Libyan Civil War, August 19th Update
Major Libyan Population Centers
Western Front
Rebels have bee working to secure areas that they attacked earlier in the week on this front. In Sabratha, the rebels now have nearly-complete control of the town and it’s ancient roman ruins, which are intact. In addition, the oil refinery in Zawiyah has been taken over by the rebels, with fleeing Qaddafi loyalists being picked off by NATO aircraft. Of particular note is one incident where an RAF fighter dropped a 500 lb Paveway bomb onto a tugboat with retreating Qaddafi soldiers.
In Gharyan, the Rebels repulsed a counter-attack by Qaddafi Loyalist forces who had retreated to the south. Aiding this counter-attack were loyalists still living in Gharyan, who fled the city after the counter-attack failed. The Qaddafi loyalists seem to be holed up in an area to the south of the city.
In other areas along this front, Tiji has fallen, permanently taking away the threat of rocket attack in the Nafusa Mountains, and fighting also going in Mizdah, a town of the Gharyan Road about 50 miles south of Gharyan.
Misrata Front
On the southern part of this front, the rebels have advanced to and taken Haysha, a town about halfway between Misrata and Sirte. However, the big news today is the fall of Zliten.
Apparently, the rebels in that city asked for assistance from the rebels in Misrata, which greatly aided in helping end the deadlock the city has been under for over a month. They have advanced beyond this, pushing to towards Al-Khums and the roman ruins of Leptis Magna.
Eastern Front
In the east, action has been slower to start. Yesterday, the southern suburb of Brega called Alargop was taken by the rebels. However, in the past 4-6 hours, reports have come in the Brega has fallen into rebel control. If true, this means Qaddafi has lost his last remaining town in the Cyrenaica region, and brings the rebels closer to Sirte, which is already being approached from the West by rebels from Misrata
Before this however, a Scud Missile was launched from Sirte towards this area, though it landed harmlessly in the desert. This may indicate a growing desperation from Qaddafi.
News Elsewhere
Defections are continuing to occur at a fairly high rate. Former Prime Minister Abdessalam Jalloud has fled to Zintan and defected there, and may be headed for Europe. He is of the same tribe as Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the man responsible for the Pan Am 103 bombing. In addition, the Interior Minister fled to Cairo on August 15th.
In Brazil, there clashes around the Libyan Embassy there, between anti-Qaddafi Libyans who raised a flag during Iftar (the evening meal when Muslims break fast). Supposedly, this resulted the Ambassador and his family fleeing. This is not the first time such an event has occurred. On July 25th, some anti-Qaddafi Libyan Diplomats went on a rampage through the embassy in Bulgaria.
In addition, at least one of the State TV Stations in Tripoli has gone offline. It is unclear why. Right now, there are rumors of rebel cells in Tripoli creating havoc for Qaddafi’s Forces.