Tripoli: Is the end of the Libyan conflict near? (UPDATES)

What could be the final assault on Tripoli by the Libyan rebels has apparently begun.

Reporters inside Tripoli and on the outskirts of the city are saying that multiple neighborhoods in Tripoli — from Feshloum to Tajoura — are engaged in running gun battles. Reports of explosions are reported through out the city, as are the mosques are calling "God is Great."

More from GlobalPost: Libyans fleeing Triopoli ahead of assault

This isn't just rebel brigades coming in. It seems the neighborhoods themselves are finally rising up. Over the past few days we've watched the transformation on the internet. Bloggers inside Tripoli are saying they will now use their real names, others are tweeting that their neighborhoods are becoming ghost towns with all the civilians fleeing.

Twitter is ablaze with rumors that Gaddafi and at least two of his sons have fled to Tunisia, probably disguised in one of the civilian convoys. There have been scads of these rumors in the last few days. The rebels themselves say they are not sure if the rumors — first reported on Libyan TV — are true.

If on the ground reports are to be believed, several working class neighborhoods in Tripoli may be in control by the rebels by morning. The airport may also be under their control by then.

Here's what residents were saying tonight, according to Reuters:

"We can hear shooting in different places," said one. "Most of the regions of the city have gone out, mostly young people … it's the uprising… They went out after breaking the (Ramadan) fast."

Multiple explosions rocked Tripoli on Saturday night and repeated anti-aircraft fire was seen streaking across the sky, a Reuters reporter in the city said. A Reuters update reported some residents received text messages to use weapons to "eliminate the agents."

Sustained gunfire and thuds were heard in the distance and residents of Tajoura, on Tripoli's eastern outskirts, reported clashes were under way. Spontaneous anti-Gaddafi protests are ongoing tonight.

Tajoura is definitely a rebellious neighborhood.

Earlier this year, I met a local Imam from Tajoura who had been imprisoned for preaching against Gaddafi to 1,500 residents. They claimed to have stockpiled guns. Now they are using them.

Will update as information comes in:

Al Arabiya is reporting that Tajoura, a neighborhood of some 200,000 people is now enveloped in an open battle. Multiple news outlets are reporting that Gaddafi forces have lost control of more than one area of Tripoli. The regime spokesman denies it.

Heavy NATO bombing is being heard throughout the night.