ISIS

Our archive of political and security incidents relating to Islamic State activity in Libya

11 July – 17 July: ISIS suspect arrested in Brega

On 10 July, the LNA Criminal Investigations Department in Brega arrested an individual suspected of being an ISIS fighter. On 10 July, the Special Deterrence Forces (Rada) fighters raided the house of a suspected ISIS member in Tripoli. However, on 11 July Rada said that the assailant was not linked with ISIS.

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20 June – 26 June: ISIS kidnap two LNA officers near Zallah and Waddan

On 26 June, ISIS fighters kidnapped two Libyan National Army (LNA) officers while they participated in a social gathering in the desert area between Zallah and Waddan. The officers were identified by their military IDs. In the most recent edition of their digital newspaper, al-Naba, ISIS claimed to have undertaken two attacks on LNA checkpoints near […]

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6 June – 12 June: ISIS kill two at a checkpoint in Jufra

On 6 June, local sources claim that ISIS fighters established a fake checkpoint between Zillah and Waddan in the Jufra region and fired upon a vehicle killing two civilians. However, in contrast to this version of events, ISIS published a claim stating that its fighters had killed two LNA soldiers during clashes at an LNA checkpoint in the Jufra district.

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30 May – 5 June: ISIS attack al-Qanan police station south-east of Ajdabiya

On 2 June, ISIS fighters attacked a police station in al-Qanan, 10km south-east of Ajdabiya, killing a civilian and injuring another five. No police were injured or killed despite two police cars being set aflame. The casualties were allegedly a family in a car passing by the raid. A go-pro camera recovered at the scene by the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) 21 Infantry Brigade has shown that the raid involved 8-9 fighters.

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23 May – 29 May: ISIS claim responsibility for attacks in Oil Crescent

On 23 May, ISIS claimed responsibility for the two attacks that occurred in the Oil Crescent on May 22 – a suicide vehicle-borne improved explosive device (SVBIED) targeted the Libyan National Army (LNA) 152 Brigade Gate 60, south east of Ajdabiya, while gunmen attacked an LNA checkpoint north of Awjilah kidnapping two guards.

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2 May – 8 May: ISIS fighters attack HNEC in Tripoli and LNA checkpoints in the Oil Crescent

On 2 May, Islamic State fighters attacked the HNEC building in the Ghout al-Shaal area of Tripoli. As many as 16 people were killed and more than 19 were injured. On 5 May, ISIS claimed its fighters undertook two attacks on the LNA in the Wahat province in late April. On 8 May, ISIS undertook an SVBIED attack on an LNA controlled checkpoint near Bin Jawwad 70 km from Ras Lanuf, killing two and injuring four.

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28 Mar – 3 Apr: ISIS SVBIED attack on the southern entrance to Ajdabiya while the PC launch new anti-ISIS military operation

On 29 March, ISIS undertook a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) attack on the southern entrance to Ajdabiya killing 5 people, wounding 6 and damaging at least 6 vehicles. On 2 April, Presidential Council (PC) spokesperson Mohammed al-Sallack announced the launch of a new military operation dubbed Asifat al-Wattan (The Nation’s Storm) with the aim of ending ISIS’s militant presence in Libya.

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31 Jan – 6 Feb: ISIS linked Indian national allegedly held in Libyan jail while multiple clashes occur between LNA and ISIS.

On 30 January, Indian media reported that an Indian national, who is said to have joined ISIS in Libya in 2016, is allegedly being held in a Libyan jail. On 31 January, the LNA claimed two ISIS affiliates had been killed in clashes in Brak al-Shatti. On 2 February, two purported members of ISIS were killed in fighting near Maradah. On 3 February, three alleged ISIS fighters were also killed in clashes near Waha Company’s Dahra oil field.

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13-19 Dec: DMSC Arrests ISIS Members in Derna

On 12 December, DMSC members arrested some alleged ISIS members in Derna including Mahmoud Mohammed al-Souainay. On 14 December, DMSC fighters arrested Souhail Rizk al-Oakley, in al-Maghar area in the centre of Derna, for the second time. On 13 December, reports indicated that the body of a young man which showed signs of being executed was found in Nufaliya, a town east of Sirte.

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6- 12 Dec: Misrata published a video ‘confession’ of an ISIS member

The anti-crime department of Misrata published a video ‘confession’ of an ISIS member who revealed details of the beheading of Egyptian Coptic Christians in 2015. On 10 December, the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council (DMSC) undertook a raid on an ISIS cell in Derna that concluded with the arrest of the entire cell and the death of ISIS member.

