The bulk of the opposition force advanced to a bridge on the southwestern outskirts before being hit by loyalist artillery fire.[12] One group of rebels got through loyalist defensive lines in the western sector of the town, overrunning it,[13] and pushed into the city center.[14] At the same time, upon the entrance of the rebels into the streets of the city, they were cheered by some residents who came out of their homes to greet them, shouting "God is great". Some joined the rebels as fighters. A rebel spokesman asserted that the pro-Gaddafi forces' areas of control had been reduced to a couple of pockets, and that the rebels in the mountains could send supplies and reinforcements to Zawiya at any time since the road was open.