Islamic State loses ground in Syria and Libya

Photos released by U.S. drones on Friday appeared to show Islamic State militants using civilians as a human shield to flee the Syrian town of Manbij after being defeated by U.S.-backed Arab and Kurdish fighters. The militants were fleeing north, toward Turkey, following weeks of fighting under a barrage of U.S. airstrikes. Tens of thousands of people lived in Manbij before the assault started, but the United Nations says more than 78,000 people have been displaced since then. On Tuesday, forces loyal to the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli liberated one of three districts under ISIS control, moving the extremist group closer to the brink of being kicked out of the coastal city of Sirte. Libyan forces started the campaign to liberate the Mediterranean city — best known as Moammar Gadhafi’s hometown before it fell to ISIS — three months ago.

AFP / Getty Images Fighters from the forces loyal to Libya’s Government of National Unity stand near burning vehicles after an Islamic State suicide bomb attack.