Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Libya unity forces prepare ‘decisive’ assault in IS bastion

-

Libya pro-government forces backed by US air strikes said Sunday they would soon launch a final assault to retake the coastal city of Sirte from the Islamic State jihadist group.

"The countdown of the final stage of the military operations against Daesh has started," forces loyal to the Tripoli-based national unity government said in a statement, using an Arabic acronym for IS.

"The operation's leaders held intensive meetings to prepare for the final and decisive battles to eradicate the Daesh gang from the city of Sirte", they said in a statement.

Fighters loyal to Libya's national unity government advance on Sirte  on August 3  2016
Fighters loyal to Libya's national unity government advance on Sirte, on August 3, 2016
Mahmud Turkia, AFP/File

A Sunday post on the operation's Facebook page showed a photo of men in uniform examining a map of the city, which the jihadist group seized in June 2015.

Fighters allied to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) have waged a fierce weeks-long battle to retake the city some 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli.

Pro-GNA forces launched the campaign in May and entered the city in June, but their progress slowed down as the jihadists hit back with sniper fire, suicide attacks and car bombings.

Fighters from the Libyan unity government entered the coastal Libyan city of Sirte on June 9  2016
Fighters from the Libyan unity government entered the coastal Libyan city of Sirte on June 9, 2016
Mahmud Turkia, AFP/File

Since Thursday pro-government forces have sought to reach IS headquarters at the Ouagadougou conference centre inside the town.

The United States have since Monday been carrying out air raids on IS positions in Sirte at the GNA's request.

Six US air strikes on Saturday targeted an IS position, killing a sniper and destroying a vehicle, pro-GNA forces said.

More than 300 people have been killed and 1,800 wounded in the operation for Sirte, according to medical sources in the city of Misrata, where the operation's command centre in based.

IS took advantage of the chaos that followed the 2011 toppling of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi to gain a foothold in the oil-rich North African country.

Libya pro-government forces backed by US air strikes said Sunday they would soon launch a final assault to retake the coastal city of Sirte from the Islamic State jihadist group.

“The countdown of the final stage of the military operations against Daesh has started,” forces loyal to the Tripoli-based national unity government said in a statement, using an Arabic acronym for IS.

“The operation’s leaders held intensive meetings to prepare for the final and decisive battles to eradicate the Daesh gang from the city of Sirte”, they said in a statement.

Fighters loyal to Libya's national unity government advance on Sirte  on August 3  2016

Fighters loyal to Libya's national unity government advance on Sirte, on August 3, 2016
Mahmud Turkia, AFP/File

A Sunday post on the operation’s Facebook page showed a photo of men in uniform examining a map of the city, which the jihadist group seized in June 2015.

Fighters allied to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) have waged a fierce weeks-long battle to retake the city some 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli.

Pro-GNA forces launched the campaign in May and entered the city in June, but their progress slowed down as the jihadists hit back with sniper fire, suicide attacks and car bombings.

Fighters from the Libyan unity government entered the coastal Libyan city of Sirte on June 9  2016

Fighters from the Libyan unity government entered the coastal Libyan city of Sirte on June 9, 2016
Mahmud Turkia, AFP/File

Since Thursday pro-government forces have sought to reach IS headquarters at the Ouagadougou conference centre inside the town.

The United States have since Monday been carrying out air raids on IS positions in Sirte at the GNA’s request.

Six US air strikes on Saturday targeted an IS position, killing a sniper and destroying a vehicle, pro-GNA forces said.

More than 300 people have been killed and 1,800 wounded in the operation for Sirte, according to medical sources in the city of Misrata, where the operation’s command centre in based.

IS took advantage of the chaos that followed the 2011 toppling of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi to gain a foothold in the oil-rich North African country.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Social Media

Wanna buy some ignorance? You’re in luck.

Tech & Science

Under new legislation that passed the House of Representatives last week, TikTok could be banned in the United States.

Life

Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest often suggest travel destinations based on your likes and viewing habits.

Social Media

From vampires and wendigos to killer asteroids, TikTok users are pumping out outlandish end-of-the-world conspiracy theories.