Al Jazeera Reporter Claims Western Troops Were Spotted on the Ground in Libya
- Posted on May 30, 2011 at 6:58pm by
Billy Hallowell
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An Al Jazeera reporter made a claim that, if true, could spell trouble for Western powers operating and assisting in ongoing military campaigns in Libya. In a recent video report, war correspondent Tony Birtley claims that, despite UN resolutions forbidding such an act, he saw a group of Westerners operating there on the ground. Mediaite has more:
A report by Al Jazeera includes video the network’s correspondent suggests shows “evidence for the first time of allied boots on the ground” in Libya–a development that could break a United Nations resolution prohibiting “a foreign occupation force” in Libya.
In the video, Tony Birtley, a veteran war correspondent, describes a group of six men as “a group of armed foreigners, possibly British…seen liaising with the fighters. It could be to facilitate forthcoming helicopter attacks.”
The Guardian writes that this isn’t the first time British soldiers have been reportedly operating on the ground:
The western men seen by Al Jazeera were present on rebel lines late last week, days before British and French attack helicopters are to join the Nato campaign. They are expected to be active over Libya this week and likely to be deployed on the outskirts of Misrata, from where forces loyal to Gaddafi continue to shell rebel positions to the east.
There have been numerous reports in the British press that SAS soldiers are acting as spotters in Libya to help Nato warplanes target pro-Gaddafi forces.
[Yet, yesterday], a Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: “We don’t have any forces out there.”
While the British are denying the “boots on the ground” accusations, one wonders what role Western troops will play if the operation in Libya is intensified. You can watch Birtley’s Al Jazeera claim below:
(h/t to Mediaite)
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Comments (97)
Crucial411
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:39pmHows that for Hope and Change? By the way how’s that tire Gauge thingy workin for ya!???
Report Post »tom
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:36pmIn attempt to create a Communist / Marxist dictatorship, it wouldn’t surprise me that we have boots on the ground in Libya. Vote them out in 2012.
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:28pmBy the way JOE. Ir is the peoples military not the presidents army.
Report Post »JoeAmerica
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 8:07amWith over 300 million people living in the U.S. I don’t think the military would be good if they got orders from 300 million different people. So they get it from one person alone. I’ts his military.
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:27pmJOEAMERICA. His 60 days allowed for by the war powers act were up over a week ago. If you know anything about the war powers act?
Report Post »JoeAmerica
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 8:06amHave you read the War Powers Act. The President has 60 day, then can use another 30 days if need be.. with a total of 90 days. Forces attacked starting on March 19th, so he has 12 more days.. PROBABLY the reason why your seeing reports of Gaddfi’s compund being hit during the day, and Western boots on the ground. They want to wrap this up. But its more tricky. While the President can’t unilaterally use force, he can use force in conjunction with NATO.. who is in the Lead, and why they are in the lead. Nothing is ever simple.
Report Post »mr.goodvibe
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:23pmIt must be true. Hillary says Al Jazeera is top notch!
Report Post »clockwatcher
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:59pmLet them kill themselves Alhal would want it that way. Be sure to kill as many of your selves as needed to please Alaha than kill some more of your selfs. PS Alaha will give you millions of vargins as long as you keep killing your selfes Remember your god loves a very very high body count so keep killing each other. Leave every one els alone just kill each other. Have a nice day .
Report Post »82DJMPMSTR
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:55pmIt makes sense we would have people on the ground directing attacks and assisting the “rebels”. I wonder if the reporter asked the “rebels” what would happen once they actually gain control of the country? Will they proceed with freedom and elections, giving all religions and women the right to vote? Will they allow Christianity to practice openly and freely once they are in power?
I’d like to know the mindset behind those fighters.
I also think this is another oxymoron of the Islam and Muslims. They want to HATE the U.S. as much as possible but as soon as they need help killing other muslims…they’ll take our attack helicopters, advisers, Stinger missiles and cash..
Once the Muslim Brotherhood is in power, they’ll be using those same weapons against US forces..and the cycle just repeat’s again.
Report Post »Teaparty-grammy
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:13pmI have been wondering when somebody in the government might notice that cycle repeating itself. The fact is, EVERY single time the US goes against its own principles and heritage and backs some ruthless and corrupt dictator for reasons of political expediency, it comes back to bite us. From Cuba to Indonesia to Viet Nam to Iran to Iraq it was true. And in the end those dictators we helped to stay in power will end up using the arms we have supplied to them to kill our own soldiers. This is madness!
When will our government learn to abide by our country’s principles in its dealings with other countries?
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:52pmThis is all about Libya’s oil. Just look at the spread of Brent sea crude vs our US oil market. Then compare it to the spread anytime before this unrest started.
