News / North Africa

Ten killed as bombs hit Libya’s GNA forces near Sirte

Thursday, 18 August 2016 4:43 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 18 August 2016 4:59 PM ]

A fighter from the pro-government forces loyal to Libya's Government of National Unity (GNA) fires a rocket-propelled grenade launcher towards Daesh positions on August 16, 2016 in an area in central Sirte. (AFP photo)

Twin car bomb attacks have claimed the lives of at least 10 fighters with pro-government Libyan forces near the city of Sirte, where they are battling the Daesh Takfiri terrorists to drive them out of the North African country.

The deadly bombings struck Gharbiyat area west of Sirte on Thursday, said Reda Issa, a spokesman for troops loyal to Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA).

The attack took place near a center used to distribute food, ammunition and other supplies to pro-GNA fighters.

Another 20 fighters were also wounded in the fatal attacks.

The death toll is expected to rise since many of the troops wounded were in critical condition.

The attacks are believed to have been conducted by Daesh militants.

Members of Libyan pro-government forces drive their vehicle past the wreckage of a car next to the Ouagadougou conference center, where Daesh terrorists had set up a base on August 13, 2016 in Sirte. (AFP photo)

Following the attack, pro-government forces launched a raid into a residential neighborhood in Sitre, killing three Daesh militants.

Sitre is the final stronghold of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Libya.

The mayor of Sirte, Mokhtar Khalifa, said on August 11 that Libyan forces had liberated 70 percent of the city from Daesh.

The large-scale military operation to retake Sirte from the Daesh terror group began in May. The pro-government forces entered Sirte in June, but their advance was slowed down as Daesh hit back with sniper fire, car bombs and counterattacks.

Libya has been struggling to contain Takfiri terrorists, who have been expanding their presence in the country following the overthrow and death of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Taking advantage of the chaos in Libya, Daesh took control of Sirte in June 2015, nearly four months after it declared presence in the city.

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