Islamic State still putting up stiff resistance even though they are bound to lose in Sirte

On Saturday the forces of Al Bunyan Al Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) faced continuing fierce resistance from the few remaining fighters of the Islamic State(IS) holed up within a small area of the city of Sirte, their former stronghold.

The IS continued to cause casualties as well with BAM forces losing at least five men on Saturday. Most of the BAM fighters are from brigades in the city of Misrata. According to a Reuters report there are only a few dozen houses remaining to be captured. The BAM forces have been advancing only slowly in an attempt to limit casualties among their own fighters but also among civilians and captives held by the IS. The IS have used snipers, tunnels, suicide bombers and hidden explosives to slow the advance of the BAM fighters. According to a hospital spokesperson in Misrata, Akram Gliwan, as well as five BAM fighters being killed there were 18 wounded.

The BAM forces claimed they faced two suicide bombers and also a woman from the IS fired at BAM fighters after they tried to provide a safe passage for her. BAM forces used tanks and heavy machine gun fire to destroy buildings held by the IS. BAM was able to capture a number of houses in the Ghiza Bahriya district. The BAM offensive has been aided by U.S. airstrikes since August 1, with at least 420 strikes being carried out so far.

The Libya Observer confirms that five BAM members were killed Saturday but claims more than 30 others were injured. According to military sources the remaining IS fighters are trapped in 54 houses in the area. The sources also said 30 houses had been captured. Last week the BAM forces recovered bodies of 30 IS fighters in the zone.

Another report on the fighting cites medical sources as claiming that at least eight BAM fighters were killed as well as 17 wounded. Sirte was the home town of Moamer Gadaffi the long-time ruler of Libya until he was overthrown. It is about 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of Tripoli. The offensive against Sirte began in May. The six months of fighting have left about 700 of the BAM fighters, loyal to the UN-brokered Government of National Accord (GNA), dead and 3,000 wounded. No one has kept track of the number of IS fighters killed.

Islamic State continues fierce resistance within confines of a small area of Sirte Libya

Even though it is six months since the forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) began the offensive against the Islamic State(IS) in the areas around Sirte and now within Sirte itself, a few remnants continue to hold out in the city.

Most of the fighters are brigades from the city of Misrata. They have been aided by U.S. air strikes since the beginning of August with a pause at the beginning of November. The remaining IS fighters are holed up in just one small section the Marine Giza district. In the last 48 hours fighting appears to have been stepped up with 37 IS fighters said to have been killed some wearing suicide vests. The U.S. African command has resumed bombings and reported that 50 fighting positions had been targeted by 13 air strikes just today. Since the bombing began there have now been a total of 411 air attacks.

A commander of the BAM forces, loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord called through a megaphone for civilians to surrender, especially women and children, offering them safe passage. There has been footage shown of three women in long black dress with hands held high making their way to the BAM front line. The Libya Herald claims that the area held by the IS now consists of only a few dozen properties along the Mediterranean sea coast. Still advancing forces are slowed by booby traps, mines and snipers. On Tuesday, BAM forces claimed that they pushed forward seizing a number of barricaded houses.

A spokesperson for BAM, Rida Issa, said: "The Islamic State gangs are trying desperately to resist up until their last breath." The BAM forces have lost at least three of their fighters since Monday. Several groups of civilians have been able to surrender or been captured during recent weeks. It is not known how many remain. Once Sirte is lost, the IS will hold no territory in Libya although there are no doubt sleeper cells spread throughout the country.

The U.S. AFRICOM Command said in a statement “The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the Government of National Accord as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya. These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies." "Daesh" is a term for the Islamic State. More than half of all the bombings were carried out during the month of October. Several hundred BAM troops have been killed in the offensive and a few thousand have been wounded as snipers, booby traps and suicide bombers have taken a heavy toll.

Offensive against Islamic State in Sirte resumes

The forces of the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) resumed their final push against the few remnants of the Islamic State(IS) in Libya cornered in a small central area of Sirte, their former stronghold.

The offensive against the Islamic State began back on the 12th of May. The offensive advanced very quickly at first until the BAM forces entered the city of Sirte. There the advance was much slower as BAM forces faced fierce resistance and were attacked with many suicide vehicles packed with explosives. There were many snipers and booby-traps everywhere. Since August 1, US airstrikes have aided the ground forces and there are a few special forces present from the UK and the US. Still the IS forces have continued to resist with the end of the battle predicted much earlier. There may be fewer than one hundred IS fighters left in a small area of about a square kilometer. In total, the casualty count is more than 450 BAM fighters, mostly from the city of Misrata brigades, and 2,500 wounded. The Misrata hospital has been overwhelmed and some wounded have been sent out of the country.

