Libya Rebels Tout Capture of Zawiya: Is This Rebels’ Latest Failed Offensive?
Tripoli Looms Deceptively Close in Latest Rebel Offensive
Libyan rebels today raised the flag over the strategically important town of Zawiya, not far from Tripoli. The move has some rebels insisting that they will soon be attacking the capital city of Tripoli, and ousting the Gadhafi regime.
Of course, this boundless confidence is nothing new, and rebels have repeatedly predicted an offensive to be a “game-changer” only to watch their gains quickly evaporate in a counter-offensive, which itself runs out of steam and leaves the status quo intact.
The apparent capture of Zawiya came after reports of fighting in the city, though the regime’s heavy armaments were reportedly kept back in Tripoli, with rebels reportedly fighting troops to the south as well.
Though NATO has insisted that the regime can no longer launch a “credible military offensive” all indications are that they retain a significant force inside the capital, and the 50 km march from Zawiya to Tripoli is likely to be anything but a cakewalk in a war which seems destined to end stalemated.
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Leonard
August 14th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Assuming the rebel forces can hold both Zawiyah & Garyan, admittedly a difficult task, there may not necessarily be such a tough road to Tripoli. Already facing shortages, the loss of outside smuggled resources and the Zawiyah refinery could produce a shockwave of protests, defections and ultimately regime change. The common government soldier may not be allowed free access to news, but when gasoline, weapons and even foods stop showing up, they know that they are cut off and thus the enemy must have them surrounded. Of course, a "starve out" scenario might save lives on the battle field but would be very difficult for the residents of Tripoli.
Robert Shule
August 14th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Likely is that the "Rebels" care less about any achieving any game changing offensive, so long as they are getting paid (by NATO.) Important that their PR is good.
Geltmeister
August 14th, 2011 at 11:56 pm
"The common government soldier may not be allowed free access to news"
And you are? Or are you encountering difficulty in assessing pure fiction from fact?
BuzzyBee
August 15th, 2011 at 9:37 am
The problem with this is that armed men (ie. soldiers) are most often the last ones to go without food. Also as with sanctions this also has the potential to further strengthen the support for the regime, so it has the potential to be a double edged sword.
pendulum
August 15th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Gadhafi's rope a dope.