(Creative Commons)

Declaring Tripoli "essentially free" on Tuesday, NATO shifted its focus toward the north-central Libyan town of Sirte, where deposed dictator Muammar Gaddafi's loyalists have taken refuge.

"It is the last bastion," said NATO Col. Roland Lavoie in a press conference Tuesday. 

Sirte is Gaddafi's birthplace, and one of the final remaining bulwarks of his support. 

The impending clash in Sirte has raised concerns over the protection of civilians inside the city, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

According to the Guardian, British and French special forces teams were helping coordinate an assault with the rebels on Sirte.

In the meantime, Gaddafi's whereabouts remain a mystery as chaos ensues in his personal life. 

On Monday morning, much of Gaddafi's clan escaped into Algeria, according to the Algerian government. Included in that clan was his wife and three of his children. 

His daughter, Aisha, gave birth in Algeria shortly after entering the country. 

Gaddfi's son Khamis, who stayed behind, was reportedly killed fighting against rebels, according to Reuters.

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