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Libya: Gaddafi sons leave squad to defend stronghold using human shields is.gd/O2w6XY #Libya
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Libya: Gaddafi sons leave squad to defend stronghold using human shields
September 5, 2011
Col Gaddafi’s sons have fled their stronghold of Bani Walid, scuppering negotiations for its surrender and leaving behind a squad of troops with orders to defend it using residents as human shields, according to rebel forces.
Saif al-Islam and Mutassim Gaddafi were said to have been in the town, one of only three major Libyan centres still holding out for the former leader, as recently as last week.
Rebel military leaders said residents had told them that the two had fled, leaving behind a detachment up to 100 loyalist troops and local allies who have taken up positions in private houses in anticipation of a rebel attack.
“The main Gaddafi brigade left with Saif al-Islam,” said Abdullah Kenshil, the chief negotiator for the rebels, at a checkpoint north of the town. “We think there are 70 troops left there in the town, but there are other people with them.”
He added that residents were being prevented from fleeing.
Col Abdulrazzaq al-Nadouri, the deputy commander of rebel forces based in the town of Tarhouna, about 50 miles to the north, added: “Some of them [Gaddafi forces] are hiding in local families they are using as human shields. We’re afraid for the families in the town.”
