- Title: Libyan forces step up patrols to stop Islamic State regrouping
- Date: 26th July 2017
- Summary: MISRATA, LIBYA (JULY 25, 2017) (REUTERS) SPOKESMAN FOR "AL-BUNYAN AL MARSOUS" FORCES IN MISRATA, COLONEL MOHAMED GHASRI, WRITING IN NOTEBOOK LIBYA FLAG & MILITARY FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR "AL-BUNYAN AL MARSOUS" FORCES IN MISRATA, COLONEL MOHAMED GHASRI, SAYING: "Islamic State fighters were trying to regroup south of Sirte and were trying to breakthrough our ranks from the south side. We have the capability to stop these groups and defeat them, as we did in Sirte." GHASRI WRITING IN NOTEBOOK (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR "AL-BUNYAN AL MARSOUS" FORCES IN MISRATA, COLONEL MOHAMED GHASRI, SAYING: "The defeat of IS in Sirte is not the end of IS. Now they are trying to regroup and take advantage of the bad political situation of Libya. The disagreements between politicians in Libya provided comfort for IS to regroup and form groups in Sirte once again. We are monitoring their movements through airplanes and sources." FLAG OF LIBYA & MILITARY FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR "AL-BUNYAN AL MARSOUS" FORCES IN MISRATA, COLONEL MOHAMED GHASRI, SAYING: "The living conditions in Sirte are excellent. The people are living a normal life and our checkpoints are present in the south, east and west of Sirte. Our forces are present to allow the safe entry and exit of the citizens of Sirte. We are also cooperating with our friends in the Libyan Air Force. The situation in Sirte is better now." LIBYA FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR "AL-BUNYAN AL MARSOUS" FORCES IN MISRATA, COLONEL MOHAMED GHASRI, SAYING: "At the beginning the international community was very concerned with Islamic State due to the proximity they have with Europe. Now the international community is moving away from Islamic State. The 'Al-Bunyan al-Marsous' operation has no support from the international community. The international community has the money to help rebuild and fight terrorism. We have not seen this support yet." MILITARY FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR "AL-BUNYAN AL MARSOUS" FORCES IN MISRATA, COLONEL MOHAMED GHASRI, SAYING: "These pockets are being targeted and are being attacked whether through allied or Libyan air forces." SPOKESMAN FOR "AL-BUNYAN AL MARSOUS" FORCES IN MISRATA, COLONEL MOHAMED GHASRI, HOLDING CELLPHONE
- Embargoed: 9th August 2017 16:53
- Keywords: Islamic State battle for Sirte Islamic State regrouping foothold in Libya stronghold in Sirte al-Bunyan al-Marsous. Mohamed Ghasri
- Location: MISRATA, LIBYA
- City: MISRATA, LIBYA
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA0026RCUM9Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Libya forces allied with the UN-backed government, who last year defeated Islamic State in Sirte, are increasing patrols to stop the militants regrouping and threatening to launch attacks on the port city of Misrata, a military commander said on Tuesday (July 25).
The forces, mainly brigades from Misrata drove Islamic State from Sirte at the end of last year after a six-month campaign backed by U.S airstrikes. Islamic State took over the city in 2015 taking advantage of Libya's political chaos.
Mohamed Ghasri, spokesman for the "Al-Bunyan al-Marsous" forces in Misrata said Daesh (Islamic State) is trying to regroup in the south of Sirte in order to take advantage political instability in the country. Ghasri gave no details of numbers of fighters estimated in the south of Sirte. But he complained that Misrata forces had lacked support from the international community since defeating Islamic State last year.
Militants took advantage of Libya's steady descent into turmoil after civil war ousted Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Rival brigades of former rebels backed by competing political factions turned against each other in a fight for control.
A U.N.-backed government in Tripoli is trying to extend its influence, though it is facing resistance from some armed rivals. Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj and eastern commander Khalifa Haftar agreed to work on a ceasefire and elections at talks in Paris on Wednesday. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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