Libya Unity Gov’t Forces Enter Daesh Bastion

Local Editor

Fighting raged for control of the Daesh's Libya stronghold of Sirte after unity government forces on Thursday battled their way into the center of the city.

The loss of Sirte would amount to a huge setback for Daesh [Arabic acronym for "ISIS" / "ISIL"], which is also faced with battlefield reverses in Syria and Iraq.

"The armed forces entered Sirte. They are currently in the center, where clashes continue with Daesh," said Mohamad Ghassri, spokesman for the forces of the UN-backed Government of National Accord [GNA].

"The operation will not last much longer. I think we'll be able to announce the liberation of Sirte in two or three days," he stated.

Tightening the noose on Daesh, air strikes targeted the area around a conference center where the terrorist group had set up a command post, while the GNA's navy said it was in control of the waters off the eastern city.

Aziz Issa, a hospital spokesman in Misrata, east of Tripoli, said a total of 115 militants had been killed and 300 wounded in the assault since mid-May.

Stepping up the operation, the GNA's navy has taken control of the coast of Sirte as part of the offensive, said Rida Issa, its commander for central Libya.

"Our forces control the entire coast of Sirte. They will not be able to flee by sea," he confirmed.

Naval forces had supported the offensive, he said, including by "carrying out operations to open the way for ground forces to advance along the coast."

On Wednesday, the unity government said its forces had captured two military barracks from Daesh near Sirte.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team