Heavy artillery shells scream across the Libyan desert.
These massive guns are being used to bombard the town of Sirte - one of the last remaining strongholds of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Fighters loyal to Libya's transitional government have been trying to take the town for days.
But despite heavy artillery and support from NATO warplanes, they have had little success.
NTC commanders say their advance on Sirte - Gaddafi's hometown - has been hampered by the presence of large numbers of civilians.
Still, they're predicting a quick end to the seige.
(SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) AHMED BANI, NTC MILITARY SPOKESMAN, SAYING:
"The matter of liberating Sirte completely is a matter of days, not more."
Sirte, and Bani Walid are the last major towns still loyal to Gaddafi, who is believed to be on the run inside Libya.
Andrew Raven, Reuters
