Gaddafi snipers driven from roofs of embattled city of Misrata
amid most fierce scenes of urban warfare since the war began
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 8:31 PM on 22nd April 2011
Last updated at 8:31 PM on 22nd April 2011
- U.S. Senator John McCain speaks to rebel leaders in secret trip to Benghazi Coalition troops say Gaddafi forces have been reduced by up to 40 per cent
Gaddafi snipers have been driven from the roofs of tall buildings in the embattled Libyan city of Misrata.
In some of the fiercest scenes of urban warfare since trouble in the country began, rebels have started gaining tactical advantages in the only major western city held by the opposition movement. Colonel Gaddafi's regime also ramped up its rhetoric against Nato warning that 'it will be hell' for the alliance if ground troops were deployed. David Cameron said that western nations aren't moving toward such an option. The U.S. has approved the use of armed Predator drones that will allow for low-level precision attacks, suitable for urban areas like Misrata where Nato air power has been unable to protect opposition forces.
Tripoli Street: Seen for the first time since the trouble began, the scale of the damage across the city can be seen from a vantage point formerly occupied by snipers
Tall buildings around Misrata have been scenes of violent battles with rebels managing to drive the snipers away
At least seven people were killed in fighting along the main road through Misrata, Tripoli Street - the front line in the city of 300,000 people. This brings the total killed there in the last three days to 20.
The rebel-held city has been besieged by government forces for nearly two months but they haven't yet managed to gain control. Two photographers were killed there on Wednesday as the rebels went to dislodge the snipers, loyal to Gaddafi.
The rebels cut off supply routes to the Gaddafi snipers who have terrorised civilians and kept them trapped in their homes. They did so by taking over several buildings along parts of the street.
A doctor who identified himself as Ayman said: 'This battle cost us lots of blood and martyrs.' The biggest victory was driving away snipers from a battle-scarred insurance building that commanded views across the city.
However, starved of ammunition, food and water for several days they were unable to hold their positions and were forced to flee.
In Tripoli, government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim claimed Gaddafi forces control more than 80 per cent of the city and the rebels hold 'the seaport and the area surrounding it'.
Victory: Rebel fighters were today celebrating pushing loyalists out of Tripoli STreet in their makeshift armoured Jeep as they drive past a captured Gaddafi tank
Denting Gaddafi might: The rebels overpowered Gaddafi troops, forcing snipers to flee and even managing to take control of some tanks
At the beginning of the battle for Misrata the government deployed tanks and shelled the city indiscriminately, forcing people to flee. Today U.S. Senator John McCain described Libyan rebels as his heroes.
The top Republican, who is one of the biggest supporters for action in Libya, made the remark after arriving in Benghazi, which has become the main city for the rebels.
Misrata fighting has concentrated on Tripoli Street
Mr McCain said he was in Benghazi 'to get an on the ground assessment of the situation' and planned to meet with the rebel National Transition Council, the de-facto government in the eastern half of the country, and members of the rebel military.
As he walked out of a hotel in the city he said: 'They are my heroes'.
He travelled in an armoured Mercedes jeep and was surrounded by a large security detail. Some Libyans waved American flags as his motorcade drove by.
He is the highest American official to have visited the country since the rebel-held east and is a boost to the anti-Gaddafi forces.
As such, details of the trip were shrouded in secrecy to keep him safe.
Invoking the humanitarian disasters in Rwanda and Bosnia in the 1990s, McCain pressed for U.S. military intervention in Libya in February, weeks before the U.N. Security Council authorized military action to protect civilians and impose a no-fly zone.
It is suggested that coalition air strikes have now degraded Gaddafi's troops by between 30 and 40 per cent. Despite this, there are fears that the battle could now last a long time.
'It's certainly moving towards a stalemate," said Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. military's joint chiefs of staff, addressing U.S. troops during a visit to Baghdad.
He said there was no sign of al Qaeda representation in Libya's opposition, playing down concerns about any militant groups edging their way into the Libyan conflict.
'We're watchful of it, mindful of it and I just haven't seen much of it at all. In fact, I've seen no al Qaeda representation there at all,' he said.
Photographers: Tim Hetherington, left, and Chris Hondros died in a blast in Misrata on Wednesday
High profile visit: Republican senator John McCain visiting Benghazi today walks past the wall of the dead and missing with Abdul Haviz Ghoga, spokesman of the National Transitional Council
Heroes welcome: Libyan rebels gather around John McCain's car after his tour of their headquarters where he met many rebel supporters
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