Misrata Military Council announces all brigades under its control to join "Libyan Army"

The Misrata Military Council (MMC) announced that all brigades under its control will join the Central Military Zone of "the Libyan Army".

No detailed explanation of what exactly the Central Military Zone group is supposed to be is given except to describe it as forces in much of western Libya loyal to the UN-brokered Government of National Accord(GNA) and its Presidency Council (PC). The Libyan Army is opposed to the Libyan National Army(LNA) associated with the rival House of Representatives (HoR) in the east. The LNA is commanded by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

The Council appears anxious to create a unified GNA army as a rival to Haftar's LNA. The group has been critical of the GNA for not taking a strong stance against the LNA and Haftar as noted in a recent DJ article. In the announcement the LNA is described as "private protection units and militias". Haftar is described as a "rogue general" even though he is now a Field Marshall and appointed commander by the HoR government.

Many of the brigades of the Misrata Military Council took part in the Al-Bunyan al-Marsous(BAM) military offensive that liberated Sirte recently during an 8-month battle during which 700 fighters died. The offensive helped forge the MMC into a relatively structured fighting force as is the LNA. The Third Force deployed in southern Libya would also logically be part of the Libyan Army. Presidency Council deputy chair Ahmed Maetig spoke positively about various militias being absorbed into a single army. One of the continuing problems is that the GNA has depended upon various militias for security. There have been constant clashes and many militia have their own agendas that can sometimes conflict with that of the GNA.

A Presidential Guard was formed last May but most of the group defected to those from the former Salvation Government attempting a coup and who are occupying the Rixos hotel complex in Tripoli. This happened last October! Maetig was also scathing in his criticism of Haftar and the LNA. The UN envoy to Libya Martin Kobler has been adamant that Haftar must play a role in a new GNA government. Unless, Kobler is able to offer Haftar terms that he accepts, it is unlikely that the HoR will ever vote confidence in the GNA as required under the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA).

The Libya Observer also covers the same announcement and also says that the aim is to unite the most powerful armed brigades under one command and would take place according to the laws in force of the Libyan National Army. A military source said:“This action could be described as a reaction and attempt to reinstate an authentic version of a military institution, which is universally known to have loyalty to God and country, not private protection units and militias similar to those employed by rogue General Khalifa Haftar and his predecessor Gadaffi before him."The Libyan Express also reported on the announcement.

Sirte offensive clears Libyan city of Islamic State fighters

(December 5) Several reports indicate that the Islamic State(IS) has been completely driven from their former stronghold of Sirte. The other day the group controlled only two blocks and about 50 buildings in the city.

The Guardian reports Rida Issa, spokesperson for the Misrata brigades, part of the BAM (Al Bunyan Al-Marsous) forces, as claiming that they had taken the last IS held buildings in the city. The Daily Star reports Issa as saying: "Our forces have total control of Sirte. Our forces saw Daesh (ISIS) totally collapse."

The announcement may be a bit premature. A tweet claims: "Spox of Media Ops of forces fighting IS n Sirte-Ahmed Hadia-denies to BBC that city completely fallen, tells me military ops ongoing #Libya". This is obviously a different spokesperson. Perhaps there are still mopping up operations going on. Another tweet reports a casualty: "One killed in sirt today from albunyanAli bin rajab. Wounded twice b4"

Another article claims that the BAM forces were close to securing the area where the IS had been holding out but that there were reports of continuing skirmishes. In 2015 the IS had taken control of Sirte and an area extending about 150 miles along the Mediterranean coastline. The BAM forces began an offensive to retake Sirte back in May. Since August 1st they have been aided by U.S. airstrikes, about 470 in all. There are also a small number of U.S. special forces helping out.

The article also notes BAM spokesperson Rida Issa as saying that BAM forces had taken control of all of the Ghiza Bahriya neighborhood where the IS forces had been holding out. However, it also said the statement could not be immediately verified and that there was no official announcement that Sirte had been taken. One field commander claimed there was still some fighting in Ghiza Bahriya.

