Libyan Civil War Megathread

[jimmy olsen]

Mind giving us a small summary?

[Tonitrus]

Mind giving us a small summary?

Basically, different areas of Libya are run by local militias who, while claiming to be all about "defending the revolution", are probably just all about turf wars and protecting their local smuggling rackets (by shelling the neighboring town with mortars).  If not that, they are demanding payouts from the fledgling government, and if not paid they start blockading roads.  Includes the "militia" the runs the Tripoli airport worried that the government is trying to supplant them with some other militia.

Cue hysterical British journalist driving through areas with lots of guys in ragged clothes waving around guns and firing off shots.

Not to mention a plethora of the latest model year in "technicals".  Looks like a version of a 2008+ Toyota Tundra double cab.

[CountDeMoney]

Not to mention a plethora of the latest model year in "technicals".  Looks like a version of a 2008+ Toyota Tundra double cab.

Sweet.  A guy at work got the latest double cab model, it's like a Redneck Lincoln.  Can only imagine how it rides with a recoiless rifle or a 12.7mm heavy.

[Ed Anger]

Mind giving us a small summary?

Basically, different areas of Libya are run by local militias who, while claiming to be all about "defending the revolution", are probably just all about turf wars and protecting their local smuggling rackets (by shelling the neighboring town with mortars).  If not that, they are demanding payouts from the fledgling government, and if not paid they start blockading roads.  Includes the "militia" the runs the Tripoli airport worried that the government is trying to supplant them with some other militia.

Cue hysterical British journalist driving through areas with lots of guys in ragged clothes waving around guns and firing off shots.

Not to mention a plethora of the latest model year in "technicals".  Looks like a version of a 2008+ Toyota Tundra double cab.

Stop enabling Tim's laziness.

[mongers]

Mind giving us a small summary?

Basically, different areas of Libya are run by local militias who, while claiming to be all about "defending the revolution", are probably just all about turf wars and protecting their local smuggling rackets (by shelling the neighboring town with mortars).  If not that, they are demanding payouts from the fledgling government, and if not paid they start blockading roads.  Includes the "militia" the runs the Tripoli airport worried that the government is trying to supplant them with some other militia.

Cue hysterical British journalist driving through areas with lots of guys in ragged clothes waving around guns and firing off shots.

Not to mention a plethora of the latest model year in "technicals".  Looks like a version of a 2008+ Toyota Tundra double cab.

Not so sure about the guy being hysterical, he seems to be a seasoned jurno, but not a bad summary otherwise.

Though I'd add the part you missed about the hundreds of Africans detained and held without trial, was rather interesting.

[The Brain]

Mind giving us a small summary?

Basically, different areas of Libya are run by local militias who, while claiming to be all about "defending the revolution", are probably just all about turf wars and protecting their local smuggling rackets (by shelling the neighboring town with mortars).  If not that, they are demanding payouts from the fledgling government, and if not paid they start blockading roads.  Includes the "militia" the runs the Tripoli airport worried that the government is trying to supplant them with some other militia.

Cue hysterical British journalist driving through areas with lots of guys in ragged clothes waving around guns and firing off shots.

Not to mention a plethora of the latest model year in "technicals".  Looks like a version of a 2008+ Toyota Tundra double cab.

Not so sure about the guy being hysterical, he seems to be a seasoned jurno, but not a bad summary otherwise.

Though I'd add the part you missed about the hundreds of Africans detained and held without trial, was rather interesting.

How many non-Africans are in Libya now?

[Sheilbh]

Not so sure about the guy being hysterical, he seems to be a seasoned jurno, but not a bad summary otherwise.

Peter Oborne's always hysterical.  He update 'Guilty Men' to be about pro-Euro politicians and journos.  His Telegraph column has swung, in literally one week, from describing Cameron as potentially one of our greatest PMs to the example of the moral turpitude of our political class.

Doesn't mean he's not a good read though.  Arguably that's why he's a good read.