Report Post »Liberalismsamentaldisorder
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:00pmIt may be all about oil, and frankly that’s as valid a reason as any. The infuriating part is our government will simply NEVER tell us the truth. If we think it’s in our best interest to go to Libya to secure their oil, then say that and let’s have a real discussion.
Report Post »fmingram
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:50pmSoooo, what’s your point? Bla bla bla bla!!!!!
Report Post »Liberalismsamentaldisorder
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:49pmOK people, this is not a surprise is it? Nobody really thought we weren’t simply invading Libya did they? War powers act? Hello, congress, anybody home? Our president is currently breaking the law by taking us to war beyond 60 days without congressional approval. Like or hate Iraq, congress approved that action and all the libs call Bush a criminal. Obama IS breaking the law and the lamestream and congress is silent. Ahh the old double standard in action.
Report Post »endgamer
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:47pmU.S. Constitution. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution clearly states that the United States Congress has the power to declare war. The President does not. What the President has done is impeachable.
Report Post »Boots cannot be on the ground in Libya without declaration of war from congress period!
Teaparty-grammy
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:08pmAnd yet OBummer thumbs his nose at the war act and speculates if they pull the troops out for a day then put them back in, would that “reset the clock” on the War Act and give him a loophole to slither through?
The Constitution is nothing to OBummer except an inconvenience to work around. He simply ignores it and goes blithely on, and those gutless wonders in Congress whose JOB it is to prevent a president from Unconstitutional usurping of powers do NOTHING about it. GOP and Dems alike, they are not worth the powder it would take to blow them up.
Report Post »ThoreauHD
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:44pmDoesn‘t look like he’s claiming. It looks like he has proof. Unless Libyan have a large white population I haven’t heard about.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:12pmRetired Halliburton folks, no doubt dodging the IRS!!
Report Post »Crucial411
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:41pmIt makes no difference whether they were on the ground or not. Obama and his evil demons are are following their stated goal of stretching out the military until they are so thin that they cannot rebel here at home in America to help the citizen militia that may rise up against this regime should it come to war. Now in a stunning “can you believe this ****!” Obama is talking about reducing the military’s pay and veterans benefits. This is where he wants to cut? Oh and just a side note for those who think our military won‘t or can’t be turned to fight and kill those here at home Admiral Mike Mullen, who is himself a traitor to the United States as constitutionally formed, just addressed the military saying that those in this nation do not understand the sacrifice of those in uniform. Basically what he is saying is that we don’t appreciate them. Translation if the military begins to think that we the People don’t appreciate them they can and with the propagation of this lie will eventually be turned against the citizens of this America. It begins with the feeling lie or not of being unappreciated and from there they will be taken to hating those whom they have sworn to protect! THIS IS EVIL AT YOUR DOOR! And those at the top are turning even our great military against the people of this great nation! Admiral Mike Mullen included! The lies are flowing from the top! Out of the darkness of the bottomless pit come the filthy spewings of the devil himself!
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:15pm. Obama and his evil demons are are following their stated goal of stretching out the military until they are so thin that they cannot rebel here at home in America to help the citizen militia that may rise up against this regime should it come to war. You, sir, are apparently off your meds. Or a leftwing plant.
Report Post »usa2stay
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:37pmThey allegedly violated a UN resolution? The United Nations is a violation of logic, ethics, truth, fiscal responsibility, honesty, and honor.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 10:46pm2 USA2STAY
I heard that!
Report Post »We really need to pull the plug on the U.N. Since we are its biggest financier and largest member, it would fall apart without us. All it is a bunch of our enemies, or at least critics trying to marginalize the United States. We’d be better off without the UN. Let’s pull the plug on that rats nest of traitors.
RepubliCorp
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:31pmI bet they are French
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:36pmShould have brought a banjo!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:27pmI would not believe it if the reporter said there were NOT U.S. troops on the ground. Of course our troops are on the ground in Libya!
Report Post »Nobamazone
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:26pmGee, I wonder what everyone at the WH thought about that, you know, it is where they get their news now….. on in all the offices and waiting area’s
Report Post »Hillary, did you see that? care to comment?
Cold War Vet
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:19pmI’d like to see Nobel Peace Prize-winning liberal peacemonger Obama comment on this one.
O’ great violator of the “War Powers Act.”
With all that’s going on in the world, what the hell are we doing in Libya anyway? Obama never answered that question to my satisfaction. Whatever happened to checks and balances? He needs to be reigned in.
