The BAM forces, are loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). Many belong to brigades from the city of Misrata. They have been engaged in an offensive since May 12 to retake the city of Sirte which has been a stronghold of the Islamic State since June of last year. Until recently the offensive advanced quickly but since surrounding the IS in an area of about 5 square kilometers in Sirte the advance has been quite slow as the IS uses snipers, suicide bombers, and IEDs to slow the advance.
The BAM forces have been battling for some time to reach the headquarters of the IS in the Ouagadougou Conference Center. They have now captured an area of guest houses near the headquarters. The houses were used as accomodation for VIP guests attending events at the conference center. A tweet also confirms the capture: “Media Center of Albinyan Almarsous: our forces have captured Places of Hospitality in #Sirte. #Libya.” The field hospital near Sirte posted on Facebook that 4 fighters were killed and 32 wounded today in the fighting. Plans for a final assault on Sirte were announced on Sunday. A tweet provides confirmation of the toll: “Field Hospital of #Sirte: 4 martyrs and 32 injured due to clashes against “ISIS” elements today. #Libya”
The United States, Operation Odyssey Lightning, has been helping out the offensive with air attacks since last Monday. Over the weekend, the attacks concentrated on targeting snipers who have been every effective against the BAM forces. The IS fighters are less mobile now than before the air attacks began. A US official said: “ISIS knows we are in the air, and they are adjusting.” The US conducted nine strikes over the weekend whereas during the previous five-day period it conducted only 11 strikes. In all the US has now conducted 20 strikes. Less than 500 IS fighters are thought to remain in Sirte. Since the offensive began in May at least 350 BAM fighters have been killed and more than 1,500 wounded.
While the GNA has asked the US for the air strikes it has yet to request the easing of an international arms embargo or broader security help. The GNA seems to have made virtually no progress in forming its own national army separate from the militias that it depends upon for security. There was discussion of a 5,000 strong Italian-led peace-keeping mission but nothing happened. Most foreign intervention is through small numbers of special forces. Some are helping the GNA and others are helping Haftar. The French in particular have been the subject of protests after three of their agents were killed in a helicopter crash or downing as they were on a reconnaissance mission for Haftar. There have been no programs developed to train and equip national security and police forces, leaving the GNA dependent upon militia.
The Misrata brigades will no doubt demand arms and supplies after being instrumental in defeating the Islamic State in Sirte. It remains to be seen if western powers are willing to see them better armed. Some no doubt worry that the brigades might decide that their next battle would be with Khalifa Haftar. Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) told Reuters: “Only regular units under the command of the Presidential Council will get an exemption from the arms embargo. The Presidential Council has to be accepted as the Supreme Commander of the army. The question is does it really have control over the Misrata forces? Maybe yes, maybe no.”
One wonders if there are any regular units under the command of the PC as contrasted with brigades such as those from Misrata and elsewhere. If the Misrata brigades do not receive any reward for their actions in defeating the Islamic State they could turn against the GNA creating even more division within Libya.
