Failing to hold ground on its own despite the enforcement of a no-fly-zone, the Libyan opposition battling the regime of strongman Muammar Qadhafi is set to deepen its military dependence on the West.
The opposition's high-speed retreat on the battlefield is now exposing the strategic town of Ajdabiyah for a possible takeover by the better armed and trained regime forces. The opposition militia was earlier on Thursday practically dislodged from the oil town of Brega. Mr. Qadhafi's loyalists are now also in control of Ras Lanuf, famous for its oil refinery. Apart from making deep inroads in Libya's oil heartland, the regime forces, with Ajdabiyah exposed, can soon threaten Benghazi, the opposition's capital, which is only a 90- minute drive away. Ajdabiyah's takeover can also radiate some nervousness among opposition supporters further to the east in Tobruk, as a well-developed road, which regime forces can use for a rapid advance, links the two cities.
On Thursday, there was more bad news for the opposition from Misurata, Libya's third largest city where pro-Qadhafi forces seemed to tightening their grip. An opposition spokesman told Reuters that civilian casualties in the city, which was being heavily shelled by regime forces, were mounting. “Massacres are taking place in Misurata,” said opposition spokesman, who identified himself as Sami. Desperate for a bail-out, the opposition, hardly with leverage to impose conditions, is now seeking advanced weaponry from the West.
Unsurprisingly, CIA operatives are reportedly on ground in Libya, to prepare for the transfer of weapons to opposition fighters.
Two prominent American newspapers, the New York Times and Washington Post are reporting that CIA personnel are gathering information about the composition of the opposition. They say that the Obama administration, several weeks ago, signed a secret order that authorises the CIA to supply covertly, weapons and other support to the anti-Qadhafi groups.
Vital intelligence
The Times elaborates that dozens belonging to the British Special Forces, as well as MI6 intelligence officers are already on ground in Libya. They have been providing vital intelligence about the location of regime heavy weapons and missiles — information that is vital for British fighter jets engaged in seeking ground targets from the sky.
But adding a note of caution, before an elaborate project to steel the opposition with weapons and training commences, the Washington Post pointed out that the CIA's history as witnessed in Afghanistan after the Afghan militant groups were armed “is replete with efforts that backfired against US interests in unexpected ways”.
Meanwhile, rejecting exhortations in some Western capitals that Mr. Qadhafi should quit Libya, a government spokesman said on Thursday the Libyan leader will stay put “until the end,” and emerge victorious.
