IS Loses Libya Bastion In Major Blow To Jihadists
Umer Jamshaid Published December 05, 2016 | 10:05 PM
TRIPOLI, Dec 5, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 05th Dec, 2016 ) : Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed government said Monday they had seized full control of Sirte from the Islamic State group, in a major blow to the jihadists who battled for months to retain their bastion.
The battle for the coastal city, which was the last significant territory held by IS in Libya, cost the lives of hundreds of loyalist troops and an unknown number of IS fighters. The offensive was backed by a US bombing campaign launched in August, which as of December 1 had seen American warplanes, drones and helicopters conduct 470 strikes.
"Our forces have total control of Sirte," Reda Issa, a spokesman for pro-government forces, told AFP. "Our forces saw Daesh (IS) totally collapse." Forces allied with the country's unity government launched the offensive to retake Sirte on May 12, quickly seizing large areas of the city and cornering the jihadists.
But IS put up fierce resistance with suicide car bombings, snipers and improvised explosive devices. "Daesh has totally collapsed and dozens of them have given themselves up to our forces," said a statement on the loyalist forces' official Facebook page.
The capture of Sirte boosts the authority of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which was launched in Tripoli in March but whose legitimacy is contested by a rival administration based in eastern Libya.
Libya descended into chaos following the NATO-backed ousting of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival administrations emerging and well-armed militias vying for control of the country's vast oil wealth.
- Far longer than planned - =========================== The infighting and lawlessness allowed extremist groups such as IS to seize several coastal regions, giving the jihadists a toehold on Europe's doorstep.
The fall of Sirte -- Kadhafi's hometown located 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli -- represents a major setback for IS, which has also faced a series of military defeats in Syria and Iraq.
Iraqi forces are advancing on the IS stronghold of Mosul, while a US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance last month launched an offensive to retake Raqa, the Syrian capital of the "caliphate" the jihadists proclaimed in 2014.
"Losing it (Sirte) could cause a momentary loss of traction, but a lot will depend on what happens in Syria and Iraq and whether the ungoverned spaces in Libya will remain such," said Mattia Toaldo, a Libya expert with the European Council of Foreign Relations.
Toaldo said IS's failure to hold Sirte was due in part to the group's lack of resources in Libya. "They didn't manage to seize any considerable source of revenue," he said. "What they found in the banks in Sirte was not comparable to what they found in Mosul, nor was there an equivalent weapons stockpile." The fight for Sirte took far longer than originally planned, but signs emerged in recent days that IS fighters were about to capitulate.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Russia targets Ukraine railways as Western aid due to arrive
Football: French Ligue 1 table
Miner Anglo American rejects BHP's near $39-billion takeover bid
115 held for selling roti at higher rate
New Zealand cricket CEO visits PSCA, expresses satisfaction over security arrang ..
NAB Lahore holds open court, promises compensations for victims
2 injured over money dispute
At least 10 people killed in Brazil fire: officials
'Transforming Punjab Agriculture' plan to help develop farm sector on modern lin ..
Chairman PRCS engages in humanitarian collaboration with ambassador of Morocco
US stocks rebound on tech earnings, London hits new record
Junta-led Burkina Faso suspends BBC, Voice of America for two weeks
More Stories From World
-
Russia targets Ukraine railways as Western aid due to arrive
7 minutes ago -
Miner Anglo American rejects BHP's near $39-billion takeover bid
19 minutes ago -
At least 10 people killed in Brazil fire: officials
15 minutes ago -
Junta-led Burkina Faso suspends BBC, Voice of America for two weeks
15 minutes ago -
Saudi to host top Arab, EU diplomats for Gaza talks: officials
19 minutes ago -
Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70: govt
13 minutes ago
-
US Fed's favored inflation measure accelerates in March
1 hour ago -
Kenya flood death toll since March climbs to 70: govt
1 hour ago -
Russia striking Ukraine railways to 'paralyse' army cargo: Ukraine source
1 hour ago -
French barber still trimming at 90
1 hour ago -
Russia striking Ukraine railways to 'paralyse' army cargo
1 hour ago -
UK man charged with 'Russia-backed arson plot' on Ukraine-linked targets
2 hours ago