In today's clashes,ten IS fighters were reported killed when they tried to escape and others were apparently being chased. However, 8 BAM fighters were also reported killed, as well as 24 wounded, according to the hospital in Misrata.

An Italian journalist was also earlier reported killed but this turned out not to be the case. A Dutch photo-journalist, Jeroen Oerlemans was killed when shot in the chest by a sniper while he was covering today's clashes.

In preparation for the BAM advance, the US had carried out six attacks on IS posiitons on Saturday. Since the first of August US aircraft have carried out 177 airstrikes in support of the BAM forces according to the US Africa Command. The US mission called Odyssey Lightning has been extended for another month. GNA air force planes from Misrata were also said to have conducted raids to prepare for the offensive. One report says that 6 strikes were carried out on Sunday morning before the offensive began.

The Libya Observer reports that IS militants attacked a checkpoint of Brigade 166 in the south of Sirte. The attackers hoped to break the siege of their comrades who were trapped in the city. The attack was made at dawn. However, the attack failed and at least 60 militants were killed. The Oberserver has a photo of bodies of the IS fighters piled up in the box of a pickup. Military sources said: "The ISIS convoy came from the desert, all the attackers were foreigners, they were all killed." No doubt these fighters fled Sirte earlier.

By some estimates there are only about 100 IS fighters left in Sirte, so the battle should be finished soon. A recent tweet citing somewhat different casualty figures has some photos from Sirte: #Libya | Impressive pictures of #Sirte, destroyed, from the social medias. So far 7 killed and at least 57 injured in the clashes of today.

Remmants of Islamic State fighters in Sirte refuse to surrender

Forces of the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) are advancing against the last holdouts of the Islamic State in Sirte. BAM forces are mostly brigades from Misrata and are loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

The "final offensive" has been going on for some with fighting resumed today after a relative calm. The remnants of the Islamic State fighters are now cornered in just one area of Sirte. The offensive began in May and has been helped since the offensive stalled in Sirte by U.S. airstrikes that began on August 1.

Even at this late stage, the few remaining IS fighters refuse to surrender and are resisting with sniper, car bombs, mines and shelling, taking a heavy toll on the BAM forces. The BAM forces claim to have captured several buildings today as well as destroying an IS car bomb before it reached its target. A recent tweet claims: "Breaking News: Misrata-led forces retake Eddekhar Bank, Madina Hotel and Central Bank of Libya branch in Sirte’s residential district 3." A tweet also reports the casualties: "BAM, OTOH, advanced on the western edge of District 3, at the cost of 7 killed and 30 wounded today." Bodies of 10 IS fighters were found in a school building. Another tweet reports higher casualties: "Casualties today in Sirte #Libya: 9 dead (8 Misrata, 1 Zliten) and over 70 injured on Bunyan Marsous side, mainly from #ISIS/Daesh car bombs."

Earlier this year, the IS lost their other stronghold, Derna in eastern Libya, to rival Islamist groups. With the loss of Sirte, the IS will no longer control any cities in Libya. There may be cells throughout the country. Some appear to be in the area of the city of Bani Walid.

The U.S. bombing campaign called Operation Odyssey Lightning has been extended for another month to the end of September. The Sirte battle should be finished soon but perhaps the U.S. planes will find some IS fighters moving throughout the country to attack. A tweet reports on U.S. attacks today: #Libya-#Sirte: #US reportedly conducted 4 combat missions today incl. targeting 3 #ISIS snipers.

The BAM forces have had some support from small numbers of special forces from the U.K. and the U.S., as well as forces from the Petroleum Facilities Guard(PFG) who captured several towns east of Sirte earlier on in the campaign. Although General Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army associated with the Al-Thinni government of the House of Representatives (HoR), announced that he would march on Sirte to liberate it, he ended up not participating at all. Haftar refuses to recognize the GNA or the armed forces of the GNA. The PFG supports the GNA.

Heavy losses to forces loyal to Libyan unity government in offensive against ISIS in Sirte

The fighters of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure or BAM), loyal to the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord, have suffered heavy losses in what has been described as the final push to drive the Islamic State (IS) from Sirte.

Most of the members of BAM come from the city of Misrata. Sirte is the last stronghold held by the IS in Libya as they lost the city of Derna to rival Islamists earlier this year. The offensive began in May and advanced quickly until entering Sirte where BAM has met fierce resistance. After August 1st the offensive was helped by U.S. bombing attacks which lately have also involved an advanced helicopter gunship.

