at the same time, the military situation is really fucked up, for lack of a better term:
Quote:
It had taken more than five days of allied bombardment to destroy government tanks and artillery in the strategic town of Ajdabiya before rebels rushed in and chased Gaddafi's troops 300km (200miles) west in a two-day dash along the coast. Two days later the rebels have been pushed back to close to where they started
The Libyan army first ambushed the chaotic caravan of volunteers, supporters and bystanders outside Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte, then outflanked them through the desert, a manoeuvre requiring the sort of discipline the rag-tag rebels lack
The towns of Nawfaliyah, Bin Jawad and Ras Lanuf fell in quick succession to the lightning government counter-strike. Rebels showed no signs of trying to hold on to the next town, Brega, but carried on towards Ajdabiya, where some regrouped. Dozens of pick-up trucks mounted with machineguns milled around the western gate of Ajdabiya. Confusion reigned.
Asked what was happening, one rebel said: "We don't know. They say there may be a group of Gaddafi's men coming from the south." That would suggest another big flanking move through the endless desert which pins the coast road to the sea.
Cars carrying families and their belongings streamed out of Ajdabiya towards the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. In town after town, Gaddafi force's have unleashed a fierce bombardment from tanks, artillery and truck-launched Grad rockets which has usually forced rebels to swiftly flee. "These are our weapons," said rebel fighter Mohammed, pointing to his assault rifle. "We can't fight Grads with them," he said earlier before joining the rush away from the front.
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from reuters, about an hour ago.
Libya and Middle East unrest - live coverage | World news | guardian.co.uk
not good not good at all.