- Title: Libya forces patrol Sirte area to stop Islamic State regrouping
- Date: 4th August 2017
- Summary: SIRTE, LIBYA (AUGUST 4, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF LIBYAN FORCES FROM AL-BUNYAN AL-MARSOUS PREPARING FOR PATROL FIGHTER ARMING KALASHNIKOV (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AL-BUNYAN AL-MARSOUS PATROL COMMANDER, TAHA HADID, SAYING: "The Islamic State threat is still present until this very moment. Some remnants who had escaped from Sirte have regrouped here in the heart of the desert and the fear that they might rise again is real. Islamic State (in Sirte) had started from just a few small groups, which multiplied and posed a real threat, and we fear their number is increasing and they may begin attacks on the city, bombings or other operations." CONVOY HEADING TO THE DESERT VARIOUS OF LIBYAN FORCES ON DESERT ROAD WEAPON BEING FIRED LIBYAN FORCE FIGHTER SEEN PREPARING WEAPON DURING PATROL VARIOUS OF ARMORED VEHICLES AND AMBULANCES ON PATROL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AL-BUNYAN AL-MARSOUS PATROL COMMANDER, TAHA HADID, SAYING: "Our resources are limited, it's mostly based on individual efforts. The government and presidential council have neglected the Al-Bunyan al-Marsous since Sirte was liberated last December. Until this very moment Al-Bunyan al-Marsous forces in Sirte have not received any support from the government or the presidential council, something which surprises us. We deplore the silence of the government and presidential council." VARIOUS OF ARMORED VEHICLES IN DESERT VALLEY VARIOUS OF LIBYAN FIGHTERS DURING PATROL
- Embargoed: 18th August 2017 22:14
- Keywords: Libyan forces patrol checkpoint Al-Bunyan al-Marsous
- Location: SIRTE, LIBYA
- City: SIRTE, LIBYA
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA0016SQT07B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Libya forces allied with the U.N.-backed government patrolled on Friday (August 4) desert valleys and roads some 70 km. south of Sirte.
Al-Bunyan al-Marsous patrol commander Taha Hadid said Islamic State militants are regrouping and threatening to launch attacks.
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 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. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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