Report Post »JoeAmerica
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:32pmIf you know anything about the President war powers, he has the power to use the military, for a time frame, before needing concent from congress. It is after all HIS military, and he is the top official in its structure. Tho, I think this “police action” was a mistake.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:11pm@Joe
Report Post »You tell’em Joe. O”Bama got his head on straight when he found his Irish roots. BTW, Is it just me or has the One been doublin‘ up on the ol’ Nicoret lately??
Please-sir-I-want-some-more
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:33pmNo @JOEAMERICA Obama, your Messiah has already violated the War Powers Act! and should have his sorry A$$ impeached and tried for treason
Report Post »JoeAmerica
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 8:00amApparently you have no idea what the war powers act is and what it says.
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:17pmIs anyone surprised?
Under Obama’s orders….“Mission Accomplished”
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:16pmWhy do the dumb butt reporters have to spill the beans every time? Seems to me that if they started shooting some of those reporters would help the war a whole bunch.
Report Post »Richard Compton
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:14pmDoes this suprise anyone that we might have trops on the ground directing or training these so called freedom fighters. Obama said form the beginning that is was time for Quadaffi to go, do you suppose he’d say that and just not try to make it so. it could very well be that we have tropps there. Obama wants this Arab Spring thing he doesn’t realize the damage it will do over the long haul to the US, he doesn’t care. He thinks he’s in charge and no one except BeBe Netenyahu has told him different.
Report Post »Teaparty-grammy
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:01pmI‘m puzzled by Obummer’s change of heart about his good friend Gaddafi. I recall early in his presidency that he invited the SOB to stay here as an HONORED GUEST, and to pitch his lavish tent in Central Park, but the New Yorkers raised so much h*ll about it that it never happened,. Hos stoopid does this man have to be, not to realize that New Yorkers, as the home of the 9/11 attacks, might not be keen on havng a Libyan TERRORIST visit them as an “honored guest:.
O’Bummer is both clueless and he does not CARE what insult and/or abuse he heaps on the American people–after all, that is what he is there to do.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:13pmTime will tell.
Report Post »In the meantime, if Al Jazeera reported that Osama Bin Laden was there, with Elvis I’d not be surprised. Al Jazeera is not known for excellence in non-biased or truthful journalism…
Rayblue
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:51pmThey ain‘t nothin’ but hound dogs.
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 7:13am“hup 2….3….4……Occupation G. I. Blues….G.I. Blues…..G.I. Blues………….Love that Elvis!
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:11pmAnd we are suppose to believe because?
Report Post »Devil Dog 7175
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:05pmYou mean we were lied to by our government??? Just what is this world coming to?
Report Post »JoeAmerica
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:37pmPretty sure our government said no U.S. troops (boots) on the ground.. which leaves open the CIA (tennis shoes guys), special security forces, like blackwater people, and Special Ops people, who wear “boots” but do not operate under the U.S. flag.. i.e. you’ ll never see it on any article of their clothing.
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 9:37amC’mon, now. We’re dropping “humanitarian bombs of love” on Qaddafi. Why would anybody believe anything this lying US government says?
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 2:14pmSpecial Operations are still under direct command of their respective branch as well as the commander in chief (President Obama) regardless if they physically wear the US flag on their articles of clothing.
It was common for my unit, when we deployed to Afghanistan, to go outside the wire with no identifying markings. We took name tapes, rank, flags and unit insignias off. It’s just what we did. We went out with sterile uniforms. Did that mean we were no longer under the direction of the US Armed Forces and free to violate any and all international laws?
Come on now…. SF or SEALs on the ground is still boots on the ground, even if they aren’t wearing a uniform or insignias.
Report Post »MikesPace
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:02pmsupport our troops http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG8xAjLp1Fw
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:26pmThe best way we can support our troops is by getting Obama out of the White House.
Report Post »JoeAmerica
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:28pmIf they are British doesn’t that mean there are Northern Boots on the ground? They hardly look like “Troops” rather higher ups. Everybody knows the CIA is there, but those guys like to wear tennis shoes.
Report Post »restorehope
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:34pmWe should not get involved with that country anyway. Let Britain, France and other European countries pull their weight for the first time without us. If you asked Libyans, the majority of citizens would say they would love to see America destroyed…..so why risk our soldiers lives and spend millions of dollars to give aid to people who consider us their enemy?
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:36pmC’mon. They’ve been there for months already.
Cut the games. Bring our troops home yesterday.
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 7:43pmThey could be anyone, including a hired private army, but probably western “advisors”.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:11pmHate to say this but “Al Jazeera you are done many weeks late on this…”
Britain and France announced a couple of weeks back that troops were going in with attack helo’s in support with the rebels; anyone looking then at the UK or France247.com sights would have found it out and kept up on the info.