Earlier 34 IS fighters had surrendered to Libyan forces including two senior commanders according to officials. Mohamed Lajnef a staff member of a local field hospital said six women and 2 children had also surrendered. He claimed the three BAM fighters had been killed and 17 wounded. Earlier, several women had carried out suicide attacks as they were granted safe passage.

While the defeat of the IS in Sirte will leave it without any permanent control of territory it is no doubt still present as sleeper cells in many areas of the country ready to engage in terror attacks. The fighting has taken a heavy toll on BAM forces mostly from Misrata brigades. More than 700 have been killed and over 3,200 wounded. Many of the brigades are anti-Haftar and may perhaps turn their attention to battle with his forces if necessary. There have been recent clashes in Tripoli as well and some of the brigade members may join to help out Islamist groups in conflict with other militia in Tripoli if clashes resume.

Islamic State in Libya controls only about two blocks and 50 buildings in Sirte

(December 2) The Pentagon claims that the Islamic State now only controls about two blocks and 50 buildings in the city of Sirte whereas they had once ruled the entire city and a considerable area in all directions surrounding it.

Captain Jeff Davis, Pentagon spokesperson said the remaining militants are persistent and fighting to the death. Their resistance is stubborn. He said: "This is ISIL's last stand in Sirte and they are fighting hard." The US began bombing support for the Sirte offensive at the first of August and have carried out 467 missions since then. TheUS Africa Command claims to have carried out three strikes near the city of Sirte on Thursday. The offensive is being led by the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) mainly of brigades from the city of Misrata.

The BAM forces have rescued some civilians including women and children of late. However, a spokesperson for BAM claimed that several women blew themselves up recently killing four BAM soldiers who had granted them safe passage to leave buildings controlled by IS militants. 38 people were wounded. Reuters journalists saw one woman escorting 3 young children through an alley towards BAM forces. Shortly after the children had been driven away in an ambulance, the woman detonated explosives resulting in almost a dozen people being wounded. The IS has even retaken control of a row of buildings that had been destroyed in earlier fighting. The Libyan Gazette also reports on the female bombers.

US Special Envoy to Libya, Jonathan Winer, warned lawmakers at a hearing that many IS fighters who managed to escape fighting in Sirte and Benghazi have "gone underground, forming cells elsewhere in the country". Winer claimed further: "Daesh is continuing to regroup in other areas of Libya, the United States’ special envoy for Libya has warned. “We believe they are waiting for opportunities to engage in further attacks in Libya or its neighbours, and if possible to reassert [Daesh] geographically...The gains against [Daesh] are real. But they also could be reversible, if Libyans do not come together to participate in the Government of National Accord and to help it perform its work for the Libyan people and to unify against the common threat to all.” There is no sign of this happening at present. The offensive against Sirte was begun back in May. It slowed considerably once BAM entered the city of Sirte.

The Department of State's deputy counter-terrorism coordinator, Marie Richards, noted about the offensive: "They have made a great deal of progress, but the fight has been quite severe and the Libyan forces have taken a lot of casualties. We are very confident that in a short period they will be able to eliminate the threat coming out of Sirte." Echoing Winer, Richards said IS fighters would be dispersed throughout Libya and the US would be watching carefully to see where they go,

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.

US airstrikes in Sirte appear ended for now

(November 7) Fox News reports that several U.S. officials claim that after three months of strikes on Islamic State positions in Sirte designed to help the offensive by Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) the operation has ended.

Operation Odyssey Lightning began on August 1. When originally announced the operation was only to last for a few weeks. It has been extended every thirty days since then through September and October but there appears to be no extension into November. The Islamic State (IS) is now confined to a small area of Sirte along the Mediterranean and there are very few IS fighters left. However, they continue a fierce resistance. U.S. officials told Fox News that they were consulting with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and did not rule out further strikes in the future. One senior defense official said that there were fewer targets available now without the risk of civilian casualties.

