Libyan Forces Make Major Gains against Daesh in Sirte Battle
Local Editor
Forces aligned with Libya's unity government said they made significant gains in residential districts of Sirte Tuesday as they battle to oust Daesh [the Arabic acronym for the terrorist "ISIS" group] from its coastal stronghold.
The advance in Sirte came as an explosion in an arms depot near Tripoli killed at least 29 people and wounded dozens of others.
Rida Issa, a spokesman for the government-backed brigades, said they were securing the "700" neighborhood, just south of central Sirte, and had also made ground to the west of the city center. Sixteen brigade members were killed and 60 wounded in Tuesday's fighting, Issa added.
Meanwhile, brigades composed mainly of fighters from the western city of Misrata launched a campaign against Daesh a month ago, advancing rapidly toward Sirte from the west.
In the past week they faced counterattacks from militants holed up inside the city, who deployed snipers, mines and car bombs to try to force the brigades back.
"Our forces are combing the 700 neighborhood after fierce clashes," Issa said Tuesday. "The electricity company headquarters, TV and radio building, No. 2 neighborhood, and Bin Hamel Mosque are all recaptured."
The militants used the radio station to broadcast speeches by Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Government-backed forces also seized a second ammunition store from Daesh, Issa commented.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
