Allies guided rebel ‘pincer’ assault on Tripoli
The rapid weekend advance of Libyan rebel troops into Tripoli was the result of an opposition strategy put in place two weeks ago with the advice of British, French and Qatari special forces on the ground, along with an earlier decision by the Obama administration to share additional intelligence on the positions of Libyan government forces, according to NATO and U.S. military and intelligence officials.
The strategy included coordinated rebel attacks on three critical areas: the oil port of Brega to the east of the capital, the refinery city of Zawiyah to the west and the strategic southern approach to Tripoli at Gharyan.
The objective, a senior NATO official said Monday, was to create a ‘pincer’ that would drive forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi back from all directions to protect Tripoli. In the process, government troops would provide clear targets for NATO airstrikes and the roads would clear for the rebel advance.