State TV shows footage of what it claims is Khamis alive. In a hospital bed. Whatever. If that’s Khamis, he ain’t gonna be commanding troops in the field any time soon.
News of the day:
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
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://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
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?
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.
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.
Aljazeera says 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.
Gharyan is getting some pushback from the regular forces. Refugees increasing from Tripoli.
Map as of last night.
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.
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.
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.
Updated map.
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.
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.
What the Libyan Rebels are really fighting for. A break.
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.
What about Sirt? Any news on that?
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.
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.
Interesting Aljazeera piece: Who is in control of the Libyan opposition?
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.
And now Gadaffi’s just firing off SCUD missiles in the general direction of rebel cities. This can’t end well.