Gaddafi stronghold Bani Walid falls

[ButterflyBlood]

Source: The Guardian

One of the two last strongholds of Gaddafi loyalists, the town of Bani Walid, has finally been contained, Libya's interim government has claimed, leaving only parts of the ousted tyrant's birthplace out of rebel reach.

The advance by National Transitional Council (NTC) forces inside Bani Walid, about 90 miles (150km) south-east of Tripoli, came after a six-week standoff that included frequent clashes with former members of Gaddafi's security forces backed by a fiercely loyal local population.

A breakthrough in the siege of the town came over the weekend when senior members of the resident Warfilla tribe, which accounts for roughly 15% of Libya's total population, said they would recognise the NTC as long as its forces did not invade.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/17/libyan-rebels-capture-bani-walid

[tabatha]

1. No civilian deaths in the battle for baniwalid

No civilian deaths in the battle for baniwalid

freelibyanyouthShabab Libya
#baniwalid council: "no civilian deaths in the battle for baniwalid due to successful evacuation of the residents of the town" 1/2freelibyanyouthShabab Libya#baniwalid council: "this was due to the cooperation between the ntc, local council & residents." 2/2

[TheWraith]

2. Good.

That also means that the local tribes in the other hold out town will be taking a long look at their own interests. Last group to jump on board gets the sharp end of the stick.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Doubtless leaving only parts of the

city remaining standing with not much left for the fiercely loyal local population to live in.