The 2011 Libyan rebel coastal offensive was a major rebel offensive of the Libyan Civil War. It was mounted by anti-Gaddafi forces with the intention of cutting off the supply route from Tunisia for pro-Gaddafi loyalist forces in Tripoli. Background The offensive was launched by opposition forces based in the Nafusa Mountains who had managed to make a breakthrough in loyalist lines around the mountains just a few days before. Loyalists and rebels had been fighting for the mountain chain for over five months, often in back-and-forth battles. However, due to an intense NATO bombing campaign of loyalist forces, pro-Gaddafi troops had to pull back from the mountains. This gave a chance for the rebels to go on the offensive toward the coast west of Tripoli. Offensive The offensive started on 13 August 2011 with rebels advancing toward the oil refinery town of Zawiya supported by NATO air-strikes. The town revolted against Gaddafi governmental control in late February but the revolt was crushed by pro-Gaddafi forces in early March. There was a rebel raid against the city in June that was defeated by government troops. Holding Zawiya was a priority for the pro-Gaddafi forces, as the city lies on their coastal supply route and is a vital control city on the route from Tripoli to Tunisia. It is home to an important oil refinery, the only one in loyalist hands prior to the battle. During the attack, the rebels first advanced to a bridge on the southwestern outskirts before being hit by loyalist artillery fire. One group of rebels fought through loyalist defensive lines in the western sector of the town, overrunning it, and pushed into the city center. At the same time rebels entering the city were cheered by some residents, who came out of their homes to greet them shouting "God is great". Some joined the rebels as fighters. After the rebels reached the main square loyalist forces from the eastern part of Zawiya counter-attacked with a barrage of heavy weapons. By the evening, the Libyan government stated that a rebel force entered the city on a "suicide mission" but failed to take control of the town and that Zawiya was "totally" under government control. A rebel commander stated that opposition forces were almost south of the city center on the western side of the main road, while loyalist troops were on the east side. During the night,