Libya: inside the SAS operation that went wrong As the diplomatic team in
Libya were rescued by HMS Cumberland after their humiliating capture, the
Ministry of Defence was left trying to work out what on earth went wrong.
The troops knew they were entering a volatile situation Photo: AP
By Caroline Gammell<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/caroline-gammell/>,
and Nick Meo in Benghazi 8:08PM GMT 06 Mar 2011
When the helicopter touched down outside Benghazi in the early hours of
Friday morning, the SAS troops on board knew they were entering a volatile
situation.
Tasked with escorting a diplomat to meet rebel
*Libyan<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/>
*forces and assessing the humanitarian situation on the ground, they did
not, however, expect a hostile reception.
With the British Government openly rejecting Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and
already in dialogue with opposition leaders, it should have been an
uncontroversial visit.
However, the manner of their arrival – in the dead of night, armed with
weapons, maps and explosives while dressed in plain black clothing – did
little to assuage local panic.
The contingent of seven SAS officers and one MI6 official landed about 20
miles from Benghazi, where local witnesses said warning shots were fired as
they arrived. As the soldiers tried to get to a nearby compound, they were
quickly surrounded by the local militia who demanded to know who they were
and what they were doing.
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They tried to bluff their way out of the increasingly tense situation,
claiming they were unarmed, which was only made worse when their weapons
were discovered.
Realising their cover had been blown and their supposedly discreet mission
had been compromised, the soldiers put up no resistance as they were
arrested.
Handcuffed and taken to a military base in Benghazi, they were well treated
and allowed contact with British diplomats in the troubled country.
As the humiliating news of their arrest started to spread, the paths of
diplomatic communication sprang into life.
Richard Northern, the British ambassador to Libya, was purportedly recorded
having a conversation with one of the rebel leaders to try and solve the
situation.
The tape, played on Libyan state television, showed him pleading for the
group, claiming there had been a "misunderstanding" and asking for the
opposition to intervene.
Mr Northern said the group was a small advance party of officials hoping to
contact anti-Gaddafi forces and assess the humanitarian situation.
He even claimed that the group were planning to look for suitable hotels
during the visit.
"I understand there has been a misunderstanding and they have been picked up
by security groups who are concerned about their presence and who they are,"
he said.
"I hope to ask Mr Jalil (Mustafa Abdel Jalil, Col Gaddafi's former justice
minister and now senior rebel leader) if he might be able to intervene and
clear up this misunderstanding."
Mr Jalil's spokesman told the ambassador the British had made a major error
in the manner of their arrival.
"They made a big mistake coming with a helicopter in an open area," he said.
His view was echoed by other rebels in Benghazi, who were puzzled by the way
in which the British forces arrived.
Jalil Elgallal, a member of Benghazi's revolutionary media committee, said:
"Nobody here was informed of their arrival; it has all been rather peculiar
and we don't understand why they turned up like this."
Another rebel source said: "If this is an official delegation, why come with
helicopters? Why not say 'we are coming, permission to land at the airport?'
There are rules for these things."
By Sunday afternoon, a crisis had been averted as the soldiers were released
and their weapons confiscated.
As they were rescued by HMS Cumberland which docked briefly in Benghazi
before setting sail to Malta, the Ministry of Defence was left trying to
work out what on earth went wrong.
*Aljazeera Live Blog*
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-7
http://www.libyafeb17.com/
← Older posts <http://www.libyafeb17.com/page/2/>
Video: Compilation of
Misrata<http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/breaking-revolutionaries-attacked-at-bin-jawad/>
Posted on March 6,
2011<http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/breaking-revolutionaries-attacked-at-bin-jawad/>
by Admin <http://www.libyafeb17.com/author/admin/>
*This post is being constantly updated*
*All times are in Libyan local time +2 GMT*
*00:15 Video compilation of Misrata*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTOyRNRDxa8&feature=player_embedded
*23:54* @LibyaInMe tweets that there is fierce fighting between Gaddafi’s
forces and revolutionaries in Sirte right now.
*22:47 BBC*: The UN has demanded “urgent access” to the rebel city of
Misrata, which has come under heavy shelling by government forces and where
a UN envoy said the “injured and dying” needed immediate help, AFP reports.
*21:36* In a live call on Al Jazeera, someone who returned from the battle
at Ras Lanuf says that troops made up of mercenaries also included women
holding children so revolutionaries could not shoot. (Via @ShababLibya)
*22:29* Ibn Omar tweets: “tripoli: shootings starting up again. sounds of
running and gunfire near green square area.”
*22:26 Al Jazeera* – Revolutionaries release British Diplomat and 7 SAS
soldiers. They have embarked on HMS Cumberland since
*21:25 Al Jazeera* have put up a fax they received detailing the
Transitional Council’s first meeting. Click on the image to see the original
size.
