Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Rebel Assault on Tripoli Continues

Anti-Gadhafi forces rise up around city, but Gadhafi denies assault

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 21, 2011 5:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – With explosions and gunfire continuing in Tripoli this morning, rebels are continuing their advance on Moammar Gadhafi, reports Reuters. Rebels said that anti-Gadhafi forces in Tripoli have joined the rebel fight, particularly around Tajoura and the airport, two regions know to be more anti-Gadhafi, and that they're backed by aerial support from NATO. "The zero hour has started. The rebels in Tripoli have risen up," a rebel spokesman told al-Jazeera.

Gadhafi, on the other hand, took to the air this morning, with an audio message on state television calling the rebels "rats" and claiming that the rebels "were attacked by the masses tonight and we eliminated them." For the moment, however, details of the fighting in Tripoli are difficult to confirm. The AP is reporting that the rebels are less than 20 miles from Tripoli, having reached the town of Jedaim.

People celebrate the recent news of uprising in Tripoli against Moammar Gadhafi's regime at the rebel-held town of Benghazi, Libya, early Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011. Libyan rebels said they launched their first attack on Tripoli in coordination with NATO late Saturday, and Associated Press reporters heard unusually heavy gunfire and...
People celebrate the recent news of uprising in Tripoli against Moammar Gadhafi's regime at the rebel-held town of Benghazi, Libya, early Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011. Libyan rebels said they launched their...   (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
Libyan rebels run for cover during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli, on August 21, 2011. A beleaguered Moamer Kadhafi urged supporters to 'march by the millions' and quash a months-long uprising, as rebel forces advanced on Tripoli and claimed his 42-year rule was on...
Libyan rebels run for cover during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli, on August 21, 2011. A beleaguered Moamer Kadhafi urged supporters to 'march by the millions'...   (Getty Images)
Libyan rebels take position during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli, on August 21, 2011. A beleaguered Moamer Kadhafi urged supporters to 'march by the millions' and quash a months-long uprising, as rebel forces advanced on Tripoli and claimed his 42-year rule was on its...
Libyan rebels take position during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli, on August 21, 2011. A beleaguered Moamer Kadhafi urged supporters to 'march by the millions'...   (Getty Images)
A Libyan rebel runs for cover during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli, on August 21, 2011. A beleaguered Moamer Kadhafi urged supporters to 'march by the millions' and quash a months-long uprising, as rebel forces advanced on Tripoli and claimed his 42-year rule was...
A Libyan rebel runs for cover during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli, on August 21, 2011. A beleaguered Moamer Kadhafi urged supporters to 'march by the millions'...   (Getty Images)
Libyan rebels run for cover during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli, on August 21, 2011. A beleaguered Moamer Kadhafi urged supporters to 'march by the millions' and quash a months-long uprising, as rebel forces advanced on Tripoli and claimed his 42-year rule was on...
Libyan rebels run for cover during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli, on August 21, 2011. A beleaguered Moamer Kadhafi urged supporters to 'march by the millions'...   (Getty Images)
Libyan rebels run for cover during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli, earlier today.
Libyan rebels run for cover during fighting against regime forces near the Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli, earlier today.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
0%
9%
12%
70%
3%
6%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne