International News

TRIPOLI, (APP/AFP): Forces loyal to Libya’s unity
government bombarded Islamic State group positions in Sirte with
heavy artillery Friday, a day after thrusting into the military
stronghold on the Mediterranean coast.
The loss of Sirte, the hometown of ousted dictator Moamer
Kadhafi, would be a major blow to the militants at a time when
they are under mounting pressure in Syria and Iraq.
Forces aligned with the UN-backed Government of National
Accord (GNA) said on Friday they had targeted IS positions with
artillery fire around a conference centre where the miltants had
set up a command post.
GNA forces are mostly made up of militias from western
cities that have sided with the unity government of prime
minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj and the guards of oil
installations that IS has repeatedly tried to seize.
On Thursday a spokesman for the forces predicted Sirte
could fall within days.
“The operation will not last much longer. I think we’ll
be able to announce the liberation of Sirte in two or three
days,” said Mohamad Ghassri.
On Thursday warplanes bombed militants positions in
Sirte and the navy said it was in control of the waters off
the city, located 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli
and held by IS since June 2015.
The number of civilians remaining in the city is
unknown.