By 9 June, heavy fighting erupted in the city of Zliten, with the rebels suffering 22 fatalities by the next day.[11] Pro-Gaddafi forces surrounded the city, armed with artillery and Grad rockets. According to rebels, the loyalist forces threatened to have the city's women raped by mercenaries, if it did not surrender.[citation needed] RAF airstrikes destroyed at least 4 loyalist MBTs outside the city.[3]