LIBYA

Gaddafi's Forces Make New Gains

Rebels forced to briefly abandon stronghold.

Forces loyal to Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi pushed toward the western gate of the rebel stronghold of Ajdabiya Friday, forcing the rebels to briefly abandon their post under intense mortar attack. The setback came only a day after NATO botched an airstrike and hit a column of rebel tanks. The western gate of Ajdabiya has been considered the rebel front—but Gaddafi’s forces have steadily made gains since Wednesday, gaining 30 miles in two days. Ajdabiya started out in rebel hands at the beginning of the revolution in February, but was retaken by Gaddafi a month later before the airstrikes pushed regime loyalists out. Meanwhile, in Misrata, rebels fought to gain back their foothold in Gaddafi’s territory while heavy shelling was heard outside the city.