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14 pro-gov't troopers killed in clashes with IS in Libya's Sirte

Xinhua, October 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Heavy clashes between pro-government forces and IS occurred in Libya's Sirte on Friday, killing at least 14 of the government fighters, media office of the government forces announced on its Facebook post.

Misrata's hospital confirmed the casualties, saying that injured government fighters have also rushed to the hospital.

The media office also said the government fighters found a building that belonged to IS containing computers and four small planes used for surveillance.

The UN-backed unity government has launched a military campaign in May against the increased dominance of IS in Sirte (some 450 km east the capital Tripoli).

"Our troops are advancing since this morning on three axes and securing these areas, while the air force targeted a car bomb after it was spotted by our ground troops." The media office said Friday.

IS dominated Sirte, the hometown of former leader Muammar Gaddafi who was toppled in the 2011 uprising, for over a year before the pro-government fighters took control of most of the city, assisted by U.S. air strikes. Enditem