly/fgGV8o #feb17 #Gaddaficrimes
9 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

12:00am: Three members of a BBC News team have left Libya after being detained and mistreated by the Libyan military for 21 hours earlier this week. The team was among several reporters trying to get to the besieged town of Zawiya when they were detained

12:03am: The BBC’s Wyre Davies says: “Like many reporters seeking to get around Libyan government restrictions, the team from the BBC Arabic service was trying to get into the town of Zawiya, controlled earlier this week by anti-government rebels but under attack by Col Gaddafi’s forces. After being detained at an army roadblock, the three men were taken to a military barracks in Tripoli where they were blindfolded, handcuffed and beaten. Reporter Feras Killani was singled out for repeated beatings and was repeatedly attacked because of his coverage of the Libyan uprising. After being released, all three team members told us that they had feared for their lives. There were at least two mock executions, with live bullets being fired past the head of one of them men. Although a senior Libyan government later apologised for their treatment at the hands of the army, the men have now left the country.”

http://feb17.info/

[Catherina]

40. Worrying to hear of BBC team beaten & subjected to mock execution, thoughts w\ those taking risks >

fieldproducer Neal Mann
Worrying to hear of BBC team being beaten & subjected to mock execution in #Libya, thoughts with those working at great risk there to report
12 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

41. And what they say about (what happened to) Libyan Zawiya detainees even worse.

jrug Jonathan Rugman
BBC team here in Tripoli appallingly treated for doing their job. And what they say about Libyan Zawiya detainees even worse.
12 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

45. Guardian article: BBC staff 'arrested and tortured in Libya by Gaddafi forces'

feb17libya Feb17Libya
Story: BBC staff 'arrested and tortured in Libya by Gaddafi forces' http://tinyurl.com/46f53nk @feb17libya #gaddaficrimes #libya
19 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

BBC staff 'arrested and tortured in Libya by Gaddafi forces'
Journalists subjected to mock execution in ordeal which represents most serious incident against international media

Peter Beaumont in Tripoli
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 9 March 2011 21.42 GMT


Fighting continues across Libya. The two reporters were detained on Monday. Photograph: Hussein Mall

...

The shocking account of their experiences, including being held in a cage in a militia barracks while others were tortured around them, was made available to media colleagues in Tripoli after the men had been released and left the country.

...

One of the men was attacked repeatedly with fists, boots, rifle butts, a stick and piece of pipe. He also described trying to help other victims of torture whom they saw, some of whom had had their ribs broken during beatings.

...

"I think there was something personal against me," he added. "They knew me and the sort of coverage I had been doing, especially from Tajoura the Friday before. They don't like us or Arabiya or Jazeera."

...

We were lined up against the wall facing it. I stepped aside to face a gap so they wouldn't be able to smash my face into the wall. A man with a small sub machine gun was putting it to the nape of everyone's neck in turn. He pointed the barrel at each of us. When he got to me at the end of the line, he pulled the trigger twice. The shots went past my ear."

...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/09/bbc-staff-arrest-torture-libya?CMP=twt_gu

Good to see you're no longer proclaiming from your cushy Tripoli hotel that claim stories of shocking atrocities are being exaggerated Peter

[Catherina]

55. BBC: Gaddafi forces beat up BBC team.... 21 hours

septimius_sever septimius severus
BBC crew detained & tortured for 21 Hours,Im glad they r home & safe now,it sounds 2 me that Gaddafis really pushing 4 foreign intervention
34 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Gaddafi forces beat up BBC team


Goktay Koraltan and Feras Kilani said other detainees had been badly beaten

...

The men were detained on Monday and held for 21 hours, but have now flown out of Libya.

...

"I looked and I saw a plain-clothes guy with a small sub-machine gun. He put it to everyone's neck. I saw him and he screamed at me. "Then he walked up to me put the gun to my neck and pulled the trigger twice. The bullets whisked past my ear. The soldiers just laughed."
...

Koraltan said: "I cannot describe how bad it was. Most of them (other detainees) were hooded and handcuffed really tightly, all with swollen hands and broken ribs. They were in agony. They were screaming."

Killani said: "Four of them (detainees) were in a very bad situation. There was evidence of torture on their faces and bodies. One of them said he had at least two broken ribs. I spent at least six hours helping them drink, sleep, urinate and move from one side to another."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12695077

[Catherina]

42. Bombing Oil port,taking Zawya n Libyan Chs in English, torturing Journos, #G wants for. intervention

septimius_sever septimius severus
Bombing of Oil port,news of taking Zawya n #Libyan Channel in English & then torturing Journalists,Gaddafi wants foreign intervention #feb17
12 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

43. Here's video confirmation that rebels have Grads:

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Here's video confirmation that rebels have Grads: http://j.mp/gEfB0L (video taken between Ras Lanuf and Bin Jawad). #Libya
13 minutes ago

الحرب الليبية: مشاهد من مدينة بن جواد الليبية
Libyan War: Scenes from the Libyan city of Al Jawad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WNEvHPGU9w

Picture of GRADs


Ok. Safe to say the revolutionaries are well armed now and all without foreign intervention. Western govts stay out. They're almost done. If you interfere, it'll be a bloody 100 year war.

