Troops of Libya’s new rulers seized control of the port in Sirte, Muammar Qaddafi’s birthplace, in fighting with the ousted leader’s diehards during the night, a commander told AFP on Tuesday, as hundreds of terrified civilians poured out of the Mediterranean coastal city.
“There were clashes in the night and we now are controlling the port,” said Commander Mustafa bin Dardef of the Zintan brigade, which is attached to the National Transitional Council (NTC), the new ruling body of Libya.
The capture of the port, located in eastern Sirte, marks a strategic victory for the anti-Qaddafi forces as they battle for control of Sirte, one of Qaddafi’s last remaining strongholds.
“There were clashes in the night and we now are controlling the port,” said Commander Mustafa bin Dardef of the Zintan brigade, which is attached to the National Transitional Council (NTC), the new ruling body of Libya.
The capture of the port, located in eastern Sirte, marks a strategic victory for the anti-Qaddafi forces as they battle for control of Sirte, one of Qaddafi’s last remaining strongholds.
The fight for the Mediterranean city has intensified in the past few days with NATO carrying out raids for the third consecutive day on Monday.
NTC fighters have besieged the city from the east, west and south and were on Tuesday cleaning and oiling their weapons for what they said would be a thrust towards the centre, site of Qaddafi’s compound and military bunkers.
“As we move closer to the city center, it’s going to be face-to-face street fighting and we are preparing for it,” said one fighter, Ali Zaidi.
Fleeing residents spoke of dwindling supplies of food and water and said Qaddafi forces had attempted to stop people leaving, while doctors warned of a growing humanitarian crisis.
Fighters loyal to the new government also pounded Muammar Qaddafi’s forces in the desert city of Bani Walid, southeast of the capital Tripoli, the only other significant stronghold left to his loyalists.
NTC fighters have besieged the city from the east, west and south and were on Tuesday cleaning and oiling their weapons for what they said would be a thrust towards the centre, site of Qaddafi’s compound and military bunkers.
“As we move closer to the city center, it’s going to be face-to-face street fighting and we are preparing for it,” said one fighter, Ali Zaidi.
Fleeing residents spoke of dwindling supplies of food and water and said Qaddafi forces had attempted to stop people leaving, while doctors warned of a growing humanitarian crisis.
Fighters loyal to the new government also pounded Muammar Qaddafi’s forces in the desert city of Bani Walid, southeast of the capital Tripoli, the only other significant stronghold left to his loyalists.
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