The final advance was announced over two weeks ago. A Digital Journal article of August 16th had a headline saying that almost all Sirte had been freed from IS control. However, two weeks later even with U.S. air strikes for support and the U.K. and U.S. special forces helping, the battle still rages. What is even worse is that the toll of dead is rising quickly. Today, August 28, 34 BAM fighters were reported killed and more than 180 wounded according to Reuters. The BAM forces have been killed by landmines, sniper fire, and suicide bombings. A recent tweet puts the death toll today even higher: " Death toll among #BAM forces in today fighting in #Sirte rose to 37 KIA and 217 wounded. #ISIS #Libya."

One tweet suggests that the offensive has been over-hyped: "Why no questioning about consistent misleading media hype about Sirte #Libya? And why no questioning re: U.S. airstrikes and #ISIS casualties?" Perhaps the media hype was due to a too optimistic view of the situation and an underestimation of the defense that the IS was able to mount to stem the advances. Even after U.S. air attacks the defenders have been able to exact a heavy toll as is evident from today's casualties. There certainly is a question about ISIS casualties as no one seems to be keeping good track of them. It is not clear how many prisoners are being taken as well.

On Sunday, brigades advanced in the last two areas occupied by the IS. There were advances along the seafront in Number One residential neighborhood, and also advances in street-to-street fighting in neighborhood number three. The BAM forces used tanks, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft guns to try to break through IS positions. The IS had attempted five suicide car bombings at least one of which was destroyed before reaching its target. The pause in the battle earlier this week was to allow wives and children of IS fighters to leave the zone. Pauses are sometimes made to allow technicians to clear mines from an area before further advances are made. Most of the 80,000 residents have left as well as many IS fighters who have probably dispersed throughout Libya and even to neighboring countries.

A tweet provides some idea of the extent of recent advances: "#Libya | The 166th battalion states that the forces control 50% of the neighborhood 1 and a large part of the neighborhood 3 as well." The IS had captured Sirte in June of 2015.

A spokesperson for the BAM forces, Reda Issa said: "Our forces entered the last areas held by Daesh in Sirte: district number one and district number three. The final battle for Sirte has started." "Daesh" is an Arabic term for the IS. Given that the Headquarters of the IS and many other areas have been seized recently announcing a final battle at this stage may not be premature.

Last Islamic State forces in Libyan stronghold of Sirte being cleared out

The media office of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure or BAM) said that its forces are advancing into residential areas one and five, the last areas in which Islamic State(IS) forces are still hiding out in Sirte — their last stronghold in Libya.

BAM forces are mainly brigades from the city of Misrata and are loyal to the UN-brokered Government of National Accord (GNA). The Libya Observer reports that BAM had occupied key positions including the Al-Ribatt Mosque, Sahara Bank and headquarters of Al-Hisbah, and the building of the former security agency used as a jail by IS. They also took over many housing units, the Sirte polyclinic and the insurance building.

A number of tweets confirm the advances. One tweet claims: "Misrata-led forces retake #Sirte Polyclinic from #ISIS". Another tweet notes that an IS leader was captured while trying to flee Sirte: ‏"@alwasatengnews #ISIS leader Mohamed Raheel Werfali captured east of #Sirte while attempting to flee. #Libya "

Media sources claim: “Many IS militants were caught including women after storming into IS field hospital and other locations.” Mistrata hospital reported that 11 dead BAM fighters had been received along with 97 wounded as the battle continues to exact a heavy toll on the fighters. A tweet reports slightly different casualties: "Casualties continue in Sirte #Libya: 11 killed and about 80 injured today in Bunyan Marsous/Misrata-led forces against #ISIS/Daesh. " Another report claims just ten were killed and 17 wounded. However, there now remain only a few IS fighters stranded in a few streets in residential areas one and five. The IS state is expected to resort to terror attacks and guerrilla-type warfare even after losing its last territory in Libya.

Air force units of the GNA have carried out operations against IS positions in Sirte and also are trying to stop any IS fighters from escaping from the city. Since August 1st the US has been carrying airstrikes to help out the advancing BAM forces. Up to August 16th the US had conducted 57 airstrikes against IS in Sirte but there have been a number more since then. Some numbers of special forces from various countries including the UK and US are also helping out BAM. As shown on the enclosed video the Misrata Hospital has been overwhelmed by the number of wounded from the campaign.

