ith air support from NATO which entered the conflict on the rebels' side on March 19,and a vital sea based life line from neighbouring country the Island of Malta ., anti-Gaddafi forces managed to force loyalist troops to retreat on April 21, gaining control of most of the city by mid-May.
Thereafter, forces from Misrata played an important role in other theaters of the war, such as the Battle of Tripoli and the Battle of Sirte
