Libya News Updates -- July 29, 2016

Libyan forces allied with the U.N.-backed government fire a 122 MM artillery towards Islamic State fighters positions in Sirte, Libya, July 24, 2016. (Photo: Goran Tomasevic/Reuters)

Euronews: Libya: ISIL-held city of Sirte 'on the verge of being liberated' says military

Libyan families have started to return home to Sirte after months of displacement. Forces aligned with the United Nations-backed government have been fighting street-by-street to liberate the coastal city from ISIL control.

“Our mission is to protect the coastal road and secure the road from Misrata to Sirte as well as to secure the return of families to the liberated areas. We are also searching for vehicles carrying large quantities of (black market) fuel, for fear that they may be smuggling it to ISIL,” said Libyan military official Faraj Salem Ammar.

Several hundred militants are said to remain, but are reported to have been cornered into a small area in the centre of Sirte.

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Libya News Updates -- July 29, 2016

Libyan forces ‘retake’ Benghazi district -- AFP
Libya forces drive militants from area of Benghazi: Report -- Middle East Eye
Haftar forces suffer losses in Libya fighting -- Al Jazeera
Fierce fighting rages in Libya -- Al Jazeera
Tunisia-Libya crossing closed in border takeover bid by Zawia militia -- Libya Herald
Libya's UN-backed council says oil terminals have reopened -- AP
Libya government, oil guards reach deal to reopen ports -- Reuters
Rescued refugees detail abuse in Libya -- Al Jazeera
Nameless dead of the Mediterranean wash up on Libyan shore -- BBC
Refugees in Libya 'traumatized' -- DW