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29 Nov -5 Dec: ISIS Reported To Be Regrouping In The Valleys South Of Sirte

On 3 November, Zarouk Asuiti, the head of the activation committee of security services in Sirte, stated he has received information suggesting ISIS is regrouping in the valleys south of the city. The Libyan Air Force are said to be flying Mi-35 helicopters over Nawfaliyah-Bin Jawad area following reports of ISIS activity in the area.

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22-28 Nov: LNA Declares Oil Crescent Closed Military Zone Due to ISIS

Last week, the LNA declared the Oil Crescent to be a closed military zone after a number of ISIS convoys were seen inside Harawah town, between Sirte and Sidra. On 26 November, al-Ghani oil field was ransacked and buildings torched by unknown assailants. The LNA announced it captured Dernawi ISIS fighter Anis Bualjieh Awami last month.

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1 – 7 Nov: LNA post in Jufra attacked

On 4 November, an LNA security post on the road between Jufra and Brak al-Shatti in south-west Libya was attacked by unknown assailants, killing two people. Reports that ISIS fighters still present on the coast east of Sirte.

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24-31 October: ISIS Claims 25 Oct. Attack on LNA Checkpoint Near Ajdabiya

The ISIS Amaq news agency claimed responsibility for the 25 October, attack on the ‘Tisan’ checkpoint south of Ajdabiya, which killed at least 3 LNA fighters and left another two injured. Survivors report that the assailants arrived in 7 vehicles and set the entire checkpoint on fire after seizing the LNA’s firearms. It was reported that on 29 October, ISIS fighters established a temporary checkpoint on the coastal highway 20km east of Sirte. The area in question is considered to be under the control of al-Bunyan al-Marsus (BM) forces aligned with the GNA.

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17-24 October: LNA alleges that Qatar is funneling ISIS fighters to the south of Libya

Sources from the LNA allegedly told UAE based news outlet, Alittihad, that Qatar is transferring ISIS militants to Libya, after major losses in Iraq and Syria. In Misrata the crackdown on Islamist hardliners and suspected ISIS collaborators continues, last week 13 people were arrested connection with terrorism. On October 19, the LNA allegedly arrested a former ISIS member, Anis Bujeela al-Awami, who was hiding in Derna.

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11-17 October: Agreement reached on families of Tunisian ISIS fighters held in Mitiga

On 14 October, Ahmed Ben Salem, the spokesman for RADA Special Deterrence Force based in Tripoli, stated that the group has come to an agreement with Tunisian authorities regarding the extradition of woman and children Tunisian prisoners held in Mitiga Prison. The Tunisian newspaper, Al-Sabah, reported that Ben Salem said the agreement entailed the extradition of twenty-one children.

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4-10 October: ISIS attack on Misratan court kills five, ISIS cell discovered in Ruwaisat area

An ISIS suicide bomb attack which targeted a Misratan court complex in the centre of the city on 4 October, killed four people and wounded several more after ISIS fighters opened fire on the complex and one attacked detonated a suicide belt. Local support of security forces in clamping down against militia members connected with terrorist organizations is rising. It is reported that an ISIS cell was arrested and its armory, including high power explosives, was found in the Ruwaisat area.

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27 Sept – 4 Oct: AG releases warrants for ISIS fighters

On 28 September, the Attorney General’s Office released the names and affiliations of several ISIS and Ansar al-Sharia connected individuals in Libya. They provided details and photographs of accused, organizational charts, links and routes of travel into Libya and said 800 arrest warrants had already been issued for nearly 200 terrorist attacks in Libya.

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20-26 Sept: US Airstrikes Kill 17 ISIS Fighters Near Sirte

On 22 September, the US conducted an unmanned airstrike on an ISIS camp about 150 miles south-east of Sirte, reportedly killing 17 ISIS fighters and destroying 3 vehicles. ISIS’s Wilayat Barqa, published a long video last week praising the ISIS suicide car bomb attack in Nawfaliyah and the Fugha checkpoint massacres in August.  