Since the operation began Aug. 1, 367 airstrikes have been carried out. A recent tweet shows a graph of the strikes: "Graphs showing 3 months of Odyssey Lightning OP in #Sirte. 737 ISIS fighters, 38 SVBIED, 36 supply vehicles / positions, targeted since Aug1" No airstrikes have taken place since the end of August.

Apparently new orders from U.S. Africa Command on November 1 are to "end offensive and self-defense strikes" against the IS in Sirte. However, a U.S. official claimed that President Obama can authorize additional strikes going forward on targets of interest. The Sirte Operation has been carried out unilaterally but at the request of the GNA. The U.S. has carried out two other separate airstrikes in Libya since 2015.

While the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship, conducted operations involving Harrier Jets and Cobra attack helicopters a majority of the strikes were actually by drones from bases in the region. The Wasp was replaced by the USS San Antonio recently which cannot launch Harrier jets. The U.S. also has a few special forces on the ground helping out in the offensive against Sirte along with some from the U.K.

Meanwhile, ground operations by BAM continue against the IS remnants now confined to just one small district. As they advance they have been able to free some civilians from the IS. On Sunday BAM forces freed 14 civilians from the small Ghiza Bahriya area where IS continues to resist. The forces are advancing slowly and cautiously in an effort to limit civilian casualties. Several groups of civilians have been able to escape or been rescued lately. Some are migrant women and children kidnapped by the IS as they tried to make their way to Europe. Rida Issa, a spokesperson for the BAM forces, mostly from the city of Misrata, said there was no advance on Sunday but on Saturday there were small gains after heavy tank and artillery fire against IS positions.

On Saturday the Misrata Central Hospital reported two BAM fighters were killed and 22 more wounded in clashes with IS fighters. Only ten of those injured needed to stay in the hospital.

UPDATE: According to an article in the Military TImes the operation has been extended. There has been no official announcement and no news as to how long and when extension was authorized. Up until now there have been no further attacks.

PqcWGk

Remaining Islamic State fighters in Sirte continue fierce resistance

Sirte (October 22) While the final battle against the remaining Islamic State(IS) fighters was announced weeks ago there are still a few IS fighters putting up fierce resistance in small overlooking the Mediterranean.

The forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) had divided the few remaining groups of IS fighters into two a few days ago. Now they have completely taken control of neighborhood 600 on Saturday one of the two remaining areas. The area gets its name because it is composed of 600 flats. The IS is now confined to the district of Jiza the final area held by the IS in Sirte.

During their advance a number of foreign nationals were freed. According to the Libya Observer, 1 Turk, 1 Egyptian and 11 enslaved women from Eritrea were rescued. Another source also confirms the release. On Thursday, according to Reuters, 2 Turks were freed, 2 from India, and 1 from Bangladesh. BAM forces are combing through the 600 area to uncover any hidden IEDs or militants still hiding. A tweet confirmed the capture of the 600 area: "#BAM forces announce they completely liberated the 600 Area. If confirmed the only hideout for #ISIS would be the Jizah Marina area #Libya"

In the course of the advance, the US was reported to have carried out three airstrikes against IS forces. Since Operation Odyssey Lightning began on August first the number of airstrikes is approaching 250. The amphibious assault ship Wasp from which the missions were being launched is being replaced by the amphibious transport dock San Antonio. As a result of the change, the fixed-wing AV-8B Harrier jump jets will be replaced by Bell SuperCobra and Venom helicopters.

There were casualites from the most recent advance. According to a twitter: "4 killed from #ALbunyan today in sirt 3 from misrata 1 from sebha." Sebha is in the south. Most of the brigades in the offensive are from the city of Misrata. Another tweet shows unexploded suicide belts from the the bodies of two IS fighters. There should be less than a hundred IS fighters left, I should imagine, so it will not be surprising if a final victory is announced within the next day or two. Sirte was Gadaffi's home town and he was killed while trying to escape from Sirte. The offensive against the IS began in May.

