The operation was initially a success with the rebels taking almost 300 kilometres (190 miles) of coast along the Libyan Coastal Highway in just two days.

After loyalist forces lost the battle for Ajdabiya on 26 March, rebels immediately pressed their momentum and took the oil town of Brega without a fight.

Later, intense fighting over Bin Jawad was reported, including artillery duels, before the rebels fled in hundreds of vehicles, abandoning the town, towards Ra's Lanuf.

[13] The opposition's military commanders suggested that lack of discipline and stretched supply lines are partly to blame for the retreat.

[14] Later during the day, pro-Gaddafi forces advanced to 20 kilometres (12 miles) away from Ra's Lanuf and began shelling the town with artillery and mortars.

However, this rebel offensive too was stopped by the better trained and equipped loyalist forces and a stalemate soon developed on the road between Brega and Ajdabiya.