Op-Ed: Islamic State forces cornered in Sirte Libya refuse to surrender
By Ken Hanly 15 hours ago in World
Surt - Forces of the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) are advancing against the last holdouts of the Islamic State in Sirte. BAM forces are mostly brigades from Misrata and are loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).
The "final offensive" has been going on for some with fighting resumed today after a relative calm. The remnants of the Islamic State fighters are now cornered in just one area of Sirte. The offensive began in May and has been helped since the offensive stalled in Sirte by U.S. airstrikes that began on August 1.
Even at this late stage, the few remaining IS fighters refuse to surrender and are resisting with sniper, car bombs, mines and shelling, taking a heavy toll on the BAM forces. The BAM forces claim to have captured several buildings today as well as destroying an IS car bomb before it reached its target. A recent tweet claims: "Breaking News: Misrata-led forces retake Eddekhar Bank, Madina Hotel and Central Bank of Libya branch in Sirte’s residential district 3." A tweet also reports the casualties: "BAM, OTOH, advanced on the western edge of District 3, at the cost of 7 killed and 30 wounded today." Bodies of 10 IS fighters were found in a school building. Another tweet reports higher casualties: "Casualties today in Sirte #Libya: 9 dead (8 Misrata, 1 Zliten) and over 70 injured on Bunyan Marsous side, mainly from #ISIS/Daesh car bombs."
Read more:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/op-ed-remnants-of-islamic-state-forces-still-resisting-in-sirte-libya/article/473974#ixzz4JIPpcGIs
