Rebels Fail to Take Gaddafi’s Town

After a stunning push westward, Libyan rebels have finally hit a wall: Attempting to infiltrate the Gaddafi stronghold of Sirte (the despot’s hometown), opposition forces were forced to flee amid hostile gunfire. Going door-to-door to recruit followers, the rebels soon found out that Col. Gaddafi had armed residents, and gunfire broke out. It’s a discouraging sign, especially since the U.S. military has recently expressed doubt about the rebels’ chances. “The regime still vastly overmatches opposition forces militarily,” said General Carter F. Ham, the ranking American in the coalition operation.