(As the war continued to escalate, the rebels advanced on Tripoli and Matt was freed by other escaping prisoners. He had been held captive for 165 days. Hanging out in Tripoli, he linked back up with his friends and continued to fight with the rebels until they had sorted out Gaddafi and won the war.)
You mentioned on your website that you were nearby when Gaddafi was killed. I’ve been told privately that he had a PSD made up of former South African soldiers. Can you confirm who they were and elaborate on how Gaddafi met his fate?
“I’m aware of these stories but I have no first hand knowledge of who was with Gaddafi when he was killed. I was in Sirte but not at the scene when Gaddafi was killed. He was killed by fighters from Misrata (the West), and I was serving mostly on the East front lines. As for how Gaddafi met his fate, we’ve all seen the video. Other than that and what the press has reported, I don’t know anything else because I wasn’t at the scene when he was killed.”
(I also wanted to ask Matt about Western influence on the Libyan Civil War, including his own.)
I’m going to ask this question straight up because I know many others will be asking it in the future. At any time while fighting in Libya were you in the employ of any governmental organization?
“If you mean the United States or other non-Libyan government, no. After I escaped from prison and returned to the front lines I joined the Ali Hassan al-Jaber Brigade of the National Liberation Army of Libya, which was under the control of the National Transitional Council (the new Libyan government). I was issued a military ID and was entitled to payment by the Libyan government like any other soldier in the National Liberation Army. But I never accepted this or any payment for my military service.”
While in Libya did you come in contact with any western soldiers or contractors working operationally on the ground?
“None, other than the private security advisors for some of the larger media outlets like Reuters who accompany journalists.”
We often hear information, misinformation, and disinformation all at the same time as Americans. From your experience, what is it the rebels in Libya really hoped to achieve? Were these goals accomplished or did the toppling of Gaddafi just create a vacuum to be filled by religious extremists?
“The rebels wanted to overthrow the regime. In addition to the human rights abuses, imprisonment, disappearances, and executions carried out by the regime, Libyans were fully aware of how ineffective, inept, and corrupt a leader Gaddafi was. They knew that with their oil wealth, small population, and proximity to Europe that Libya should look far more like Dubai.
The goals of the rebels were simply freedom and democratic governance.
The goals were accomplished. There will be elections, and Libya will surely develop into a successful, peaceful, democratic country. It may take some time, however, after 42 years of authoritarian rule, to establish a stable, democratic country. I predict that by the end of 2012 Libya will be well on its way to becoming the envy of the Arab world.
Religious extremists don’t have much power in Libya. They never have and never will. Even some of the former Libyan Islamic Fighting Group members want a democratic government, and likely realize that they can win elections playing within the system. And they should be welcome to participate in the electoral process, it is up to Libyans now to determine their future using the ballot box in a free and open system.”
Stick around for part 3 of this series with American freedom fighter Matthew VanDyke, where he explains the improvised weapons used by the Libyan rebels and rates the various rifles, machine guns, and grenade launchers that they had or captured from Gaddafi’s forces. Matt will also explain how he feels about the future of Libya. You can find Matt at his blog and freedom fighting, and also on Twitter and Facebook.
COMMENTS