<http://blogs.aljazeera.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/FeaturedImagePost/images/Libyastatement.jpg>
*21:12* The Transitional National Council announces Omar el-Hariri as its
“representative of Military Affairs for safety and security”. Follow them
@LibyanTNC
*20:17 Reuters* reports that the opposition forces have said they were not
contacted about Chavez’ peace plan. “We have not heard of this and were not
contacted officially by anyone wanting to negotiate,” spokesman Hafiz Ghoga
told a news conference in Libya’s second city. Asked if the rebels would
respond positively, he said: “It depends on what they present to us but we
are acting on the demands of our people and we cannot forego those demands.
<http://blogs.aljazeera.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/FeaturedImagePost/images/Libyastatement.jpg>
*19:17
*<http://blogs.aljazeera.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/FeaturedImagePost/images/Libyastatement.jpg>
*@iyad_elbaghdadi <http://twitter.com/#!/iyad_elbaghdadi> translating a call
from Misratah live on Al Jazeera. Thank you Iyad. He tweeted:*
Latest figure, 93 injured, at least 20 are critical
A third of our casualties (dead/injured) today are civilians, including
young children.
Two year old boy was shot in the chest.
We lured their convoy into the city center and then cut them off and
surrounded them.
Among the Gaddafi cars today firing on civilians was an ambulance with
Tripoli plates.
Even before the war our health care system was barely functioning, so
imagine how it is now…
We are low on anesthetics, there are over 60 injured.
Hospital and drug storage warehouse was hit by Gaddafi shelling.
17 dead today among revolutionaries & civilians; including a two year old
boy.
*19:11 The Guardian* reports that it seems the British troops that were
detained by the opposition may be on their way out. Al Jazeera’s Hoda Hamid
reported seeing the eight men board the HMS Cumberland. She said she was was
shown an official letter explaining seven of them were providing the
security detail for the eighth, a diplomat, who was attempting to get in
contact with opposition forces.
A video of Misrata, apparently showing the town earlier today
*18:19 Al Jazeera* eyewitness says negotiations are currently under way and
revolutionaries will enter Sirt without a fight
*18:07 Al Jazeera* eyewitness says revolutionaries killed 22 from Gaddafi’s
soldiers. The citizens of Misratah suffered a loss of 16 people, amongst
them a 12 year old child. They also suffered 60 injuries, amongst them 6 in
critical condition. The city is now out in the thousands celebrating and
chanting in support of the revolution
*17:57* A resident in Misrata gives more details to Reuters of the success
in driving back government forces saying: “The revolutionaries captured 20
soldiers and seized a tank. The town is now fully in the control of the
youths.”
*Come on Libya! *– by far the best compilation video we’ve posted so far
*Libyan Revolution – Take Whats
Yours<http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh4nbr_libyan-revolution-take-whats-yours_news>
*
*Uploaded by libyansrevolt <http://www.dailymotion.com/libyansrevolt>. – News
videos hot off the press. <http://www.dailymotion.com/gb/channel/news>*
*17:35 Al Jazeera* Tanks are still engaged in shelling Az Zawiya.
Electricity, telephones and internet are still cut from the city
*17:33 Al Jazeera* Gaddafi tanks are shelling Misratah from the western
side. However, Reuters and several twitter users report that Misrata has
repelled government attacks and that Gaddafi’s forces have withdrawn.
*17:30 Al Jazeera* Heavy presence of Gaddafi fighter jets and helicopters
over the area of Brega right now
*15:48 BBC* Volleys of gunfire are still hammering around Tripoli, says the
BBC’s Jeremy Bowen there. But he says there are questions being asked in
Tripoli about the thousands of rounds that have been fired today. “Now, in
daylight, it’s clear that it is coming from Gaddafi supporters… But before
dawn it sounded different, more like a fight. That’s how it sounded.
Different sorts of guns appeared to be exchanging fire. And later on, a
Libyan man came up to me to say that there had been some sort of shootout
going on, and the mass firing in the air and the celebrations had been
started to cover it up.”
*15:23 Al Jazeera* reports that Az-Zawiyah is under renewed airstrikes
*15:15 AP* summarises what its reporters have seen of the fierce fighting
between Ras Lanuf and Bin Jawad: “The reporters witnessed air attacks by
helicopters on the rebel forces and heavy fighting on the ground. A warplane
also attacked a small military base at Ras Lanuf and destroyed three hangars
and a small building. Regime forces shelled rebel positions at Ras Lanuf
with rockets and artillery.”
*The Guardian*‘s Peter Beaumont writes: What is clear, however, is that a
large military deployment appears to be under way in Tripoli and the
surrounding areas, with ever more tanks visible both inside the city and in
the countryside and more missile launchers seen on the roads. One column of
BM-21 Grad launchers seen by the Guardian on Saturday included 11 vehicles.
