A series of powerful explosions in Libya on Monday shook Muammar Gaddafi's tribal homeland of Sirte as US and European warplanes pounded the city. The rebels are reported to have advanced against Gaddafi's forces. Western media reports said, Nine explosions were heard in the city early in the day. The latest blasts followed two explosions on Sunday which has already triggered a mass exodus from the Sirte town.Opposition spokesman Shamsi Abdul Molah told Al-Jazeera that the rebels had moved into the city at 11.30 pm last night. He said, they encountered no resistance.Further westwards, an intense battle for the key city of Misrata continue to rage with street fighting on between armed Gaddafi's forces and rebels. Gaddafi's forces continue to fire from tanks and artillery guns towards the city which has been under siege for almost six days. ‘The French air force had used 20 jets backed by AWACS surveillance plane to down five Gaddafi fighters and 2 Mi-35 helicopter gunships while British warplanes destroyed three armoured vehicles.