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5-12 September: LNA and BM reinforce Oil Crescent region against ISIS resurgence

On 10 September, the commander of the LNA’s Sirte Operation Room declared that the entire coastal strip from Sidra to about 50km east of Sirte. On 8 September, the LNA reportedly defused a bomb attached to the main gas pipeline south of Ajdabiya. BM forces are positioned at the 30km checkpoint east of Sirte, and it is reported that BM arrested two people in a raid last week, fueling tensions with the local population.

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30 Aug- 5 Sept: ISIS Claim Car Bomb Killing 4 in Nawfaliya

ISIS media claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack on a Libyan National Army (LNA) checkpoint at the entrance of al-Nawfaliya town, on 31 August. It was reported that ISIS units moved in to al-Teysseen, a town 90 kms east of Sirte, on 1 September. They allegedly held an Eid prayer in the local mosque and took positions in the town. The LNA air force launched a series of airstrikes targeting ISIS positions, from Ras Lanuf airstrip on 2 September.

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August 22-29: ISIS Beheads 11 in attack near Jufra

On 23 August, Islamic State (ISIS) fighters attacked the Libyan National Army (LNA)-controlled al-Fugaha checkpoint in Jufra. Eleven victims were beheaded. On 27 August, Amaq released a new video showing two abductees and featuring several ISIS fighters guarding a checkpoint on a road near Jufra, south of Sirte.

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August 23: ISIS beheads 11 in attack on al-Fogha checkpoint near Jufra

Islamic State (ISIS) militants attacked the Libyan National Army (LNA)-controlled al-Fogha checkpoint near Jufra this morning, killing at least nine soldiers and two civilians. According to LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari, the eleven victims were beheaded and many others were left injured. The IS Amaq news agency released a statement this morning claiming the incident and […]

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15-22 August: Terror suspects tried over Corinthia attack in 2015

Two individuals were tried on terror charges in Tripoli after alleged involvement in a series of attacks in the capital, including the assault on the Corinthia Hotel in January 2015. The defendants have not been named and it is unclear how they came to be detained. BM forces published trailers of upcoming ‘confessions’ by Libyan ISIS fighters captured during fighting between BM and ISIS.

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July 24-August 1st 2017: Sabratha Municipal Council Mobilizes New Anti-ISIS Force

On 29 July, the Sabratha municipal council, with the cooperation of local tribes, mobilized a new security force. Dubbed the ‘anti-Islamic State (ISIS) Operation Room’ the force is intended to police the areas around Sabratha and Mellitah. After raising the anti-ISIS alert level last week, BM forces reported that ISIS activity on the road between Sirte and Jufra continues.

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July 18-25: BM Forces Prepare for Imminent ISIS Attack On Sirte

Misratan-led Bunyan Marsus (BM) forces have raised the level of security readiness in anticipation of an impending Islamic State (ISIS) attack on Sirte from the south and the east. GNA spokesman Mohammed al-Ghosri denied rumours that BM requested military support from the LNA and posited that the LNA’s position in Jufra may actually facilitate the presence and movement of ISIS south of Sirte.

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Skirmishes South of Sirte

Misratan al-Bunyan al-Marsus (BM) forces, who nominally support the Government of National Accord (GNA), announced last week that they had skirmished with three units affiliated with the Libyan National Army (LNA) in Qasr Abu Hadi, south of Sirte, while they were on an anti-ISIS reconnaissance mission in the area.

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28 Jun – 4 Jul: Rumours of ISIS escapees in Misrata

On 28 June, two ISIS captives being held in Misrata, one Libyan and the other Egyptian, were said to have escaped from the military intelligence agency. In Sabri, the LNA discovered the remains of an LNA officer killed by ISIS in an execution video.

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6-13 June: LNA claims arrest of ISIS member in Sebha

The LNA-affiliated 116 brigade reportedly arrested a jihadist cell, including an ISIS member, in an anti-terrorism raid in Sebha. Three members of the al-Bunyan al-Marsus 166 brigade were killed in ambush south-west of Sirte, suspected to have been carried out by ISIS fighters.

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24 – 30 May: ISIS fighters killed near Bani Walid

On 24 May, local militias clashed with ISIS fighters near Bani Walid. Four ISIS fighters were killed. In Tripoli, RADA forces arrested the father and brother of Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi. They claim Abedi and his brother are members of ISIS.

