NATO probes strike on revolutionaries

The NATO-led Western military alliance says it is investigating whether it has mistakenly targeted the positions of revolutionary forces in one of its airstrikes.

NATO military spokesman Mike Bracken said on Friday that the Western military alliance was not currently in a position to confirm or deny the report on an incident near Ajdabiyah, south of Benghazi.

“NATO is aware of the media reports of an incident involving opposition forces. We are checking the details and circumstances of this particular incident,” Reuters quoted Bracken as saying.

The developments come after a spokesman for the revolutionary forces said at least 16 fighters had been wounded and six of their combat trucks had been destroyed in the recent NATO strike.

NATO had previously hit the positions of opposition forces several times since it began attacking Libya three months ago.

The alliance has often accused Gaddafi forces of hiding equipment in urban areas or behind human shields after strikes that resulted in civilian or revolutionary force casualties.

Many civilians have been killed since the Western-led war on Libya began in March.

NATO has admitted to killing revolutionary fighters and civilians in an airstrikes but has refused to apologize for the deadly bombardments.

Libyan troops have also killed thousands of civilians since the revolution against Colonel Gaddafi began in mid-February.

Experts say the main motive behind the Western attack on Libya is the vast oil reserves of the North African country.

NATO has already been under fire from Libyan opposition forces for not doing enough to protect civilians.