U.S. Launches Air Strikes Against Islamic State Militants In Libya

Smoke rises following an air strike as Libyan forces allied with the U.N.-backed government gather after they captured a new area from Islamic State militants in Sirte, Libya, October 16, 2016. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny

Reuters: U.S. air strikes pound Libya's Sirte to oust Islamic State militants

U.S. aircraft hit Islamic State targets with more 30 strikes over the last three days on the Libyan city of Sirte as pro-government forces push into its last militant-held districts, the U.S. military said on Monday.

Libyan forces are close to ending a six-month campaign to liberate Sirte from Islamic State, which took over the city more than a year after taking advantage of factional infighting that emerged after the fall of strongman Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Forces mostly from nearby Misrata city are pushing ahead street by street, facing snipers and suicide bombers. They are helped by U.S. air strikes since August and coordination with small teams of Western special forces on the ground.

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Update: US Conducts 36 Airstrikes Against Daesh Over Three Days in Libya (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: If I was living in Libya, I would probably be feeling the same way .... War-weary Libyans miss life under Kadhafi (AFP).