Forces loyal to Libya’s
unity government have advanced inside the jihadist stronghold of Sirte, they
said Tuesday, following the first US air strikes on Islamic State group
positions in the city.
Fighters backing the
Government of National Accord (GNA) seized the central district of Al-Dollar
after clashes that killed five of their members and wounded 17, they said on
social media.
The Tripoli-based GNA
launched an operation in May to retake Sirte, which the jihadists have
controlled since June 2015.
The fall of the coastal
city, located 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli, would be a major blow
to IS, which has also faced a series of setbacks in Syria and Iraq.
On Monday, GNA head
Fayez al-Sarraj visited pro-government forces in Misrata, 190 kilometres to the
northwest of Sirte, a statement said.
More than 300 pro-GNA
fighters have been killed and more than 1,500 wounded since the beginning of
the battle for Sirte, according to medical sources in Misrata.
The pro-GNA forces are
mostly made up of militias from western Libya established during the 2011
revolt that overthrew longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
Pro-government forces
entered Sirte on June 9, reaching central and northern parts of the city. IS
has hit back with suicide car bombs and sniper fire.
Libya descended into
chaos after the 2011 ouster and killing of Kadhafi, with rival authorities
vying for control in the oil-rich country.
The GNA was the result
of a UN-brokered power-sharing agreement struck in December, but it has yet to
be endorsed by the elected parliament based in the country’s far east.
The loss of Sirte would be a major
blow to the jihadist group, which has faced a series of setbacks in Syria and
Iraq.
"Our forces... are trying to
strengthen their advance with the support of ongoing American air strikes that
have given momentum to the military operation," said Reda Issa, a
spokesman for forces loyal to Libya's unity government.
American warplanes carried out seven
strikes against IS positions in Sirte on Monday and Tuesday at the GNA's
request, but Issa did not say whether further strikes took place on Wednesday.
GNA forces have been battling to oust
jihadists -- who seized control of the town in the chaos following the fall of
Kadhafi -- since May 12. They entered the city on June 9 and have so far
retaken the city's port, international airport, an air base and a hospital.
But their advance slowed as IS hit
back with sniper fire, car bombs and suicide attacks.
"There are targets that are hard
to hit because they are among the houses," said Issa.
"American air strikes, which are
very accurate, will help to destroy those targets," he added.
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