U.S. ups air attacks on the Islamic State in Sirte Libya

Although the final push to defeat the Islamic State (IS) in Sirte began some time ago and their imminent defeat has been announced a number of times, a few IS fighters still remain surrounded in the city in an increasingly smaller area.

In order to soften up IS positions before each advance of the Al Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) forces, the U.S. has targeted snipers and IS positions as part of its Operation Odyssey Lightning that began back on the beginning of August. Just in the last four days, the U.S. has carried out 51 airstrikes. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said that this was some of the heaviest bombing since the operation began. AFRICOM said that in all about 155 targets were hit, mostly enemy fighting positions.

The BAM forces are mostly brigades from the city of Misrata and are loyal to the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA). The U.S. airstrikes are in support of the Sirte offensive. There are also some special forces from the U.K. and the U.S. who are helping out on the ground. The attacks are launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp. Since the U.S. operation began it has carried out 261 airstrikes. The Stars and Stripes suggests that there are perhaps fewer than 200 IS fighters left in Sirte.

There were gains against IS on Friday when the group was split into two and on the weekend. On Tuesday BAM forces are reported to have begun advancing again. Mohamed Abdulla a pro-government fighter claimed that BAM forces are making progress every day but needed better care for their wounded. BAM forces have faced fierce opposition from snipers, suicide vehicle attacks, and booby traps. The cost to BAM forces has been heavy. Some sources put the tally at 560 BAM fighters killed plus more than 2,750 injured so far.

Spokesperson for BAM, Muhammad Al-Ghusri said on Wednesday: “The remaining IS militants are not positioned in a combat mode, they are rather cornered, lost and perplexed in a very small area in the city. A coordinated work between our air force and ground troops has paid off and all IS militants are waiting for their death at any minute as they lie trapped in a very small area in Sirte – an area that is encircled by our forces. IS radicals have now two options; surrender or die.”Al-Ghusri claimed that all possible exits have been closed off and there is no way the remaining fighters can escape.

Remaining Islamic State fighters in Sirte Libya split into two groups

Forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure of BAM) have managed to completely separate into two groups the few remaining fighters of the Islamic State(IS) who still are holding out in one small section of Sirte.

On Friday, according to Brigadier Mohammed Al-Gosri, spokesperson for BAM, BAM forces had managed to take control of the dividing line between neighborhood 600 and the sea-view Jiza apartment buildings. This has disconnected IS fighters from each other and also cut aid routes to the group. Al Gosri said that the division will make it easier to defeat the few remaining IS fighters in Sirte. He also said that the BAM fighters found tunnels connecting various locations held by IS that were used to move within the city. Al-Gosri said he expected the final battle would take place within hours. Fighting was still going on on Sunday.

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article giving details of how IS governed in Sirte, gleaned from records abandoned when they were overrun by BAM forces. They had a detailed tax code including special arrangements for herders: "A meticulous tax code found at another office showed how Islamic State funded itself at locals’ expense. Farmers were to turn over a calf if their herd reached 39 cows and a four-year-old camel if they owned up to 79 camels." The morality police also brought in revenue: "At the headquarters of the morality police, a dozen boxes filled with confiscated gold jewelry and stacks of money secured with rubber bands were scattered about. They are now in the hands of pro-government militias."

Over the weekend, at least eight BAM fighters were reported killed as they advanced into the 600 block faced with snipers and booby traps. The fighters advanced across two streets on Sunday but faced strong resistance. The offensive against Sirte and surrounding area has lasted five months now but must be almost finished. The IS held Sirte and the surrounding area for over a year now. Three women are shown surrendering here..

According to a report in Sputnik, more than 70 IS fighters were killed on Sunday. Local residents were said to have helped out by pointing out locations where IS fighters were sheltered. An account of action over the weekend can also be found here. If the casualty figures for the IS are correct, there must be well under a hundred IS fighters remaining. Since August the first, the U.S. has mounted over 200 bombing strikes on IS positions as part of Operation Odyssey Lightning. The operation is extended into October. There are also a few special forces from the U.K. and the U.S. providing help to BAM.

