Libya forces push into last IS-held areas of Sirte

Sirte (Libya), Aug 28 (AFP) Forces loyal to Libya’sUN-backed unity government pushed today into the last areas ofSirte held by the Islamic State group in what was thejihadists’ coastal stronghold, a spokesman said. "Our forces entered the last areas held by Daesh inSirte: district number one and district number three," saidRida Issa, using an Arabic acronym for IS. "The final battle for Sirte has started," said thespokesman for forces backing the Tripoli-based Government ofNational Accord. About 1,000 pro-GNA fighters were taking part in theoffensive, he said, adding a tank had destroyed a bomb-riggedcar before IS jihadists could use it to target the forces atthe start of the assault. An AFP photographer saw several tanks and armed vehiclesmove towards district number one and heard gunfire and rocketexplosions as they entered the northern neighbourhood. The pro-GNA forces said on their Facebook page that theoffensive came "after air strikes overnight by the warplanesof international support". Pro-GNA forces, backed since August 1 by US air strikes,began an assault in mid-May to expel IS from Sirte. The jihadists seized control of the city, which had beenthe hometown of Libya’s slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi, inJune 2015. The pro-GNA forces fought their way into Sirte on June 9and seized the jihadists’ headquarters at the Ouagadougouconference centre on August 10. Since entering the city, they have faced a barrage ofsniper fire, suicide bombings and booby traps, pinning downthe jihadists in a downtown area near the sea. More than 350 pro-GNA fighters have been killed andnearly 2,000 wounded in the battle, according to medicalsources. IS casualty figures are unavailable. Sirte lies 450 kilometres east of Tripoli. (AFP)SAI