NATO kills free-shooting Libyan rebels

TRIPOLI, Libya, April 2 (UPI) -- An apparent act of bravado by Libyan rebels drew fire from NATO aircraft that killed at least 10 of them, military officials said.

The bombardment happened late Friday between the northern cities of Brega and Ajdabiya when fighter jets enforcing a U.N. no-fly restriction came under fire from rebel positions, the BBC reported.

Despite anti-government rebel claims they are under-armed to fight the military of Moammar Gadhafi, international television has shown rebels firing weapons into the air in a show of jubilation for the cameras.

That appears to be the reason NATO jets opened fire on a rebel convoy, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told CNN.

"Clearly, if someone fires at one of our aircraft, of course they have the right to defend themselves," she said.

The international intervention began March 19 after pro-democracy demonstrations calling for an end to Gadhafi's 41-year rule were met with military strikes.