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Muammar Gaddafi’s army continues shelling port as main clashes centre on area around airport Heavy fighting has erupted on two fronts on the outskirts of the Libyan city of Misrata, with government troops using tanks to try to keep rebel forces at bay. Muammar Gaddafi’s army also continued shelling the port, the besieged city’s lifeline. Nato said its warships had caught government naval forces trying to lay sea mines in the harbour. Brigadier Rob Weighill, the British director of Nato’s Libyan operations, said his force’s ships had intercepted small boats laying mines in the harbour – the only entry point for food and medical supplies into the city. “It again shows his [Gaddafi's] complete disregard for international law and his willingness to attack humanitarian delivery efforts,” Weighill said. Rebels have also used to the port to bring in light weapons from eastern Libya. The main clashes centred on the area around the airport, the last position held by Gaddafi’s forces in the city after they were defeated in the centre. After several days of low-intensity clashes, rebels attacked early in the morning with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns. Government troops responded with missiles and tanks, setting fire to a shoe factory and spreading a pall of black smoke across the city. “It’s very difficult against tanks,” said Rami Pengharpia, a 21-year-old rebel fighter wounded in the back by shrapnel. “Only Nato can do something against them.” On the western side of Misrata, where rebels have been slowly forcing Gaddafi’s forces back along the road to Tripoli, there was close-quarter fighting near the satellite town of Zawiya al-Majhoub. Several tanks fired at rebel positions and into civilian areas, and mortars were also used. By mid-afternoon, at least 15 rebel fighters and civilians had died, according to doctors in Misrata. Several dozen people were injured. They included three young siblings, two boys and a girl who had colourful flower patterns drawn on her hand. All suffered shrapnel wounds after a shell fired by Gaddafi’s forces struck their house. “They will soon be able to go home, if they still have a home,” said Dr Ahmed Diab, a surgeon at the Hikma Hospital in Misrata. While the rebel losses are mourned, it is the mounting civilian casualties that are causing the greatest distress in Misrata. On Thursday, at least nine people, including two women and three children, were killed when government forces fired mortars into residential neighbourhoods, according to doctors. “Gaddafi knows that he cannot win in Misrata as long as Nato is flying above,” said Dr Khalid Abu Falgha. “But he is still trying to kill as many people as he can by shelling indiscriminately.” Libya Middle East Muammar Gaddafi Nato Xan Rice guardian.co.uk