US: Libya close to eliminating ISIS from Sirte
Libyan forces had advanced against some of ISIS’s last holdouts in the city and are close to are close to vanquishing the extremists
US-backed Libyan forces are close to vanquishing ISIS from its last holdouts in the city of Sirte, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Wednesday.
Carter said forces aligned with Libya’s UN-backed government, who have been aided by US air strikes since the beginning of August, had cornered ISIS in one small section of the city.
“I expect that they’ll eliminate ... remaining opposition shortly,” Carter told a news conference in London.
Libyan forces said on Saturday they had advanced against some of ISIS’s last holdouts in the city. The extremist group had exploited Libya’s deep political divisions to seize Sirte more than a year ago, using it as a base for Libyan and foreign fighters. Losing the city would compound the setbacks it has suffered in Syria and Iraq.
Also Read
-
Tunisia urges joint action on Libya militant returnees
Minister: North African countries should be cooperating more to stop ISIS militants who are fleeing their Libyan stronghold of Sirte North Africa -
France warns ISIS fighters could flee Libya to Tunisia, Egypt
The capture of Sirte by ISIS last year sparked fears the militants would use it as a springboard for attacks on Europe Middle East -
Libya forces facing ‘fierce’ ISIS resistance in Sirte
Libyan pro-government forces are facing “fierce resistance” from ISIS holdouts in Sirte and it could take several days to gain full control Home Page -
Libyan forces report further progress against ISIS holdouts in Sirte
The forces, which are aligned with Libya’s UN-backed government, launched their campaign to recapture the city in May North Africa
