WADI DINAR, Libya (AP) -- Revolutionary forces battled their way back into a key stronghold of Moammar Gadhafi loyalists on Sunday, seizing control of the northern half of Bani Walid and fighting supporters of the fugitive dictator in the town center, said the fighters and a resident.
After a week of efforts to negotiate a peaceful surrender of Bani Walid - one of the last bastions of Gadhafi loyalists - anti-regime fighters launched a two-pronged assault on the town that soon dissolved into street fighting. But Gadhafi supporters have put up fierce resistance and forced former rebels to retreat Saturday amid a barrage of rocket and mortar fire.
Bani Walid is one of three significant remaining bastions of support for Gadhafi, along with Sirte on the Mediterranean coast and Sabha in the southern desert. The surprisingly stiff resistance has continued despite the effective end of Gadhafi's nearly 42-year rule on Aug. 21, when Libyan fighters swept into the capital, Tripoli.
After pulling back under heavy fire Saturday, Libyan fighters pushed back into Bani Walid on Sunday, said fighter Sobhi Warfali. He said revolutionary forces now control the northern half of the town and are battling regime loyalists in the center. FULL ARTICLE HERE
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