Forces backed by Libya’s unity government said yesterday they had consolidated positions on the edge of Sirte, repelling counter-attacks as they seek to oust Islamic State from its North African stronghold.
The government-backed forces saw off an attempt to retake Sirte’s port, which Islamic State lost control of last week, and a car bomber blew himself up amid clashes in the “700” neighbourhood, spokesman Rida Issa and a security source said.
The attacks, on the edges of an area approximately 5km by 5km (3 miles by 3 miles) still controlled by Islamic State, wounded at least five men, Issa said.
The campaign in Sirte is led by brigades from the western city of Misrata that are aligned with Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). They launched a counter-attack against Islamic State just under a month ago, rapidly recapturing positions on the coastal road west of Sirte and advancing to the outskirts of the city.
A brigades’ statement yesterday said that in the previous day’s fighting they had “resisted Islamic State attacks that used mortar fire and a tank backed by snipers positioned on tall buildings”.
It said they had been working to clear areas now under their control from mines and explosives and were preparing to launch a radio broadcast that would “respond to the widespread lies and deceptions of Daesh (Islamic State)”. Five brigade members were killed and more than 30 wounded on Tuesday, officials said.
More than 120 have died in the past month’s fighting, with more than 500 wounded.
The brigades say they have inflicted heavy losses on Islamic State, though the militant group is still thought to have hundreds of fighters inside Sirte.
The head of Libya’s unity government has urged Libyans to rally behind the battle against militants in Sirte, as the UN approved an operation to stop the flood of weapons into the country.
The UN Security Council unanimously authorised a European Union naval mission to enforce an arms embargo on the country and expand Operation Sophia which has been combating migrant-smuggling.
Diplomats hope the move will shore up the UN-backed administration led by prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj, who on Tuesday said advances by pro-government fighters in Sirte should be a model for “a national initiative to fight terrorism”.
“We bless the victories of our sons on the front lines...in the fight to liberate Sirte and cleanse it” of IS, he said in a televised statement released on the Facebook page of the GNA.
Pro-government troops - a mix of militias and army units - have taken control of Sirte’s port and airport.