*14:42* The BBC’s John Simpson in Ras Lanuf says a helicopter from Col
Gaddafi’s airforce has flown over as though trying to work out the strength
of the rebel defences. The rebels are experiencing a shortage of fuel. All
of this increases their anxiety, he says.
*14:42 Al Jazeera* Revolutionaries regrouping in preparation to move west
towards Al Wadi Al Ahmar
*14:39 Almanara Media* Reports From Al Zawiya that the revolutionaries have
defeated the forces of Gaddafi and killed 21 of them, looted 4 Land Cruiser
carrying anti-aircraft weapons in addition to tanks and jeeps.
*14:30* @LibyanDictator CONFIRMED: Brigade in Ben Wleed moved towards
#Misrata yesterday and accessed city from 3 entrances
*14:18 The BBC’s* John Simpson in Ras Lanuf says rebel troops are heading
westwards and are about 45km west of Ras Lanuf but he says they are running
into stiffer resistance than they were expecting and have experienced so
far. Col Gaddafi’s TV service claims that his men have re-captured Ras Lanuf
but this is clearly not true, our correspondent says.
*14:09 BBC* A local doctor in Misrata tells the BBC that four government
tanks have entered the city firing on people indiscriminately – even
shooting at an ambulance. He says the situation is “very bad”; at least
three people are dead and scores more have been injured – he says people are
being treated for gunshot wounds to the arms, shoulders and legs.
*14:10 Al Jazeera* Eyewitness confirms that one tank has been destroyed in
Misratah. Revolutionaries led them in and have now surrounded them from all
directions.
*13:56 BBC* The British government confirms it has a diplomatic team in
Libya, but will not comment on reports that SAS members have been seized by
rebel forces
*13:56 Reuters* Libyan government forces are attacking the revolution-held
town of Misrata using tanks and artillery, destroying everything in their
path as they try to reach the town’s centre, a resident tells Reuters by
telephone
*13:42 Reuters* A Ukrainian nurse who worked for Gaddafi for over two years
is secretly filmed by a Ukrainian journalist as saying that the Libyan
leader is in good health and is a “great psychologist”
*13:28 Gaddafi* has spoken to a french news agency and denies that he has
given orders for troops to fire at revolutionaries. He also stated that he
has not given orders to use force yet
*13:25 @ShababLibya* Constant gun fire through the morning heard in Tajoora
district of Tripoli
*13:18 Al Jazeera* Two Gaddafi planes have been shot down in the Ras Lanuf
region. Both pilots have been captured and have been identified as *Syrian*
*13:12 Al Jazeera* – An eyewitness has just called from Misratah and stated
the following:
*From around an hour, Misratah started getting attacked from the western
entrance. Local urging people to stay in their homes. Some tanks have
entered into the main roads of Misratah and shelling heavily. They are
trying one final attempt to reclaim the city.*
*Tanks and 3 to 4 armoured personnel carries have entered. Analysts say
these tanks cannot stay because Misratah is completely liberated. The
revolutionaries will attack these tanks in any way possible.*
**
**
*Revolutionaries are using ammunition sparingly, but the Gaddafi forces are
firing left right and center with the aim of terrorising the residents*.
*12:48 Al Jazeera*: Revolutionaries reject claims that Gaddafi forces have
reoccupied Tobruk, Ras Lanuf, Misratah and Zawiyah
*12:48 Reuters* A revolutionary spokesman in Zawiya says revolutionaries are
still in control of the town centre, as an attack by pro-Gaddafi forces has
been pushed back.
*12:32 BREAKING* Eyewitness tells Al Jazeera that the city of Misratah is
being heavily bombarded by Gaddafi’s forces right now
*12:25 AFP* reports that 15 people have been injured in clashes at Bin Jawad
this morning
*12:15 AP* reports that revolutionaries say they have withdrawn from Bin
Jawad after clashes this morning
*12:01 Reuters* reports that revolutionaries have shot down a helicopter,
the report does not say where
*11:57 BBC* A huge explosion has been heard in the rebel-held oil town of
Ras Lanuf, followed by the sound of anti-aircraft guns opening fire, an AFP
reporter says.
*11:52 BBC* Libyan rebel forces are falling back to Ras Lanuf from positions
further west, firing at a helicopter overhead, Reuters quotes a witness as
saying. It follows reports that government forces had attacked rebels in Bin
Jawad, west of Ras Lanuf.
*11:11 Reuters* reports that Gaddafi forces have attacked Bin Jawad. One
injured fighter says they attacked with machine guns and RPGs. Another
fighter said there were snipers. Ambulances rushed casualties back to Ras
Lanuf
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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