Libyan forces corner ISIS in Sirte

Libyan forces allied with Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) have advanced into another area in their battle to liberate Sirte from Islamic State in fighting that killed 14 of their troops, military officials and hospital sources said.

Fighting has been on going since May, and Libyan forces are now close to finally liberating the city. After a pause in fighting on Thursday, pro-GNA fighters resumed the battle against ISIS holdouts in a seaside residential district of Sirte. At least three US air strikes hit ISIS positions on Friday in support of the advance.

All fourteen casualties are said to have come from sniper fire, which has significantly slowed the advance into Sirte.

So far over 500 Libyan GNA fighters have died with over 3,00 wounded.