Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi pushed an offensive into the east on Wednesday, retaking the oil refinery city of Brega and launching air strikes in the area of the rebel-held city of Ajdabiya, home to a massive rebel-controlled arms depot.

Rebel volunteers in Benghazi moved to Ajdabiya to reinforce their scattered and disorganized ranks Wednesday morning, amid reports of Brega’s fall to pro-Gadhafi forces overnight.

Rebel forces passed through Ajdabiya much of the day Wednesday in rag-tag, scattered groups of six to eight fighters carrying AK-47s, pistols and even hunting rifles. They were cheered by small crowds gathered there, honking horns and throwing bread and wedges of cheese to the men as they passed through. The fighters said they were going to Brega, where pro-regime forces managed to retake an airport and the commercial district from the rebels. . .