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Libya: Videos Expose Gaddafi's Violent Riposte

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Libya, Human Rights, Media & Journalism, Protest, War & Conflict, Youth

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011 [1].

As pro-democracy forces advance toward Gaddafi's main strongholds, the dictator of Libya is stepping up efforts to retake regions lost to the rebellion. The crackdown is proving deadly. International news organisations have been conveying stories of attacks carried out by pro-Gaddafi forces against civilians. The coastal cities of Zawiyah (just 50 kilometres west of the capital Tripoli), Misurata, Ras Lanuf, Al-Bayda and Ajdabiya have reportedly been bombarded overnight recording heavy casualties. Amidst an almost complete Internet and media blackout, videos still manage to be leaked, giving us a glimpse of what's happening on the ground. Here's a video round up.

In this video posted by encryptedreality [2], a volunteer Egyptian Vascular Surgeon describes the kind of injuries he encountered in the cities of Al-Bayda and Ajdabiya:

encryptedreality who also posted this video says it shows civilians being shot at by pro-Gaddafi troops in an area near the oil port of Ras Lanuf:

This other video posted by arrdvarks [3] was filmed in a hospital near Ras Lanuf that is apparently struggling to cope with the wounded and dead. People gathering outside the building say pro-Gadhafi forces used heavy artillery, helicopters and air strikes against the rebellion:

(Warning: some images are graphic in nature. Viewer discretion is advised.)

It is not clear where in Libya and when the following video, posted by newstweet [4], was filmed. It shows protesters apparently being shot at while they were praying outside a mosque:

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011 [1].