# Libya too?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 16, 2011, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595 "2011-02-16T16:37:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 86
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1701 "2011-08-10T14:32:26Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > [Subscribe to read](http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5310a10a-bf40-11e0-898c-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1U9D680GK) > > Khamis dead. I repeat Khamis Al-Gadaffi dead. Woo-ee. Someone’s gonna be mad. [State TV shows footage of what it claims is Khamis alive.](http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/08/20118100215709820.html) In a hospital bed. Whatever. If that’s Khamis, he ain’t gonna be commanding troops in the field any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1702 "2011-08-11T16:22:20Z")
News of the day: [http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A09720110811?sp=true](http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A09720110811?sp=true) HUGE movements towards Zawiyah. Rebels are negotiating with civilians to flee towns on roead to Azaziyah before they push forward. That’s only 50 km from Tripoli. [http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE77A01O20110811](http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE77A01O20110811) Brega (town, not complex) looks like it might finally be captured soon. Unsurprisingly, Libya’s lying again about civilian casualties. [http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKEjKx0bB22IW81-NywiqKIlOVJg?docId=8dfaab06752a4b7fac39b9da92a64d1b](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKEjKx0bB22IW81-NywiqKIlOVJg?docId=8dfaab06752a4b7fac39b9da92a64d1b) > [@](#): > > NATO and Libyan officials both refuted damaging claims Wednesday in the 6-month old civil war, with NATO insisting its airstrike killed soldiers and mercenaries, not 85 civilians, and the state-run TV apparently showing Moammar Gadhafi’s youngest son alive to counter rebel allegations of his death. [http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A09720110811?sp=true](http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A09720110811?sp=true) More on the push towards Z and A. [http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/11/uk-britain-riots-libya-idUKTRE77A17A20110811](http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/11/uk-britain-riots-libya-idUKTRE77A17A20110811) > [@](#): > > Libyan state television on Thursday said Prime Minister David Cameron was using “Irish and Scottish mercenaries” to tame riots in England. > > “The rebels of Britain approach Liverpool in hit-and-run battles with Cameron’s brigades and mercenaries from Ireland and Scotland. God is Greatest,” said a breaking news caption on Libyan TV’s morning program. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1703 "2011-08-12T16:25:41Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > News of the day: > [http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A09720110811?sp=true](http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A09720110811?sp=true) > HUGE movements towards Zawiyah. Rebels are negotiating with civilians to flee towns on roead to Azaziyah before they push forward. That’s only 50 km from Tripoli. > > [http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE77A01O20110811](http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE77A01O20110811) > Brega (town, not complex) looks like it might finally be captured soon. > > Unsurprisingly, Libya’s lying again about civilian casualties. > [http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKEjKx0bB22IW81-NywiqKIlOVJg?docId=8dfaab06752a4b7fac39b9da92a64d1b](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKEjKx0bB22IW81-NywiqKIlOVJg?docId=8dfaab06752a4b7fac39b9da92a64d1b) > [http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A09720110811?sp=true](http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A09720110811?sp=true) > More on the push towards Z and A. > > [http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/11/uk-britain-riots-libya-idUKTRE77A17A20110811](http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/11/uk-britain-riots-libya-idUKTRE77A17A20110811) So, what’s up? Did the rebels take Brega yet? All I can find googling says they’ve taken “part” of it, and not the oil-facilities part. And, who’s in charge? Did Jibril ever form a new executive committee? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1704 "2011-08-12T20:16:23Z")
Things are moving. We have video that suggests all of residential Brega is under control. But not the fuel facilities. We have reports of rebels being darn near Azaziyah. That’s a 50+KM move from where they were the other day. Expecting a tough fight there, though. Refugees from Tripoli claiming shortages of food and fuel, that the government is crumpling from within. Apparently authentic refugees. Veracity unknown. Captured intel officer says that Gadaffi is still in complete control. Probably lying. > **[Reuters | Breaking International News & Views](https://www.reuters.com?edition-redirect=af)** > > Find latest news from every corner of the globe at Reuters.com, your online source for breaking international news coverage. My best guess is that Gadaffi’s fighting a three-front war, and he can’t defend all of it at once. Grads are starting to fire on the Azaziyah combatants, which means NATO is going to take them out shortly. Brega is in its final days, but I’m expecting more mines. West and north are continuing to press. Executive committee: Expect news by Monday. I think. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1705 "2011-08-13T16:46:54Z")
[Aljazeera says](http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/08/2011813913965166.html) the rebels are moving on both Az-Zawiyah and Gharyan. If they take Gharyan, they can cut off Tripoli’s main supply route. They’ve also taken Tawurgha. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1706 "2011-08-13T19:44:46Z")
