Libyan pro-government forces battled to seize more territory from Islamic State group militants in their stronghold Sirte yesterday but their offensive was hindered by mines and snipers.
Fighters allied to Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), supported by US air strikes, are trying to retake the hometown of slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi from militants who have controlled the city since June 2015.
“Our forces are trying to strengthen their advance with the support of ongoing American air strikes that have given momentum to the military operation,” said Reda Issa, a spokesman for forces loyal to Libya’s unity government.
American warplanes carried out seven strikes against IS positions in Sirte on Monday and Tuesday at the GNA’s request.
Issa did not say whether further strikes took place yesterday.
GNA forces have been battling to oust militants from the town since May 12.
They entered the city on June 9 and have pushed the militants out of the city’s port, international airport, an air base and a hospital.
But their advance slowed as IS hit back with sniper fire, car bombs and suicide attacks.
“There are targets that are hard to hit because they are among the houses,” said Issa.
“American air strikes, which are very accurate, will help to destroy those targets.
“Every day the battle’s outcome is not settled, the city becomes more full of booby traps,” said Issa.
“But there is no doubt that the presence of effective and accurate weapons will accelerate the end of the battle.”
The loss of Sirte would be a major blow to the militants, who have faced a series of setbacks in Syria and Iraq.
IS took over the city in June 2015, taking advantage of chaos after the fall of Gaddafi.
US President Barack Obama defended the air campaign on Tuesday, saying defeating the militants there was in America’s national interest.
Obama has said that American air strikes serve the national security interests of the US and its European allies.
Washington has been carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq since 2014, with the aim of “destroying” the group, which has carried out atrocities throughout the areas it controls.
Washington has launched several strikes against IS in Libya in recent months.