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Manchester Suicide Bomber is of Libyan Decent

The suicide bomber who detonated a suitcase bomb at a Manchester concert on 22 May has been identified as Salman Abeidi, a British-born Libyan. His parents were dissidents who fled to the UK during the Qadhafi period. Abeidi lived with his family in a quiet, middle-class neighborhood in Fallowfield in south Manchester. The family was […]

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10-16 May: ISIS fighters hijack fuel trucks

On 14 May, three fuel trucks were seized by ISIS fighters on the road from Abu Grien to Jufra, south of Sirte. BM leaders also received threats from ISIS via social media accusing them of being “infidels assisting imperialists”.

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Apr 18-25 ISIS leader killed in Sabratha

On 23 April, Abdullah Dabbashi, a Libyan ISIS leader was reportedly killed in Sabratha while in Benghazi, the LNA claimed that ISIS fighter Mohammed al-Moghrabi had not been executed as thought.

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US Imposed Sanctions on Designated ISIS Financiers

The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) identified three Libyan-based financial facilitators of ISIS and have imposed sanctions on those individuals. The Libyan National Army (LNA) maintains an aerial and naval blockade in Benghazi, limiting the extent to which ISIS-aligned groups like the BRSC can bring in supplies.

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BDB Aims to Rescue Jihadists in Benghazi From Haftar

A BDB commander said “our goal is to rescue Benghazi from Haftar and return displaced families to their homes”. The LNA siege against jihadist fighters from the BRSC, Ansar al-Sharia and Islamic State in the 12 Flats area of Ganfuda is ongoing

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ISIS Arms Cache Found, Fighters Spotted

A suspected ISIS arms cache containing unguided air-to-ground bombs and fuel was reportedly found by LNA units approximately 90km south of Nawfaliya, while there are reports ISIS cells are regrouping in the regions south-west of Misrata, near Bani Walid.

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Video Published of LNA Fighter Executed by ISIS

On 6 February, a video was published on Libyan social media showing the execution of an LNA fighter by an ISIS fighter in Benghazi. The video has sparked an angry reaction and is being seen as further proof of collaboration between ISIS and BRSC in Benghazi.

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GNA MoD Claims 2500 ISIS Bodies Collected in Sirte

On 16 January, the GNA’s MoD spokesperson, announced that more than 2,500 bodies of ISIS fighters had been collected from Sirte.On 17 January, LNA forces in Nawfaliyah, a town west of Sirte, captured Emhemmed Emrajaa al-Hamali, a senior Libyan ISIS commander from Sirte. Al-Hamali was taken by the LNA to Grenada prison in Benghazi.

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BRSC Says ISIS Breakout from Ganfuda a ‘Betrayal’

On 10 January, the BRSC said that the ISIS breakout from the Benghazi areas of Sabri and Ganfuda on 5 January caused ‘some’ disarray in their ranks, calling the ISIS withdrawal a ‘betrayal’. The BRSC and their supporters are facing a growing scandal over their exposed collaboration with ISIS.

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ISIS Fighter Says Tunisian Journalists Killed in Derna

There are reports of ISIS fighters sabotaging infrastructure in south-west Libya, including an attack on the Man Made River pipeline. An anti-ISIS tribal coalition has reportedly been formed to counter this threat. In Sirte, an ISIS suicide bomber attacked BM forces but no casualties were reported, while ISIS fighter says Tunisia journalists were executed in Derna.

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Reports of ISIS Presence in Southern Libya

There are reports of an ISIS presence in south-west Libya, with ISIS fighters reportedly use the desert roads to move between areas, raid supplies and establish checkpoints. In Sirte, a Salafist brigade has been tasked with securing the city.

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ISIS Fighters Attack Water Pipe in Southern Libya

ISIS fighters attacked the main control station of the Man Made River pipe system southern Libya, however the LNA says the fighters have been driven away and that they now have control of the station. In Khoms, the mayor says last month’s beheading was not carried out by ISIS.

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Anti-ISIS Operation in Sirte Officially Complete

The GNA officially declared the operation against ISIS in Sirte victorious although BM forces continue to sweep the city for mines, explosives and fighters, while US AFRICOM continues to provide support to monitor Sirte and the surrounding area.

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BM Forces Sweep Sirte for ISIS Fighters, Mines

BM forces continue to sweep Sirte for remaining ISIS fighters, mines and IEDs. Hundreds of bodies have been recovered, including many from who are believed to be ISIS fighters from Derna. A mayor for Sirte was elected however BM forces have rejected him as being pro-Haftar and have appointed their own military governor.