Islamic State controls just one main remaining area in Sirte Libya

Of the two remaining residential districts still occupied by the Islamic State in Libya, one has been taken today (Aug. 16) by the forces of the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

The BAM forces are now three months into a campaign to drive the Islamic State (IS) out of their last stronghold in Libya. Earlier this year they were driven out of the city of Derna by rival jihadists. The Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar also claims it was involved. The LNA is now engaged in Operation Volcano to drive the jihadists of the Shura Council of Derna from the city. Haftar announced ages ago that he was going to free Sirte but has not been involved in the offensive at all. A recent tweet says : "Joke of #ALbunyan Last house in sirt will be left to Gn hafter to liberate it him self..^"

Since August 1st, the BAM forces have been helped by US air strikes. There are also special forces from several countries including the US and UK helping out on the ground. A recent tweet reports: "The #USA carried out 48 air strikes against #ISIS in #Sirte since August 1 in support of operation Odyssey Lighting."

A few days ago, the BAM forces managed to take the headquarters of the IS at the main hall of the Ouagadougou Center as well as guest house buildings earlier. They have also captured a hospital at the center. Recently they captured a radio station, and just today they captured Residential area number two. Spokesperson for the BAM forces, Rida Issa, said:"The forces have made more progress in neighborhood Number Two, with help from artillery and from naval forces. On Tuesday morning clashes erupted... that led successfully to the recapture of neighborhood Number 2 with the cooperation of a tank unit to confront ISIS snipers. The neighborhood is now completely under control of our forces,.”Issa also said the forces had advanced into residential area number one in the heart of Sirte and the last area held by the IS. A recent tweet claims: "#BAM forces are said to be fighting #ISIS elements in D1 #Sirte #Libya after taking over D2 y'day.Map by @MENASTREAM "

As the forces advanced the IS tried to halt them using vehicles with bombs but two of them were destroyed on the ground before they could reach BAM forces. However, one exploded near the forces. A tweet describes the casualties today: "James Wheeler ‏@wheelertweets #ISIS/Daesh Sirte #Libya: Bunyan Marsous/Misrata report 4 dead and over 50 injured on their side today as they finish residential district 2 "

The GNA will not have much time to celebrate the defeat of the IS in Sirte, as it is facing new problems. The Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades have attacked the intelligence headquarters of the GNA in Tripoli. Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) is threatening to take over oil ports in the east from the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) threatening the re-opening of the ports to export under an agreement between the GNA and the PFG. Should clashes occur with Haftar, some of the BAM forces could move east to help the PFG forces against Haftar.

Forces loyal to Libyan unity government capture bomb factory in Sirte

Forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure, or BAM), loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) continue to advance slowly against the encircled remnants of Islamic State (IS) fighters in the center of Sirte.

On Sunday July 24, the BAM forces seized a building that was being used by the IS as a bomb factory. On their Facebook page the BAM forces showed rooms that contained explosive devices, mobile phones, and cables. The building is the largest captured recently. While IS resistance was predicted to end days ago, they still appear to be resisting strongly. Since the offensive against Sirte started in May more than 280 troops have been killed many belonging to brigades from the city of Misrata. More than 1500 have been wounded.Another source claims a casualty total of more than 300 killed and more than 1,300 wounded.

A report in the Wall Street Journal says that BAM forces reported they had seized the security headquarters of the IS in Sirte, which they called a crucial step towards retaking complete control of the city that the IS had held for 16 months, and is the last city they control. Earlier they had controlled Derna but were driven out mostly by rival jihadists earlier this year. Libyan commanders said that the area controlled by the IS had been reduced to just two square miles within the city. The security headquarters are a complex in an area where the BAM forces have been trying to enter for weeks.

The BAM fighters have often complained that they receive little aid from the GNA. However, there do seem to be a few UK and US special forces helping out. France recently lost 3 military personnel when a helicopter was shot down or crashed while helping out the Libyan National Army of Khalifa Haftar fight against the Defend Benghazi Brigades (DBB) who oppose Haftar. Haftar does not recognize the GNA and the BAM militia he would consider terrorists. Haftar has done nothing to help liberate Sirte although he announced many weeks ago that he was going to do so.

The resistance to the BAM forces has been fierce and any advance is slowed by snipers, suicide bombers, and land mines. The IS is also using civilians as a shield. BAM has been reluctant to use too much heavy artillery for fear it could cause many civilian casualties. There has been considerable close combat using lighter weapons and armored vehicles. A senior officer said that they were trying to minimize casualties among their own troops. Not too long ago western quarters were worrying about the advance of the IS in Libya and how they might be required to intervene to stop them. However, it seems only a matter of days or a week or so before the IS will have lost its last territory held in Libya.

