🔺 What to do when markets are at an all-time high? Find smart bargains, like these.See Undervalued Shares

Libyan forces target Islamic State in Sirte with air strikes

Published 06/03/2016, 17:39
Updated 06/03/2016, 17:40
Libyan forces target Islamic State in Sirte with air strikes

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libyan forces based in the city of Misrata have carried out air strikes against Islamic State militants in their stronghold of Sirte, a military source said on Sunday.

As many as 18 people were killed in the strikes, including senior Islamic State members, said Jamal Zubia, foreign media spokesman for Libya's self-declared government in Tripoli. The claim could not immediately be confirmed with other officials.

A resident in Sirte told Reuters that air strikes on Sunday had targeted districts in and around the city, and that at least one civilian had been killed.

Air strikes on Sirte are reported frequently, often attributed to unidentified aircraft. Military forces in western Misrata, which back the Tripoli government, say they regularly carry out strikes.

Five years after the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi Libya is deeply divided, with rival governments based in Tripoli and the east. Militants loyal to Islamic State have taken advantage of a security vacuum to expand their presence, establishing control over the coastal city of Sirte last year.

Also on Sunday, a spokesman for military forces loyal to Libya's eastern government, Akram Bouhalika, said troops had clashed with suspected Islamic State militants for the past two days about 120km (75 miles) south of the city of Ajdabiya, east of Sirte.

Eleven militants were killed and two soldiers wounded in the clashes, Bouhalika said.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.