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Action 6 Dec 16

In Sirte, the BM forces finally declared victory against IS forces on 5 December, following heavy fighting and US airstrikes, and on 6 December they said they were securing the last few buildings in the area.

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Action 29 Nov 2016

The beheading of a family in Khoms indicates ISIS fighters may have infiltrated the city, although the perpetrators of the attack are unknown. In Sirte, house-to-house fighting is taking place in the remaining few buildings where ISIS fighters are based, although BM forces continue to suffer losses.

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Action 22 Nov 16

BM forces are making slow but steady gains against ISIS in Sirte however they continue to suffer casualties and there are worrying signs that ISIS still has the capacity to resist and attack elsewhere, with ISIS posting pictures of checkpoints to the south of Sirte.

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Action 15 Nov 2016

BM forces said last week that the area of Sirte controlled by ISIS fighters is now ‘less than the size of a football pitch’, while Trump’s anti-ISIS stance mean both pro-GNA and pro-Haftar forces are hopeful that they will receive support from the new US administration in their fights against ISIS and other jihadis.

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Action 8 Nov 16

BM forces stormed ISIS’s stronghold of al-Jiza al-Bahriya in Sirte last week, evacuating families used as human shields. BM forces are expected to declare victory against ISIS in Sirte soon.

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Action 1 Nov 16

In Sirte, the BM spokesperson also said BM forces are allowing any civilians still living in the densely populated al-Jiza al-Bahriya area to evacuate before they make their ‘final’ assault.

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Action 25 Oct 16

In Sirte, the Misratan-led Bunyan al-Marsus (BM) forces, who are aligned with the GNA, have continued their assault against the remaining ISIS fighters in the city, while in Benghazi ISIS fighters engaged the LNA in Gawarsha.

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Action 18 Oct 16

Battles continued last week between the Government of National Accord (GNA)-aligned, Misratan-led ‘Bunyan Marsus’ (BM) forces and Islamic State (ISIS) in Sirte. Despite repeated announcements of the city’s imminent liberation by BM forces, the end does not yet appear to be in sight.

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Action 11 Oct 16

ISIS forces are still entrenched within a roughly one square kilometre enclave in north-east Sirte and continue to inflict casualties on their Misratan opponents through their use of snipers and explosive devices. This week, the Misratan forces made further gains against the remaining ISIS fighters, with support from US air strikes.

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Action 4 Oct 16

After a lull in fighting last week, Bunyan al-Marsus forces launched a fresh offensive on ISIS-held areas of Sirte. They sustained heavy losses, while in an area of the city supposedly secured by BM forces, a Dutch journalist was killed by an ISIS sniper.

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Action 27 Sept 16

In Sirte, Misratan forces continue to battle ISIS fighters who remain barricaded in their stronghold in north-eastern Sirte. The Misratans suffered heavy losses last week after a renewed push to take the ISIS-held area, while ISIS fighters also launched a surprise attack against Sirte port.

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Action 20 Sept 16

In Sirte, Misratan-led forces have begun a final push to destroy remaining  pockets of ISIS in Sirte, while clashes have broken out between ISIS fighters and other militias to the south of Sirte, confirming that some ISIS members have managed to seep out of the city.

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Action 13 Sept 16

In Sirte, the Misratan-led Bunyan al-Marsus forces have continued to make gains against the remaining ISIS forces, which are now holed up in a very small section of the city. However, progress is slow because the Misratans continue to suffer losses from sniper fire and suicide attacks.

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Action 5 Sept 16

The Misratan-led Al-Bunyan Al-Marsus forces are now very close to completely defeating ISIS in Sirte. The ISIS HQ in Sirte has been taken and was visited last week by the PM Fayez Al Serraj and some members of the GNA Presidential Council.

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Action — 29 August 2016

In Sirte, fighting halted last week but resumed fiercely on 27 August. The break in the fighting was reportedly to allow wives and children of ISIS fighters to exit the conflict zone towards the southwest, though there is no evidence confirming this actually took place. It is likely that key ISIS commanders will have taken advantage of this lull in fighting to escape to the south, meaning the destruction of ISIS in Sirte will not mean the eradication of ISIS in Libya… On 28 August, Bunyan Marsus (BM) fighters aligned with the Government of National Accord (GNA) closed in on ISIS-held districts 1 and 3 of Sirte. At least 35 were killed and more than 180 injured as a result of fierce fighting and reportedly 14 attempted SVBIED attacks by ISIS.

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