Libyan rebels were bombarded by government artillery and rocket fire on the outskirts of Brega Tuesday as the two sides continue to fight for control of the oil town. On Monday, the opposition captured a portion of Brega only to be beaten back by the superior fire power of Muammar Gaddafi’s army. The battle lines along the coastal road continue to shift with some towns changing hands more than once.

Although NATO said Gaddafi’s heavy weapons have been degraded by 30 percent the rebels have been unable to hold ground even with the support of allied air strikes. Gaddafi’s forces are repositioning to civilian areas in Misrata to avoid being hit by NATO warplanes. The western rebel stronghold has been under siege for weeks and witnesses say a humanitarian crisis is developing. Water and power have been cut off and food supplies are running low. Dozens of civilian casualties have been reported as loyalist snipers continue to shoot from rooftops.