Saturday, June 11, 2016

Libyan Forces Defeat IS, Regain Control of Sirte; Was IS's Greatest Stronghold Outside Iraq, Syria

After fierce clashes with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants yesterday, forces aligned with Libya's unity government have taken control of the Mediterranean port city of Sirte from the Islamic State -- which had been the IS's greatest stronghold outside of  Iraq and Syria -- the Telegraph (British) website reports today (June 11, 2016).

Brigades largely composed of fighters from the city of Misrata advanced this week to the perimeter of Sirte's city center, after launching a counter attack against the IS last month and driving the militant group back along the coastal road between the two cities.

The brigades are part of an operation supported by Libya's United Nations-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which arrived in the city of Tripoli in March and has been gradually working to establish its authority.

Western powers see the GNA as the best means for uniting Libya's political and armed factions against the IS and for restoring stability to the oil-rich North African country.

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