Forces loyal to Libyan unity government inch forward against Islamic State in Sirte

Forces loyal to the UN-brokered Government of National Accord (GNA), the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure, or BAM), move slightly further into Islamic State controlled territory in the center of the city of Sirte.

On Thursday there was heavy fighting with dozens killed on both sides. While the offensive against the Islamic State advanced rapidly in May and June, in July the BAM forces have met fierce resistance as the remaining IS fighters are encircled in a central section of Sirte. Although their headquarters have been attacked, they are not yet occupied by the BAM fighters. The BAM forces are facing heavy losses from snipers, suicide bombers, and mines every time they attempt to advance further.

Sirte is the last major city in Libya under the control of the Islamic State. It was captured last year along with a considerable stretch of coastal areas about 250 kilometers (155 miles) to the east and west, in some places extending a considerable distance to the south. However, that territory is all gone and IS now has control of just a few square kilometers within Sirte itself. The BAM forces were helped by forces from the Petroleum Forces Guard who advanced from the east and captured several towns. For some time, the IS had control of the eastern city of Derna but lost it to rival jihadists earlier this year.

Most of the BAM forces are composed of brigades from the city of Misrata. The BAM group said that they had captured a hotel on the eastern front line that had been used by IS snipers, and that they had taken control of part of the "Dollar" neighborhood. The group also claimed that they had foiled three attempts at car bomb attacks and also destroyed an armored vehicle. A tank belonging to BAM was apparently blown up.

BAM said they counted 50 bodies of IS fighters. The Misrata general hospital said that at least 25 brigade members were killed and 200 wounded. A BAM spokesperson said that since the offensive began in May more than 300 BAM fighters have been killed with more than 1,300 wounded.

A recent casualty of the Sirte offensive was TV reporter Abdulgader Fassouk, who was killed by an IS sniper. Another journalist Mohamed Aqub was wounded. The Libyan Centre for the Freedom of the Press called Fassouk "a brave journalist" and had just recently spoken of the risk to war correspondents and the lack of physical protection and safety equipment in Libya. Over a week ago it was predicted that IS resistance in Sirte would likely end in a few days but there is as yet no sign of that happening.

Troops loyal to Libyan unity government attack Islamic State headquarters in Sirte

The Albinyan Almarsoos (Solid Structure, BAM or Albunian) forces, loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) are reported to have attacked a conference hall in the middle of Sirte, the headquarters of the Islamic State (IS).

The IS has been surrounded in the city for some time but suicide bombers, booby traps, and snipers have caused heavy losses and slowed the advance of the BAM forces, who are mostly composed of militia members from the city of Misrata. The campaign against the IS has now lasted two months butsome predict the offensive will soon be victorious. The advance is also slowing down in order to ensure that there are not too many civilian casualties as the IS appears to be using civilians as shields.

Sirte has been under control of the IS since last year and had extended its control along 250 kilometers (155 miles) of coastllne often to a considerable depth to the south. If the IS loses Sirte it will have control of no significant territory in Libya although no doubt it will retain a presence in many areas and be able to launch attacks.

On Friday, Aziz Issa, a spokesperson for the central hospital in Misrata, said at least 20 members were killed and another 120 wounded, a relatively high toll. Ahmed Hadia said that clashes around the Ouagadougou Conference Hall and the Ghiz Asskariya neighborhood had been ongoing for two days. Hadia claimed BAM forces had actually entered the complex but were not able to hold it. He said that the IS used three car bombs in an attempt to counter attack. The conference hall is a key site but so far the BAM forces have been unable to oust the IS from their headquarters.

Another report on Friday spoke of BAM forces only coming within a few hundred meters of the Islamic State headquarters. The report quotes, Mohammed Ghasri, a spokesperson for the BAM forces as saying:“Once you control Ouagadougou, the battle is over.” There is a recent photo of the conference hall here and a video of recent battles here. The report claims only 14 killed on Friday and 50 injured according to Ghasri.

A recent tweet gives a third casualty number: 25 killed + 120 wounded From #albunian force In sirt Friday. Another tweet suggests that the headquarters of the IS is full of booby traps and even two hidden IS fighters exploded themselves when BAM troops stormed the basement: #albunian All #wag HQ R booby trapped Underground R hiden suicide terrorests wait 2 explode them selves when we storm the basement