MISRATA: Libyan forces allied with the UN-backed government have been shelling and carrying out airstrikes on the center of Sirte city in a siege of Daesh there, an official said on Tuesday.
Terrorists defending last Daesh stronghold in Libya have been keeping Libyan forces back with sniper fire and mortars in Sirte where they are now surrounded after a two month campaign to take the city.
The fall of Sirte would be a major blow to Daesh, which took over the city a year ago in the chaos of a civil war between rival factions.
“Our forces have...targeted enemies with artillery and air force around Ouagadougou complex, Ghiza Asskariya district, and in the city center,” said Rida Issa, spokesman for Misrata forces fighting in Sirte. “They have targeted Daesh members, vehicles, ammunition stores, and control rooms.”
He said one Misrata fighter was killed and 20 others wounded in a mortar strike on their position in the Zaafran frontline, near the roundabout where Daesh once crucified victims. The bodies of around 13 Daesh terrorists were found, but Misrata forces were driven back by sniper fire.
Western powers are backing Prime Minister Fayaz Seraj’s government that moved into Tripoli three months ago in an attempt to unify two rival governments and various armed factions. Seraj is working to restart the oil industry.
But while powerful brigades from Misrata city support Seraj for now and lead the fight to liberate Sirte, other hard-liners to the east are still opposing him and his government has made little progress in extending its influence.
Daesh under attack in Sirte
Daesh under attack in Sirte
