Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Hugging the Enemy

Libyan loyalist forces are making a major effort, it seems, to capture Misrata in the west before any ceasefire can happen or before the coalition can start providing air support to rebels in combat:

Misrata, the last western city held by rebels, was being bombarded by Gadhafi's forces on Tuesday, his tanks and snipers controlling the streets, according to a doctor there who said civilians were desperately searching for shelter and food. ...

"Snipers are everywhere in Misrata, shooting any one who walks by while the world is still watching," he said. "The situation is going from bad to worse. We can do nothing but wait. Sometimes we depend on one meal per day."

Getting mixed up and close to the rebels and civilians within the city will make it easier to continue the campaign to capture the city under threat of coalition air power. Encircling the city from a distance just makes their equipment JDAM bait.

I don't hold out much hope for Misrata. When the dust settles, it will be on the wrong side of the ceasefire line.