Islamic State still holding out in small area of Libyan city of Sirte

In spite of a prolonged offensive started back in May and help from US bombing raids, the Islamic State continues to hold a small area of Sirte Libya, their former stronghold.

Forces from Al Bunyan Al Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) are again making advances into the small area still held by the Islamic State (IS). BAM forces have been supported by US airstrikes since August 1 in an operation called Odyssey Lightning. The operation has been extended through October. There were also airstrikes by GNA planes as well as fire from tanks.

Last Sunday alone the US carried out 20 airstrikes. Pentagon spokesperson, Captain Jeff Davis said: "Every one of the strikes we do is based on a request from them, and we are down now into the last, densest part of the city. As they get to the dense areas, it's very hard to take out these sniper positions with anything other than air strikes." Since it began its operation US warplanes, drones and helicopters have carried out more than 200 strikes. Many of the strikes are launched from the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship just off the Libyan coast in the Mediterranian.

The militants are holding out in an area called Manara. Once this area is cleared, Misrata commanders said that the IS fighters would be defeated. Mohamed Al-Ghasri a spokesperson for BAM said: “This is the end for them. They have no other solutions, so that’s why they are fighting fiercely to stay in Manara.” The IS now controls a strip that is less than a kilometer long. However, weeks ago the final push against the IS was announced. The Sirte offensive so far has killed more than 450 BAM fighters and wounded about 2,500 more.

Somewhat surprisingly, a senior military officer from Misrata was critical of the US airstrikes claiming their aim is to prolong the offensive against the IS in the city. Spokesperson for Misrata Military Council Brigadier Ibrahim Bait Al-Mal said on TV: “The airstrikes were useless and inaccurate and their aim is clear to all, We can go without the US airstrikes from the beginning, but the government wants an endless war with limited airstrikes.” Al-Mal said that the US could through bombing end the battle within 48 hours. While this may be true it would involve horrendous civilian casualties and destruction. The air strikes happen on the order of BAM forces apparently, who do not want a huge number of civilian casulaties. They have themselves decided for pauses in the battle after suffering heavy casualties. Without the airstrikes and the help of a few special forces on the ground from the UK and the US, casualties would probably be much higher and the offensive less advanced. A more common complaint of those on the ground is that the bombings did not come sooner and some have expressed thanks for the support of the bombings and the special forces. Al-Mal provides no evidence that the strikes prolong the offensive. Pointing out that the US could end the offensive sooner does not show that the actual bombing prolonged the offensive.

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.

Islamic State in Libya still resisting in one last district in Sirte

While there have been many announcements of the final battle to liberate Sirte from the remnants of the Islamic State(IS) there are a few IS fighters still holding out in one small area of the city.

Earlier, it had been predicted that the battle would be over before the Eid celebrations. It was not to be. Now that the holiday is over a renewed push to finish the job appears to be taking place. The forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM) are allied with the UN-supported Government of National Accord. The majority of the fighters are with brigades from the city of Misrata. Since August 1st, the BAM forces have been supported by air strikes by the U.S. as part of Operation Odyssey Lightning. The operation was extended for thirty days at the beginning of September. There are also a few special forces from the U.S. and the U.S. is providing logistical and other assistance to the BAM forces.

A Reuters report claims that two were killed in clashes today and six wounded according to a spokesperson from Misrata General Hospital, after the BAM forces shelled areas where the remaining IS fighters are hiding. Mohamed Ghasri a spokesperson for the BAM forces said: "Our forces targeted on Sunday hideouts of Daesh in Neighbourhood No.3's 600 block area and Geza Bahriya with heavy artillery shelling." "Daesh" is an Arabic term for the Islamic State. Ghasri also claimed that two IS commanders, Hassam Karami, and Waldi Ferjani, had been killed during fighting inside Sirte.