[Adsos Letter]

44. Those aren't Grads in your photos...those are AA guns.

Look like Russian ZPU-4's

[Catherina]

46. I googled GRADs, got that. Can you find me a pic and I'll fix? Thanks n/t

[Adsos Letter]

48. The video shows Grads firing; basically a truck-mounted, mlrs system.

A modern version of the Katyusha. I'll post a link to some photos. You're doing great work!

[Adsos Letter]

49. Here is the Wikilink:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BM-21

[Adsos Letter]

47. Edit: My apologies; those ARE Grads in the video, however.

just not in the still shots.

[Catherina]

50. Is that better? Used the wiki photo n/t

[Adsos Letter]

53. Yup! Not meaning to be critical Catherina, just trying to help with accuracy on

what we're seeing/hearing about. The VIDEO did show GRADs firing. :)

You're doing us all a great favor with your dedication to this. :thumbsup:

[Catherina]

54. No worries. I don't take it as criticism and greatly appreciate such corrections

I'm rushing so much that it's very helpful.

[Catherina]

51. Also have Guided anti air I think - Strela-2

Tripolitanian Libyan
@evanchill Guided anti air I think - Strela-2, am I right? http://ow.ly/i/8YWk#x1G
30 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply


evanchill Evan Hill
@
@tripolitanian Certainly looks like Strela-2 (based on my thorough Wikipedia research).
29 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

52. very insightful report from France24 wondering how long #Gaddafi's army can hold

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Here's a very insightful report from France24 wondering how long #Gaddafi's army can hold: http://j.mp/gvz1In #Libya
31 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

LATEST UPDATE: 09/03/2011
How long can Gaddafi and his forces hold out?

Muammar Gaddafi is much better armed than the often rag-tag opposition forces, but with his army carrying outdated equipment and his loyalists defecting in significant numbers, he cannot hold out for ever.


By Perrine MOUTERDE (text)

On paper, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has an army of 76,000 soldiers and 40,000 paramilitary troops. He also has 260 attack aircraft (mostly MIG 25 and 23s), 650 tanks, 2,300 artillery pieces and more than 100 helicopters (figures from Israeli site Middle East Military Balance).

...

A significant number of towns (including most of the country’s eastern coastal strip) have fallen to the opposition without fighting, attack aircraft have been missing their targets (by considerable margins) and Libyan soldiers have deserted in droves.

“It’s impossible to have a precise estimate of the strength of those forces still loyal to Gaddafi,” said to Jean-François Daguzan of the Paris-based Fondation de Recherche Strategique. “But if the official estimations of the forces at his disposal were correct, there wouldn’t be any insurgents left in Libya right now.”

...

Obsolete equipment

A second factor is that that most of Libya’s heavy equipment was bought from the former USSR in the 1970s (the country was subject of an international arms embargo for most of the last four decades). Most of this equipment can now be considered obsolete compared to other modern armies.

...
http://www.france24.com/en/20110309-gaddafi-military-libya-civil-war-mercenaries-army-rebels

[JanDutchy]

58. How is the organization of the rebels; how do they manage it

It's just a question because in NL - I have'not a military education (thank myself and the Lord - by the one's who know (without chopper) there is a lot of critic: rebels are not organized, haven't skills. etc etc.

I respect them, but I also listen to the ones who can know. although Iám convinced that motivation for a justus cause will win and is more important. (now I don't speak for the ones who lost their lives.


Respect for them..................................

[PufPuf23]

56. Thanks. Rec.

Have read about 80% of your posts and followed many links an has been much of my time at DU.

I find the trend rather ominous (because of spreading violence) and occluded as to what is going on in Libya as well as Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi etc; and response of NATO/EU countries (est. 12% to 15% of oil to EU, mostly Mediterranean countries) is from Libya and Libya oil is relatively cheap to Mediterranean EU because of transportation, average quality, and long stable infrastructure.

Lots of wild cards and mixed political and economic interests. The Egyptian military is a cypher to me. The regimes going down are those most compliant with the bogus WOT regards the USA and NATO. Saudi is heavily armed and the Saudi Royals exist because of the USA and have a long history with Brits. (read "The Peace to End all Peace - The Fall of the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East" (Fromkin). The Saudis may serve as proxies and have more in common with the other small, wealthy Sultanates and Israel.

A multi-generational disaster would be Authoritarian crackdown and expansion of the wars and unrest globalized.

[Catherina]

59. My assessment is similar. Ominous.

Thanks for following them. Today, for the first time, I really needed the encouragement to keep doing this so thank you very much for your timely post.

[Catherina]

57. Part 7 here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x596520