Libya: Gaddafi Forces Continue to Shell Zawiya  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.
Intense reports of tank and artillery shelling of Al Zawiya, in the north western part of Libya, are making the rounds on Twitter.
With little information coming out of Libya as reporters were holed up at Tripoli Hotel waiting for Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to make an appearance, Sky News reported the carnage, saying that the people of Zawiya are fighting for their lives, as tanks shell residential buildings. Meanwhile, the Libyan state propaganda machine announced that Zawiya has been “liberated” from the rebels.
Here are some of the reactions from Twitter:
@ChangeInLibya: Reports that Gaddafi troops in Zawiya are turning against each other and arguments are rife because they can't capture it #libya #feb17
@ChangeInLibya: Zawiya will forever be an inspiration for all Libyans, just like #benghazi They single handedly fought back all of Gaddafi's army #libya
@libyafreedomnew: Gaddafi troops have orders to capture #Zawiya by wed. They rely on tanks and artillery only, as they know they can't capture it using mercs.
@Shnesh: #Libya #Zawiya shows a key weakness of #Gaddafi. He's using mostly tanks- Shows he has little infantry+he fears defection thru human contact
@YAFA1948: Gaddafi troops continue to strike Zawiya by air and land. #Libya
@NicRobertsonCNN: #Gadhafi forces continued to pound #Zawiya today. Reliable source tells us 2 doctors shot in main square by Army & 2 med clinics shut down.
@NicRobertsonCNN: Reliable source says Injured civilns n #Zawiya not being treated, r being shot by army — but Libya Dep FM denies there r civiln casualties.
@jan15egy: This courageous coverage of #Libya from a SkyNews team is impressive. Refuted #Gaddafi's claims of controlling #Zawiya http://goo.gl/YQBO9
@libya_Horra: http://bit.ly/dPLh5h When I read this #SKYNEWS report from #Zawiya i started crying, #Libya truly have #WARRIORS!! #Feb17 #gaddaficrimes
@mandaproud: 2nd time I have watched the report from Zawiya on SKY. We have to do something the people are so so brave they must not lose.
@jacinta_p: Journalists in Tripoli waited eight hours for Gaddafi today. His forces were busy shelling Zawiya. It's like a Beckett play, but sadder.
@ibntarabulus: Gaddafi wants to thank the international media & community for staying silent while he destroyed the city of Zawiyah #Libya #Gaddafi
@AminBenzriouil: while #Zawiya and #RasLanouf were attacked, journalists were waiting for #Gaddafi's speach…sounds like a strategy that obviously worked!!
@malvernchela: Night night, tweeps. I can feel victory for #Libya coming very soon. Much strength to the brave ppl of #Zawiya; you are so brave!
This post is part of our special coverage Libya Uprising 2011.