Libya: “They Were Shooting Us Randomly” (Videos)  · Global Voices
John Liebhardt

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
As each day passes, it seems demonstrators and rebel military factions are coming closer to ousting the 40-year regime of Colonel Muammer Al Gaddafi. Like other days, however, Friday bore more news of violence against civilians, and worries that Gaddafi will soon do something extreme.
Stoking fears, Gaddafi addressed a crowd at Green Square in Central Tripoli Friday afternoon, repeating threats of violence against his opponents.
This great drive against one of the world's most intractable regimes has come at incredible human cost. As foreign countries rush to evacuate their citizens, the last stand will most likely pit Gaddafi against his own people — and the foreign citizens who could not get out.
Protesters in Tripoli took to the streets in an attempted mass demonstration after Friday prayers. Many groups were promptly met with gunfire from troops loyal to Gaddafi.
brqnetwork uploaded a video of protesters in Tripoli filmed during the day.
Here is a video, uploaded by newstweet, of protesters in the Al Siahiya area of Tripoli under fire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57fE1IaHB-0
This video, uploaded by sunnkaa, provides a good sample of the sounds of Tripoli during the later afternoon of Friday, February 25.
The Twitter discussions ranged from reports of phone conversations with people hiding in Tripoli, tweets from those living in the capital city and other news from the ground:
The airspace over the Libyan capital Tripoli is not closed. Among most active air companies are Turkish Airlines and Egyptair. #Libya #feb17
@Libya_United“I just came back from Protesting in #Arada and #Tajoura alot of Martyrs , Please Allah grant us with victory” @Ennaas says #Feb17 #Libya
@ealmahdi: Everybody is… “@AJELive: Al Jazeera's correspondent in eastern #Libya, reports that people are anxious about what Gaddafi might do next.”
@iyad_elbaghdadi: Mercenaries shoot and then keep quiet and listen for any noise of protests away. If they hear any they head towards it and shoot. #Libya
@7our According to @SL0wZEr, many civilian cars were used as Trojan horses, Gaddafi's militias shot protesters from them. #Tripoli #Libya #feb17
@SL0wZEr: i just can't take this image out of my mind, they were shooting us randomly .. #Libya #Feb17
@Ennaas: @SL0wZEr You are right…the gunshots were flying up my head !!
@AliTweel: this is not the life we should be living. we deserve better. we are peaceful people, brilliant and generous.
@BBCWorld: A #Libyan diplomat at the United Nations says ‘thousands’ have been killed in the unrest according to AFP
@iyad_elbaghdadi: Through another contact, also by phone, I learnt very disturbing news, about targeting any unaccompanied foreigners in Tripoli. #Libya
@iyad_elbaghdadi: Before the protesters reach their destination, in Al-Hani district, they were attacked by mercenaries. #Libya
@iyad_elbaghdadi: Contact also confirms that there have been clean ups by #Gaddafi troops & loyalists. #Libya
@iyad_elbaghdadi: My contact confirmed that many people are in their homes, scared to go out, even scared to look from the window or balcony. #Libya
@Liberty4Libya: Burial of 5 martyrs in Souq Al Jumuah now #Tripoli #Libya #Libia #Feb17
@AliTweel: gun fire everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, everywhere.
@libi4ever: There is actual war in Misrata right now, at least 1 died many injured, I can hear the fire #libya #feb17
@Maysoon__: God bless & protect the protesters in #Libya. In the darkest hour the soul is replenished & given strength to continue & endure #Tripoli
@iyad_elbaghdadi:
To sum up, #Gaddafi is still putting down protests. He's not holding territory though, he has mobile mercenaries going around. #Libya
@AliTweel: I am unarmed man setting in my house with my terrified wife, innocent son and hearing gunfire outside roaming around my neighborhood.
@iyad_elbaghdadi: I'm really worried this will end as a street to street battle in Tripoli rather than a jubilant peaceful demonstration. #Libya
Finally, we have a video from newstweet of soldiers patrolling the streets of Tripoli, whom the author claims are African mercenaries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIfxlTroWxk&feature=uploademail
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.