Libyan forces battle Islamic State in Sabratha, three killed

Libyan forces battled to clear Islamic State insurgents from the western city of Sabratha on February 25, in fighting that killed at least three Libyans and one of the militants, officials said.

Islamic State has gained ground rapidly in Libya in the last year, controlling the city of Sirte and attacking oil ports, as it takes advantage of the conflict between the country's two rival governments and their armed factions.

US warplanes hit Islamic State in Sabratha last week, a sign of growing Western engagement against the militant group in Libya as it expands beyond its original territory in Iraq and Syria.

Fighting began in Sabratha on February 23, when militants stormed into the city, beheading 11 local security men before retreating after clashes with local Sabratha brigades. Islamic State is also fighting in Benghazi to the east.

"A military operation has been started to wipe out the militants of Islamic State in Sabratha," Sabratha municipal council major Hussein al-Thwadi told Reuters. "At least three of our fighters have been killed and ten wounded."

A militant commander was captured on February 25, Thwadi said. A would-be Islamic State suicide bomber was also killed, before he could set off his explosives.

Libyan military forces in Benghazi are under the command of General Khalifa Haftar and are loyal to the government based in the eastern city of al-Bayda. A rival armed faction took over the capital, Tripoli, in the west in 2014 and declared itself the government.

Haftar's forces have been advancing against Islamic State in Benghazi, the biggest eastern city, taking back neighborhoods that have been under militant control for months.

Reuters