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Libyan forces retake Sirte from ISIL

Strategic port city known as the hometown of Muammar Gaddafi became an ISIL outpost in 2015.

Standing on the barrels of a heavy machinegun, a fighter from Libya's Government of National Accord watches ISIL positions in Sirte. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Standing on the barrels of a heavy machinegun, a fighter from Libya's Government of National Accord watches ISIL positions in Sirte. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
By 
Alessio Romenzi
5 Dec 2016
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Sirte, Libya – Members of a militia group loyal to Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) have retaken control of the Libyan coastal city of Sirte from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

On Monday, Reda Issa, a spokesman for pro-government forces using the Arabic acronym for ISIl, said, “Our forces saw Daesh totally collapse”. 

The city, a strategic port for Libya, turned into an ISIL outpost in 2015.

The group took advantage of conflict between various factions of former rebels who emerged as powerbrokers following the death of Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Last June, the Misrata-led brigade launched a military operation against ISIL, also known as ISIS, in Sirte. 

Sirte, Gaddafi’s hometown, saw fierce house-to-house fighting by the Misrata-led brigade whose advance into the city was initially slowed down by the presence of snipers and explosives as well as lack of ammunition.

The number of civilians, including women and children, trapped in Sirte during the government advance, is still uncertain.

At the height of ISIL dominance in the city last summer, Western officials talked about the presence of some 6,000 ISIL fighters.

Misrata forces, however, estimate that there are now no more than 2,000.

The latest images from November were taken in the neighbourhood of Al Jiza, where commanders of the Misrata military forces fought against ISIL combatants.

Militia members loyal to Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord  continued their offensive against ISIL in the coastal city of Sirte. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Militia members loyal to Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord continued their offensive against ISIL in the coastal city of Sirte. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
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Fighters loyal to Libya's GNA run for cover from an ISIL car bomb driving in their direction. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Fighters loyal to Libya's GNA run for cover from an ISIL car bomb driving in their direction. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Right after an ISIL car bomb explodes, killing three and injuring 15, a GNA-allied fighter, shocked by the explosion, looks for an ambulance.[Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Right after an ISIL car bomb explodes, killing three and injuring 15, a GNA-allied fighter, shocked by the explosion, looks for an ambulance.[Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
The body of an ISIL fighter buried under rubble. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
The body of an ISIL fighter buried under rubble. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
The battle against ISIL continues in the outskirts of Sirte despite the pro-government militia victory  [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
The battle against ISIL continues in the outskirts of Sirte despite the pro-government militia victory [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Fighters of the Libyan forces affiliated to the Tripoli government aim at ISIL positions in Al Jiza neighbourhood on the frontline against ISIL in Sirte. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Fighters of the Libyan forces affiliated to the Tripoli government aim at ISIL positions in Al Jiza neighbourhood on the frontline against ISIL in Sirte. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
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A fighter of the Libyan forces affiliated to the Tripoli government is pictured, injured by an ISIL suicide bomber who  killed one of his comrades moments before in the Al Jiza neighbourhood. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
A fighter of the Libyan forces affiliated to the Tripoli government is pictured, injured by an ISIL suicide bomber who  killed one of his comrades moments before in the Al Jiza neighbourhood. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
A fighter of the Libyan forces affiliated to the Tripoli government rests during clashes with ISIL. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
A fighter of the Libyan forces affiliated to the Tripoli government rests during clashes with ISIL. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Misrata-led brigade fighters are seen on the frontline against ISIL. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Misrata-led brigade fighters are seen on the frontline against ISIL. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Sirte is the hometown of former Libyan leader Gaddafi where he was also killed. Most parts of the city are now destroyed. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
Sirte is the hometown of former Libyan leader Gaddafi where he was also killed. Most parts of the city are now destroyed. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
A fighter affiliated with Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) shouts right after being shot in the leg during clashes with ISIL in the '700 neighbourhood' in Sirte. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
A fighter affiliated with Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) shouts right after being shot in the leg during clashes with ISIL in the '700 neighbourhood' in Sirte. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
For two months, Misrata's military forces have been fighting against ISIL in Sirte. They managed to recapture Sirte on Monday. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]
For two months, Misrata's military forces have been fighting against ISIL in Sirte. They managed to recapture Sirte on Monday. [Alessio Romenzi/CAPTA/Al Jazeera]

Related

A Libyan soldier prays in front of his sniper rifle during a battle with ISIL fighters in Sirte. [Goran Tomasevic/Reuters]

Fierce fighting rages in Libya

Since last year, the Libyan city of Sirte has become ISIL’s most important base outside Syria and Iraq.

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