(MENAFN) Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government said Monday they had seized full control of Sirte from the Islamic State group, in a major blow to the militants who battled for months to retain their bastion.
In detail, the battle for the coastal city, which was the last significant territory held by IS in Libya, cost the lives of hundreds of loyalist troops as well as an unknown number of IS fighters.
"Our forces have total control of Sirte," Reda Issa, a spokesman for pro-government forces, told AFP. "Our forces saw Daesh (IS) totally collapse."
However, reports from MEE sources inside Sirte said IS still controlled a small number of houses. Libyan troops have said they have liberated Sirte on several occasions over the last few months.
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