Libyan rebels have launched an offensive in the mountains southwest of the capital, Tripoli, in an effort to move their front lines closer to Tripoli, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s stronghold.
Rebels used heavy arms Wednesday to push into the al-Qawalish area, a government-held position near Tripoli. Witnesses said they could hear NATO warplanes overhead.
The fighting comes after at least 11 Libyan rebels were killed in clashes with pro-government forces near the opposition-held city of Misrata.