For once Ameicans have topped the Middle East terrrorist media propagands journalists.
Report Post »thebarbarian
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:48pmSHOWTIME……………… can’t argue with you there. It’s the truth. And as a side note. does anyone remember how many times Bush went on vacation or played golf?ovomit was just comming off of vacation again and played golf today. The libs are complicatly silent once again. All I remember is that within the 1st 6mths ovomit vacationed and golfed more than Bush’s 2 terms combined.
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:56pm@ JUMBLES –
Report Post »Where were YOU in 1944, ‘45???????????????????
woodyb
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 8:57pm@ JUMBLES –
Report Post »And 1917, ‘18?????????
jumbles
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:01pmWOODY B…..Where were you in 1914….1939?
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:11pm@thebarbarian. You can’t just make stuff up. Do a LITTLE digging and you’ll easily find bushie set the record for vacation days. Obama has a long way to go to even get close.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:45pmJumbles, ,just another foreign clown. Never served ,never volunteered , never put himself out for anyone. Just another foreign clown. I hate clowns.
Report Post »mill
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:49pmIt could break the NATO resolution and Obama’s back.
Report Post »fflsuun
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:50pmGlad to see this is only going to last weeks, not months… We should have made the decision much sooner to help them fix this problem in Libya. It should not have been a campaign ploy with no direction whatsoever… Embarassing! Get boots on the ground, lots of them, and find out who we’re fighting for, and get out. Either that or just stay out.
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 9:57pmYes, support our troops, but why are our troops in Lybia? Has Obummer broken another promise? Why were we in Lybia anyway? We should have never interfered in ANY of the countries in the middle east, except to help Israel! Israel has yet to call on America for ANY help, but if they do call, we need to go in with overwhelming force! Let us get rid of the Progressives in 2012 and elect honest politicians. This may seem like words that cannot come true, but if “We the People” monitor our elected officials votes, we will get rid of ALL politicians who say one thing and then vote another way.
Report Post »american1st
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 10:36pmWHERE IS THE STORY ABOUT THE WAR POWERS ACT BEING ABANDONED??? we shouldn’t be there at all !! and congress and the media should be raising hell that the 60 days is up..
Report Post »jzs
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 10:50pmBarbarian, you’re making up your own facts.
“Bush spent 1,020 days of his presidency on vacation. To put this into context, John F. Kennedy spent fewer days in office, 1000, than George W. Bush spent on vacation. Bush spent 487 days at Camp David, 490 days at his Crawford ranch, and 43 days in Kennebunkport. George W. Bush spent 69 days in Crawford during his first year in office. In contrast, according to FactCheck.org, Obama spent all, or part of, 26 days of his first year in office on vacation. This was less than all three previous Republican presidents, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush, but more than the two previous Democratic presidents, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.”
http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-bush-vacation
Sinasta your right and your wrong. The US has had CIA in Libia for years. Same with any country. Every large country has their own CIA like people in countries where they have an interest. Seriously, does this surprise anyone?
Report Post »jzs
Posted on May 30, 2011 at 11:22pmSnowleopard {gallery of cat folks}, judge not lest you be judged. Would you at least read the news from Al Jazeera one single time before you call it “propaganda?”
http://english.aljazeera.net/
You may want to check out the BBC sometime too. The idea that FOX is the only legitimate news source in the world is, well, pick you’re own adjective.
Report Post »GODSAMERICA
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 2:11amWhat are they worried about? Whether they saw “westerners” on the ground over there or not. The ONLY people that would be over there supporting the muslim brotherhood helping to add Libya to the muslim caliphate are either muslim terrorists or supporters of muslim terrorists.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 5:46amWhat are we doing in Libya? We have no reason to be there and both the Dems and Repubs approve….weird.
Report Post »jumbles
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 8:15am13THIMAM…….Actually I did serve, in the East Lancashire Regiment
Report Post »‘You hate foreigm clowns’. Is that a reactionary motive to your sense of not belonging and being spawned from a bastardized people or are you another arrogant pr!#k spoiling the image of a fundamentally good race of people in a proud country?
Speak your comments to my face and I’ll put a dent in your head.
BJColter Country Music Iconoclast
Posted on May 31, 2011 at 9:46amTell us what we don’t know. Probably sending a bouquet from Obama, Farrakhan, and Rev. Wright. Sick of it, I wrote this here song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqdufoUASMc
Report Post »slimster
Posted on June 1, 2011 at 2:06pmThose poor rebels… I hope ever one here has their 50 cals. and heat seaking rocket launchers in case we ever face tyranny like they are in Libya – that is why we have the “right to bear arms” you know?
Report Post »