 In 2008, China Railway Construction Corporation won a $2.6 billion bid in Libya to build a west-to-east coastal railway from Khoms to Sirte and a south-to-west railway long for iron ore transport from the southern city Sabha to Misrata.On 5 March 2011, anti-Gaddafi forces said they were preparing to capture the city.However, on 6 March, the rebel advance was stopped during the Battle of Bin Jawad before reaching Sirte.