Libya forces relaunch Sirte assault
- 13 years ago
Libyan interim government fighters relaunch their offensive in Sirte on Wednesday as artillery, rockets and tank fire rain down on pro-Gaddafi fighters' positions.
National Transitional Council (NTC) troops - made up mostly of amateur fighters - deployed an arsenal of homemade weapons - including a bulldozer fitted with armor.
Designed to smash through roadblocks and barricades, the NTC forces hoped it could help to capture former leader Muammar Gaddafi's hometown.
For weeks, hundreds of NTC fighters have surrounded the coastal town - struggling to try to take over the last major city held by loyalists.
On Tuesday, anti-Gaddafi fighters had been forced to retreat in some areas of the coastal town - under heavy fire of loyalist forces.
But, a day later - NTC fighters had taken back lost ground - and also made some gains.
Sarah Irwin, Reuters.
National Transitional Council (NTC) troops - made up mostly of amateur fighters - deployed an arsenal of homemade weapons - including a bulldozer fitted with armor.
Designed to smash through roadblocks and barricades, the NTC forces hoped it could help to capture former leader Muammar Gaddafi's hometown.
For weeks, hundreds of NTC fighters have surrounded the coastal town - struggling to try to take over the last major city held by loyalists.
On Tuesday, anti-Gaddafi fighters had been forced to retreat in some areas of the coastal town - under heavy fire of loyalist forces.
But, a day later - NTC fighters had taken back lost ground - and also made some gains.
Sarah Irwin, Reuters.