Reporting from Benghazi, Libya—
A NATO airstrike in the besieged rebel-held city of Misurata mistakenly killed 12 Libyan rebels, an official with the transitional government confirmed Thursday, while new fighting was reported on Libya's western border with Tunisia.
The strike Wednesday was at least the third reported friendly fire incident since North Atlantic Treaty Organization fighter jets began pounding forces loyal to Moammar Kadafi more than five weeks ago in a mission to protect Libyan civilians.
Leaders of the anti-Kadafi forces have labeled the incidents unfortunate accidents in a worthy cause, reflecting wide support in rebel ranks for the NATO strikes.
Nonetheless, both NATO and the rebels have said additional precautions — such as marking rebel vehicles and reporting precise positions to NATO — have been employed to avoid further tragedies.
"It is regrettable, but we know the people of Misurata understand," said Shamsiddin Abdulmolah, a press liaison with the transitional council, who confirmed the death toll. "We know NATO didn't do this on purpose."
There was no immediate response from North Atlantic Treaty Organization officials.
NATO's bombing campaign is widely seen as having prevented Kadafi forces from retaking rebel-held territory, including the eastern city of Benghazi, de facto capital of the opposition. Despite the deadly friendly fire episodes, rebel officials have urged their international allies to step up the air campaign against the Kadafi regime.
Two previous inadvertent NATO strikes on anti-Kadafi forces left at least 18 rebels dead and many injured.
Reports from the scene indicated that Wednesday's strike occurred near Misurata's port, which has been a lifeline for supplies into the city and refugees going out. NATO has been bombarding loyalist forces shelling the port area.
Read More
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-libya-fighting-20110429,0,2078877.story
A NATO airstrike in the besieged rebel-held city of Misurata mistakenly killed 12 Libyan rebels, an official with the transitional government confirmed Thursday, while new fighting was reported on Libya's western border with Tunisia.
The strike Wednesday was at least the third reported friendly fire incident since North Atlantic Treaty Organization fighter jets began pounding forces loyal to Moammar Kadafi more than five weeks ago in a mission to protect Libyan civilians.
Leaders of the anti-Kadafi forces have labeled the incidents unfortunate accidents in a worthy cause, reflecting wide support in rebel ranks for the NATO strikes.
Nonetheless, both NATO and the rebels have said additional precautions — such as marking rebel vehicles and reporting precise positions to NATO — have been employed to avoid further tragedies.
"It is regrettable, but we know the people of Misurata understand," said Shamsiddin Abdulmolah, a press liaison with the transitional council, who confirmed the death toll. "We know NATO didn't do this on purpose."
There was no immediate response from North Atlantic Treaty Organization officials.
NATO's bombing campaign is widely seen as having prevented Kadafi forces from retaking rebel-held territory, including the eastern city of Benghazi, de facto capital of the opposition. Despite the deadly friendly fire episodes, rebel officials have urged their international allies to step up the air campaign against the Kadafi regime.
Two previous inadvertent NATO strikes on anti-Kadafi forces left at least 18 rebels dead and many injured.
Reports from the scene indicated that Wednesday's strike occurred near Misurata's port, which has been a lifeline for supplies into the city and refugees going out. NATO has been bombarding loyalist forces shelling the port area.
Read More
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-libya-fighting-20110429,0,2078877.story
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