Libyan troops retake Sirte from Islamic State

Forces loyal to Libya’s UN-backed government said Monday they had seized full control of the city of Sirte from the Islamic State group, dealing a major blow to the jihadists.

The battle for the city, which was the last significant territory held by IS in Libya, took more than six months and cost the lives of hundreds of loyalist troops.

“Our forces have total control of Sirte,” Reda Issa, a spokesman for pro-government forces, told AFP.

“Our forces saw Daesh totally collapse,” he said, using an Arabic acronym for the group.

Forces allied with the country’s unity government launched an offensive to retake the city 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.

— AFP