Rebels: Our forces have advanced closer to Libyan city of al-Brega

(CNN) -- Libyan rebel forces have advanced about 18 miles (30 kilometers) closer to the eastern city of al-Brega after dismantling thousands of landmines, a rebel spokesman told CNN on Monday.

"Our forces are only 9 kilometers away from al-Brega now after a small group clashed with Gadhafi troops over the weekend," said Col. Ahmed Banni, Libya's Transitional National Transitional military said.

There was no immediate comment from the government.

Fighting broke out after the rebels pulled out thousands of landmines over the last few days and secure a path for movement toward the strategic oil town, he said.

"Almost the entire area around Brega is full of landmines," Banni said.

A rebel expedition group entered al-Brega and clashed with pro-Gadhafi forces killing at least 11 and injuring dozens among rebels ranks, said a rebel fighter who did not want to be named.

Pro-Gadhafi troops dug a trench and filled it with oil only to set it alight as a line of defense near the eastern entrance of the city, Banni said.

"So this may delay our plan to take over the city since they have linked the trench to an oil pipeline so they keep the fire going," he added.

The rebels claim they are moving ahead slowly but steadily.

When rebels troops entered al-Brega, Gadhafi forces withdrew but they re-grouped and launched a counter-attack.

"I can tell that the communication between the Gadhafi Brigades is not too good since they did not immediately fire at our expeditionary troops with Grad missiles. That's what they usually do but there was hesitation this time," Banni said.

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