Libyan forces press forward against Daesh

misrata (Libya) — Libyan forces said they pushed forward on Tuesday into the last sliver of territory held by Daesh in its former North African stronghold of Sirte, seizing a number of barricaded houses.

Hours before the push, the forces published video online showing one of their fighters shouting out messages through a loud hailer urging women and children to leave the area and promising them safe passage.

Backed by US air strikes, brigades dominated by fighters from the city of Misrata have been edging forward against militants trapped in an area a few hundred metres wide next to Sirte’s Mediterranean coast.

“The Daesh gangs are trying desperately to resist up until their last breath,” said Rida Issa, a spokesman for the forces.

Their six-month campaign has slowed as they have got closer to fully recapturing Sirte, with militants using sniper positions, sand-filled barricades and tunnels to defend their positions against shelling and air strikes.

The Misrata-led forces said there were more than 30 militants among the dead since fighting resumed on Monday. Fourteen militants had been arrested, field commander Mohamed Al Sebti said.

Eight men from the Misrataled forces were killed, according to a field hospital casualty list.

They published video footage of one of their fighters on a rooftop overlooking the area, shouting out: “All women and children leave now if you want to live, don’t miss this chance.”

“Let them go now, there is safe passage, the battle is over,” he adds, addressing the militants.