NATO Still Bombing Libya

As Rebels Track Gadhafi, NATO Air Strikes Continue

Remember how over a week ago NATO officials were beaming with pride in their “victory” in Libya? They apparently don’t, as reports from the nation indicate that they are not only maintaining a “no-fly zone” but are still bombing the country.

The air strikes, centering around the city of Sirte, are coming in spite of the city having seemingly no air defenses, and are targeting the city’s defenders, apparently helping the rebels poised to attack a city that is staunchly pro-Gadhafi.

This is the latest in a growing number of incidents where, despite claims of being a “neutral” force in the Libyan Civil War, NATO is clearly backing the rebels’ offensives, even if it poses a threat to the civilian population.

It is also undercutting the claims that the war is virtually over, coming as Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, once falsely reported captured, vows that resistance to the rebels will continue in Sirte. He claims 20,000 armed supporters remain in the city.

Moammar Gadhafi himself remains at large as well, with the rebels claiming that are using everything from phone taps, interrogations and “Google Maps” to try to figure out where he might’ve ended up. It is a question that will continue to remain top on the rebels’ agenda.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.