Libyan rebels seize control of northwestern town of Yafran

Libyan rebels have pushed Gaddafi troops from the northwestern town of Yafran The rebels seeking to oust Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi from power, dealt the regime another blow by entering and taking control of the northwestern town of Yafran. A Reuters photographer , Youssef Boudlal, has been quoted saying that the town had been wrested by the rebels. He went on to say: "We are inside the town ... There is no sign of any Al Gaddafi forces. I can see the rebel flags ... We have seen posters and photos of Gaddafi that have been destroyed," he said.

Yafran had been held by the Gaddafi forces since the start of the fighting and it was not initially clear what tilted the balance in the rebels' favour. Not much details are known, although the Gaddafi forces might have abandoned the town as a result of the NATO air strikes or use of the Apache helicopters.

The rebel advance came amid continuing fighting between Gaddafi loyalist forces and the rebels fighting to end Gaddafi's rule, forcing him to step down.
Explosions in Tripoli.

Controlling Yafran continues to boost the rebels' attitude towards their efforts and comes on top of other gains in Misurata and Brega. NATO's air strikes on Gaddafi's ammunition dumps and structures, and the attacks by the Apache helicopters have been a great help.

Gaddafi's buildings have continued to be targeted by the NATO warplanes late Sunday evening and early morning, and powerful explosions were heard in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. But information on recent damage to Gaddafi's armour with these powerful blasts has not diffused.

No comments from the regime or NATO this far, although unofficially, government sources have said that the warplanes hit a military barracks in Tripoli,. But there are no reports of any casualties.

From The Tripoli Post