Gharyan is getting some pushback from the regular forces. Refugees increasing from Tripoli. [![](https://i.imgur.com/0fn4B.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/0fn4B.jpg) Map as of last night. [http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i80RJp6YdSOKuJlILo1Z6IP0RAmw?docId=240cc3cbcff3417da204f631cc9bdaa9](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i80RJp6YdSOKuJlILo1Z6IP0RAmw?docId=240cc3cbcff3417da204f631cc9bdaa9) Decent Reuters article. This _could_ be critical. Gadaffi can’t stay in Tripoli, holed up. He’s got to hit back somehow. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1707 "2011-08-13T20:16:06Z")
I think it is the last weeks or months of Qaddafi. He is only losing ground now and it is more discouraging to his collaborators and those who do not break out of fear of him. If the Rebellion takes the cities of Gharyan et Zaouiya it will begin to crack. I am in passage in Tunis to see the BAD for first time since the month of june and I notice that there for the first time many Libyan vehicules which are carrying the plaques of the Rebellion, in the colours of the Rebellion, instead of the old white plaques of the Jamahariya. It is a sign of the change of mood, as I know from talking to some people in june that even then there was fear of the agents murdering people presenting their sympathies. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1708 "2011-08-13T21:38:01Z")
Al Jazeera Arabia reports coming in. Reporter Abduladim Muhammad is in Al Zawiyah only 200metres from Martyr Square. Says rebels control 75% of city. Gaddafi forces have pulled back to the northeast. Rebels say they will be in control of the city by dawn, god willing. They’ve set up fallback points, this is not something where they run in and get chased out. Troops are pouring in. This could be big. [![](https://i.imgur.com/6iPUv.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/6iPUv.png) Updated map. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1709 "2011-08-14T15:39:22Z")
It is on the French 24 TV that the Rebelles are flying their tricolour in Zawiya centre. There was on another station a footage of many residents of Zawiya cheering the rebels, and they said the government troops seek to be breaking. It seems it is cracking now. They also say Gharyan has fallen but there is no footages. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1710 "2011-08-15T10:13:43Z")
[![](https://i.imgur.com/fQ2El.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/fQ2El.jpg) Have a new map. Rebels in control of Surman as well. (there is sniper fire) Rebels in talks with unknown Gadaffi officials. Most of Tripoli’s supply routes except the sea are cut off. It’s time for Gadaffi to record his Downfall video. Sadly, too delusional to leave while the leaving’s good. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1711 "2011-08-15T14:11:17Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8NRH_jHX1p0/hqdefault.jpg "ثوار17 فبراير kitkatبرعاية طرائف الثوار في جبهة البريقه") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NRH_jHX1p0) What the Libyan Rebels are really fighting for. A break. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1712 "2011-08-15T15:15:51Z")
Updates! Rebels claim to control Mizdah and Tiji This is significant if true. Mizdah is on the other main supply route to Tripoli, and really screws up Tripoli’s supply lines. If they have it, all they have to do is head to Bani Walid to link up with Misrata and completely surround Tripoli. Sabratha is under rebel control. (reporters broadcasting from in it) Rumor of the day: they captured the Mizdah military base, and captured 100 tanks. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1713 "2011-08-15T15:17:11Z")
What about Sirt? Any news on that? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1714 "2011-08-15T15:23:34Z")
[Libyan Interior Minister (apparently) defects to Egypt.](http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/08/15/libyan-interior-minister-appears-to-have-defected-1974807159/) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1715 "2011-08-15T15:30:07Z")
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear And hear their death-knell ringing\* When friends rejoice both far and near How can we keep from singing In prison cell and dungeon vile Our thoughts to them go winging When friends by shame are undefiled How can we keep from singing! – Traditional Quaker Hymn \*The Unitarian Universalist hymnal changes these lines to “When tyrants tremble, when they hear / The bells of freedom ringing,” because we UUs are a bunch of pussywimps. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1716 "2011-08-15T16:27:00Z")
> [@Bibliovore](#): > > What about Sirt? Any news on that? Why Sirte? The rebels are still fighting for Brega. It will be a while before they’re ready to move on Sirte from east or west. Tripoli might fall first. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1717 "2011-08-15T16:49:55Z")
[Representatives of the rebels, Gaddafi, and the UN are meeting in Tunis for negotiations.](http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gjv8Mm-UPVyJd2ACj7o3Hc2nSUpQ?docId=CNG.2676121f83532a605fead5c9c6c1ed38.f1) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1718 "2011-08-15T21:53:50Z")
Interesting Aljazeera piece: [Who is in control of the Libyan opposition?](http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2011/08/201181595355669833.html) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1719 "2011-08-16T03:42:40Z")
BBC is reporting the Dutch government will take all of the Libyan assets it’s seized, something like $140 million, and hand the money over to the World Health Organization to buy medicines for the rebels and civilians. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595/1720 "2011-08-16T09:56:31Z")
And now Gadaffi’s just firing off SCUD missiles in the general direction of rebel cities. This can’t end well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595.md?page=85) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libya-too/571595.md?page=87)