Libya’s Troops Close In On Islamic State

At least 34 Libyan fighters were killed and almost 200 wounded on Sudnay as they closed in on the last Islamic State (IS) holdouts in the coastal city of Sirte, according to field hospital officials in the area. The Libyan brigades, most of them from the city of Misrata, say they are close to victory in Sirte. They are being backed by US jet, drone and helicopter air strikes. The Libyan troops have struggled to defend themselves against IS suicide bombings, sniper fire and landmines. Sirte has been IS’s stronghold in Libya since 2015. The attack on Sirte comes as Islamic State has lost ground in both Iraq and Syria. In Iraq, government forces are gearing up for the battle against Mosul.