- Title: Libyan forces advance on Islamic State snipers
- Date: 28th October 2016
- Summary: SIRTE, LIBYA (OCTOBER 28, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DAMAGED BUILDINGS IN SIRTE'S GHIZA BAHRIYA DISTRICT / ARMOURED VEHICLES VARIOUS OF LIBYAN FORCES STANDING BY ARMOURED VEHICLE LIBYAN FORCES LOOKING AT MAP LIBYAN FORCES POINTING AT MAP (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FIELD COMMANDER, MOHAMMED EL-SABTY, SAYING: "In previous days, we've tried advancing on these buildings which we discovered have around six Islamic State militants inside. Right now, we're targeting them with artillery fire, to help some of the ground troops, we will then move on to the next phase which is advancing on other points in Ghiza (Bahriya)." VARIOUS OF LIBYAN FORCES SITTING INSIDE DAMAGED BUILDING LIBYAN FORCES WALKING THROUGH HOLE IN WALL OF DAMAGED BUILDING VARIOUS OF LIBYAN FORCES WALKING INSIDE DAMAGED BUILDING VARIOUS OF LIBYAN FORCES INSIDE BUILDING LIBYAN SOLIDER USING BINOCULARS THROUGH WINDOW OF DAMAGED BUILDING MIRROR PROPPED UP ON WINDOW OF DAMAGED BUILDING VARIOUS OF TANK IN STREET VARIOUS OF LIBYAN FORCES ARMING TANK VARIOUS OF TANK MOVING IN STREET VARIOUS OF TANK FIRING LIBYAN FORCES VEHICLE IN STREET STREET SCENE OF GHIZA BAHRIYA WITH DAMAGED BUILDINGS STREET IN GHIZA BAHRIYA SEEN THROUGH HOLE IN WALL OF DAMAGED BUILDING
- Embargoed: 12th November 2016 17:20
- Keywords: Libya Sirte Islamic State
- Location: SIRTE, LIBYA
- City: SIRTE, LIBYA
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA00155X7TXJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Libyan forces used artillery fire and ground troops on Friday (October 28) to target Islamic State snipers hiding out in Sirte's Ghiza Bahriya district.
Libyan forces loyal to the U.N.-backed government identified six Islamic State militants in several buildings in the group's former North African stronghold.
Sirte fell to Islamic State over a year ago as the militants profited from infighting among Libyan factions to gain territory, steadily taking the city and imposing their hardline vision on Muammar Gaddafi's former home town.
The U.N.-backed government now in Tripoli is trying to unite Libya's competing factions of armed brigades who once battled together to oust Gaddafi in 2011, but have since turned against one another.
Western governments back the unity government hoping it will bring stability and help counter Islamic State and the migrant smugglers. But Tripoli leaders have struggled to extend their influence against hardliners.
Defeating Islamic State in Sirte will destroy the militant group's main stronghold outside its Iraq and Syria territory just as Iraqi forces move to retake Mosul. But some militant commanders and fighters escaped before Sirte was encircled. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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