Libyan government forces fighting to oust Islamic State from Sirte, its last stronghold in the north African nation, have taken the strategic port area and pinned militants into a small part of the city centre.
After capturing the airport last week and the seaport on Friday, troops loyal to the UN-backed unity government, mostly militias from Misrata in western Libya, were battling for control of the massive Ougadougou conference centre on Saturday. Artillery and mortar rounds have been hammering the building, with Isis snipers shooting back.
Units from Misrata have pushed Isis back more than 100 miles, last week entering Sirte itself, at a cost of 105 dead and more than 500 wounded.
US and UK forces are providing logistics and intelligence support in the battle for the city, the hometown of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, where the militant fighters have collapsed far more quickly than expected.
Read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/10/libyan-forces-fight-street-battles-with-isis-for-control-of-sirte
