Forces in western Libya are preparing to advance on the city of Sirte, Daesh seized last year, their spokesman said, pushing ahead with plans for a counter-attack after the militants made territorial gains in the last week.
The fighters based in the city of Misrata would like international logistical support to help retake what has become Daesh’s most important base outside Syria and Iraq, but will not wait for it before launching the operation, they said.
“We are ready and we are preparing our security arrangements to attack Sirte,” said Brigadier General Mohamed Al Gasri, spokesman for a newly formed military operations room in Misrata.
“We need logistical support from the international community, and we need weapons and ammunition,” Gasri said. “Whether they’re going to support us or not, we will be there soon. We will not stand and watch.”
Gasri confirmed that Daesh took several villages in the area and that the line of defence was now at Assdada, about 80km south of Misrata.
The militants have dug trenches and planted mines around the Abu Grain checkpoint, he said.
Thirteen members of the security forces were killed and 110 wounded in last week’s fighting, Gasri said.
Wounded fighters at a hospital in Misrata said suicide bombers had attacked in armoured vehicles, one of which approached a checkpoint behind cars carrying families fleeing Sirte.
Misrata brigade members fought to defend the Abu Grain checkpoint for nearly an hour but were forced to withdraw as they were outnumbered, one said.
The eastern military has made some advances against its armed opponents, including fighters loyal to Daesh, in Benghazi, Libya’s second city.
Late on Monday, Daesh said it had executed three men captured during fighting in Benghazi last month.
A hospital spokesman in Benghazi said two of those killed – including one who was beheaded – were volunteer nurses who had been helping treat wounded troops.
The operations room was set up by a UN-backed unity government that arrived in Tripoli at the end of March.
European powers and the United States hope the unity government will be able to unite Libya’s rival political groups and armed factions to take on Daesh, though it is unclear how far its authority extends on the ground.
gulftoday.ae
