Gadhafi's Supply Lines Threatened by Rebel Advances

Aug. 16, 2011 -- Libyan rebels have never been closer to the capital Tripoli. Their forces pushed into the strategic oil town of Zawiya 30 miles West of Moammar Gadhafi's stronghold.

"We are closing the roads for Gadhafi so there is no way for him to bring anything to Tripoli," a rebel commander, Jumma Dardira told the Associated Press today.

The latest rebel advance from the south and west threatens to cut Gadhafi's last remaining supply route from neighboring Tunisia.

As a possible sign of the regime's growing desperation after six months of fighting, U.S. military sources said Monday that Gadhafi's forces had fired a Scud missile at rebel positions from the town of Sirte, Gadhafi's birthplace.

The missile was detected by U.S. naval forces operating off the Libyan coast late Saturday night. It landed in open desert close to the port of Brega which is controlled by the rebels. The Libyan regime destroyed most of its arsenal of long range missiles in recent years but retains a stockpile of at least 100.

Rebels Try to Cut Gadhafi's Supply Lines

News of the rebel advances has caused concern among residents of Tripoli. They fear vital supplies like oil and water may soon be cut off, and that ultimately fighting will take place on the capital's streets.

On Monday Gadhafi broadcast a defiant message to his supporters urging them to resist the rebels.

Long convoys of cars carrying frightened civilians have been spotted leaving Tripoli for the relative safety of rebel held mountains to the south.

One other high profile person to abandon the capital Monday was the regime's former Interior Minister Nassr Abdullah, who landed in Cairo accompanied by nine family members.

In Washington White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said, "It's becoming increasingly clear that Gadhafi's days are numbered."

The collapse of Gadhafi's regime has seemed inevitable before, but the resolve of his military forces and the ineffectiveness of the rebels have allowed him to cling onto power.