Libya: Qaddafi forces claim capture of rebel stronghold of Brega, rebels denied
Muammar Qaddafi’s forces swept rebels from one of their final strongholds with hours of searing waves of strikes from warships, tanks and warplanes on Sunday but the insurgents claimed that they moved back in after nightfall.
One rebel said that after their initial defeat, opposition forces destroyed armored vehicles and captured dozens of fighters from Qaddafi’s elite Khamis Brigade in the oil town of Brega, driving others back into the town’s airport.
Another opposition fighter told The Associated Press by telephone that celebrations had broken out in the nearby city of Ajdabiya, and celebratory gunfire, honking and shouting could be heard in the background.
“We are on our way to Brega to celebrate with our brothers there,” he said.