A military source told the Libya Prospect, that BAM forces had entered the remaining sections of district 3 in Sirte, calling it the decisive battle against the few IS fighters who remained in the city. The source said that artillery and tanks had begun shelling the area of the 656 residential buildings, Al-Jeeza, Al-Bahrea, 656 houses, and social security district. The source said that the forces had been in a break for the past few days as they prepare a plan.

A report from the Middle East Eye claims that the BAM forces were able to detonate two suicide vehicles before the IS suicide bombers could detonate their vehicles. Reda Issa, a spokesperson for the BAM forces said that field commanders held several meetings before deciding to resume after what was said to be a two-week lull. Issasaid: "Progress is now being achieved and our forces are clashing with Daesh fighters." The BAM forces captured several buildings, including a school that had been made into a car bomb factory, and also a field hospital.

Since the offensive against Sirte began months ago, 450 BAM forces have been killed and about 2,500 wounded. The Misrata hospital, the only one in the region has been overwhelmed as it tries to cope with the casualties. The situation has been one reason the offensive has slowed so there will be less casualties. Fortunately, Italy is setting up a field hospital in Misrata to treat the wounded. There will be about 65 doctors and nurses, 135 logistics staff, and 100 troops to provide security. Work is already underway.

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.

U.S. extends bombing missions in LIbya for another 30 days

Since August 1st, the United States has been carrying out Operation Odyssey Lightning a bombing mission in Libya in support of the offensive against the Islamic State (IS) in Sirte by the forces of the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM).

BAM forces are mainly from Misrata and are loyal to the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA). The operation has been successful in helping the BAM forces defeat the remnants of the IS who remain in Sirte. Very little of Sirte is left to be cleared and the battle should be over within days. In spite of this, President Obama has extended the mission for another entire month, two defense officials told Fox News.

The US has launched more than one hundred missions against the Islamic State in Sirte since the operation began. An AFRICOM spokesperson, Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Falvo, said: "U.S. precision airstrikes have enabled GNA-aligned forces to advance and take key areas of the city from the grasp of the Islamic State." On Monday alone the US Africa Command carried out five strikes against IS positions in Sirte. A recent tweet gives a more updated tally of the strikes: "#Libya : Harrier jets have conducted 124 missions & the Cobra attack helicopters have flown 31 missions in #Sirte."

Obama's decision will keep two U.S. warships off the coast of Libya. One, the USS Wasp, is a large amphibious assault ship said to be loaded with more than 1,000 Marines as well as Harrier jets and Cobra attack helicopters. An escort ship, the destroyer USS Carney is a guided missile destroyer. The destroyer is said to be close enough to Libya to be seen from the shore.

One defense official said he expected U.S. airstrikes to end soon as BAM forces now had control of 90 percent of Sirte. Neither the White House nor the Pentagon have yet officially announced the extension of the mission. It is not clear what the U.S. could bomb after Sirte has been cleared of IS fighters. However, IS units may appear inother areas of Libya. The BAM forces have been helped by small numbers of special forces on the ground from the U.K. and the U.S. Why 1,000 marines remain stationed off shore is not explained. AFRICOM would not speculate as to how long the campaign might continue.

The bombing was initiated at the request of the UN-backed Government of National Accord. Last week, PM of the GNA, Faiez Serraj, went to AFRICOM headquarters in Stuttgart and had talks with Gen. Thomas Waldhauser on counter-terrorism operations. He expressed a "desire for U.S. assistance with future enhanced military capabilities and defense capacity building."

Islamic State cleared from most of Sirte but resistance still fierce

The forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos (Solid Structure or BAM) are engaged in a final advance to clear out the last remaining fighters of the Islamic State (IS) or Daesh from their former stronghold of Sirte.

BAM forces are loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord. BAM's media center said: "Our forces are advancing inside parts of district Number Three where the Daesh remnants are entrenched." The BAM offensive has been backed by U.S. air support since August 1 and there are also small numbers of special forces from the UK and US helping out in the offensive. The IS had occupied Sirte since June of 2015.

