Rebels Poised to Invade Gadhafi Hometown of Sirte

British, French Vow to Help Rebels 'Find Gadhafi'

In comments late this evening, Libyan rebel commander Yousif bin Yousif reported that rebel troops captured the entrances to the loyalist city of Sirte, though they withdrew from the city shortly thereafter as a “military tactic.

Yousif, who is with the Misrata Military Council (the same group that depopulated the entire agricultural city of Tawarga), said the troops were now massing on the outskirts and that the full-scale invasion of Sirte will begin “in the next few hours.”

Gadhafi’s hometown, Sirte has been a thorn in the side of rebel fighters for months, with past offensives stalling near the city. Rebels are hoping that the final conquest of the city will uncover the hiding places of a number of regime officials.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, visiting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy to revel in praise for the months of NATO bombings, promised to help the rebels find Gadhafi, who has gone missing since the sacking of Tripoli.

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.