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Libya: Sarraj Council Struggles with Security | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Forces aligned with Libya’s new unity government advance along a road in Sirte. / Reuters


Cairo – Amid the security scampering in the capital of Libya, Tripoli, security forces fighting ISIS in Sirte announced they have killed about 100 terrorists in retaliation of the attack that killed 36 of its fighters.

Following the armed clashes that killed 49 people, Fayiz Sarraj’s Presidential Council of Government of National Accord called on citizens of al-Qarah Boli to be wise.

Presidential Council of Sarraj government discussed the military operations in Sirte with Minister of Defense Al-Mahdi al-Barghathi, Head of Security Committee General Abdul-Rahman al-Taweel, and other officials.

In a statement issued following the meeting, the attendees said that the forces are advancing on several axes and that civilians are the reason for not liberating Sirte earlier.

The statement also stressed the importance of uniting all military rooms and forces in one unified command room, in addition to forming a committee in charge of following up the cases of the wounded.

Operation Solid Structure Media Bureau announced in a statement that forces were able to advance on several axes in preparation to clear ISIS from the area.

Media Official of Misratah Hospital said that the final count revealed 36 members of the government forces were killed and 100 injured during the clashes in Sirte.

Clashes at al-Zaafaran and al-Gharbeyyeh axes are ongoing, a military source at Sirte Liberation room said. These are the fiercest clashes taking place between ISIS and forces of the Government of National Accord.

Spokesperson of Media Center of Libyan Forces in Misrata Abdulallah bin Raes Ali announced that ISIS is aggressively defending the areas remaining under its control. He added that the terrorist organization fears defeat after losing several areas.

Last month, factions formed of Misrata fighters launched an attack to take Sirte back from ISIS. Factions are slowly advancing now even after seizing the strategic “700” neighborhood.

According to medical count of Mistratah Central Hospital, over 170 fighters were killed and 500 injured of the government forces during their fight against ISIS in Sirte.