Libya: Libyan forces repel ISIL attacks in battle for Sirte
Forces backed by Libya’s unity government have consolidated their positions on the edge of Sirte, repelling sniper, tank and mortar attacks as they seek to oust ISIL from its North African stronghold.
Fighting resumed on Wednesday near Sirte’s port, which government-backed forces captured last week. There have also been intense clashes in the neighbourhood and around the Ouagadougou conference hall, south of a five-square-kilometre zone still controlled by ISIL, security sources said.
The campaign in Sirte is led by militias from the western city of Misurata that are aligned with Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. They launched a counter-attack against ISIL just under a month ago, rapidly recapturing positions on the coastal road west of Sirte and advancing to the outskirts of the city.