Sirte has both symbolic and practical importance in Libya’s conflict. It is Qaddafi’s hometown, and one of two of his strongholds, together with Tripoli. Residents of Sirte are fiercely loyal to Qaddafi, who has showered the city with development projects and wealth since becoming Libya’s leader. When Qaddafi decided to decentralize the country’s administration, he moved several of the offices from Tripoli to Sirte, all but a couple of them to Sirte.
Sirte is also a major stop along Libya’s coastal highway, which is the main way to travel between the country’s east and west – making it a gateway to the west in much the sameway that Ajdabiya is a gateway to the east. In order for the rebels to travel further along the highway and link up with rebels in Misratah, for example, they would need to take control of Sirte.
