Tue Oct 25, 2016 10:04:15
Libyan forces loyal to the UN-backed government took full control of an area in Sirte on Monday following three days of fighting with the Islamic State (ISIS / Daesh / ISIL) terrorist group.
Earlier in the day, the infantry continued their advance into the 600-building area and forced ISIS militants to retreat to the neighboring district of Giza, which has become the last ISIS-held area in Sirte, a field commander confirmed.
The infantry are now conducting scouting operations in the neighborhood to search for any hidden militants, mines and booby traps.
The pro-government forces rescued 24 civilians during the fighting, and later managed to rescue an Egyptian and a Turkish national who had been detained by ISIS.
Libyan forces are now battling for control of the Giza neighborhood, which would pave the way for the control of the coastal district of and the declaration of victory over ISIS in Sirte.
The pro-government forces are fighting on two fronts - the southern axis and the eastern axis - but they have now managed to surround IS militants, who are occupying a gradually shrinking residential area of the town.
Sirte has seen intense fighting in the last few months between government forces and ISIS group fighters, who gained a foothold in the country following the power struggle and security vacuum left in the wake of the downfall of Moammar Gadhafi’s regime in 2011.
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