The cost of the offensive is high as just on Sunday 38 BAM forces were killed and 185 wounded as they took district one. In yesterday's fighting at least 10 BAM fighters were killed. The Misrata hospital has been overwhelmed by the number of wounded coming from the front. On Sunday, the main reception area was used as an emergency area to treat injured fighters. Doctor Akram Jumaa described Sunday as "blood day": “I carried out dozens of surgeries that lasted until this morning, and some others are still ongoing.” Space is so limited up to five or six fighters are put together in a single room.

There are estimated to about one thousand fighters involved in the offensive. Since the conflict began more than 400 BAM fighters have been killed and almost 2,500 wounded. An Afriqyah Airways plane had its tires vandalized as it was about to take off with wounded BAM fighters. Lax security at the Mitiga airport was blamed for the vandalism.

On Sunday, BAM forces captured the Qurtoba mosque which was controlled by the IS. The IS used a total of 12 booby-trapped cars to halt the BAM advance but many were exploded before they could reach their targets with the help of US airstrikes.

Spokesperson for BAM military operations, Mohammed al-Ghasri said that all clashes are now taking place in residential area three and Jiza, a military sea district north of residential area one and adjacent to residential area three. Al-Ghasri said: “War will come to an end once this battle ended. We’re still investigating the validity of the news that IS militants have their families with them inside the area, where they are trapped."

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.

US bombing strikes reported beyond city of Sirte in Llbya

Apparently, the United States has extended its bombing campaign in Libya which until now has been confined to attacks on the last remaining Islamic State (IS) fighters in the city of Sirte.

The Libya Observer reports on the strikes, claiming that sources from the Municipality of Bani Walid to the east and south of Tripoli confirmed the airstrikes in an area southwest of the city. They claimed that the planes were likely American. Apparently, the bombs hit Wadi Al Makarkan and Saiba where two armed vehicles were found on a desert path. The route is used by the IS to move around.

Sources close to the Presidential Council (PC) of the Government of National Accord claim that PM Faiez Serraj had met with the chief of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Tunisia to discuss expanding airstrikes in Libya Attackson IS positions in Sirte began on August 1.

The U.S. Africa Command is acting on the request of and in coordination with the GNA. On August 22nd the Command reported that it attacked an IS supply truck and ten fighting positions. This brings the total number of strikes since August 1 to 77. The Command said that the strikes will help prevent the IS from having a haven from which to attack the U.S. and its allies.

The U.S. is using the Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra Helicopter on some of the attacks. Last weekend the helicopter gunships were said to be used in nine air strikes. An official said that the IS fighters were now holed up in the densest most built-up part of Sire, and that the helicopter was adept at fighting in such a situation. The Libyan forces on the ground give the helicopter information as to where the enemy is located.

With the help of the U.S. bombing attack and also special forces from the U.S. and U.K. among others on the ground, the forces of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos or BAM, loyal to the GNA, have been able to clear the IS from all but a few remaining areas of Sirte. As BAM advances it is thought that many IS fighters have fled to other parts of Libya or even beyond. Some are said to have gone towards the border with Algeria and Niger where security is lacking. Among the Libyan cities thought to be a risk, according to the Libyan Gazette, is Bani Walid: "Bani Walid, a Libyan city located between Tripoli and Misrata in the country’s southern region, is said to be in a vulnerable state and might be ISIS’s next target." Bani Walid, as Sirte, had -or has- many Gadaffi sympathizers. Even though the IS may lose its last territory in Sirte, it can launch terror attacks from many locations where it has sleeper cells. The bombing attacks near Bani Walid may indicate that the U.S. is going to play a role throughout Libya wherever intelligence shows that IS units are active. This is somewhat similar to the role that the U.S. has been playing for some time in Yemen in relationship to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State in Yemen. As you can see from the appended video, BAM fighters still do not have basic equipment such as helmets.