IS suicide bombers kill at least 1 Libyan troop in Sirte

PanARMENIAN.Net - Islamic State suicide bombers using an ambulance and two other vehicles targeted Libyan forces in the coastal city of Sirte on Sunday, killing at least one of them, a spokesman for militias loyal to Libya's UN-brokered government said, according to the Associated Press.

IS took over Sirte last year, exploiting Libya's turmoil to gain a foothold in the oil-rich country. The fight to retake it is being led by militias from the western city of Misrata, which advanced into the city last week.

Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Ghasri said Sunday's attack "infiltrated our siege" on the insurgents' main stronghold in the country and targeted supply lines and medical units. At least one paramedic was killed and a dozen troops were wounded, he said.

"They aimed to shake our ranks, to force us to retreat, but we remain steadfast," al-Ghasri said. "We are determined to finish the job before the end of the holy month of Ramadan," which began June 6, AP says.

Earlier, he said the IS militants had barricaded themselves in a densely built-up area in the city center, with their snipers taking positions on rooftops waiting for the militiamen to advance. The militias have been shelling the area with artillery.

Some militants reportedly shaved off their beards to escape Sirte when the Misrata militiamen began advancing on the coastal city in tanks and pickup trucks mounted with machine guns.

At the city's main roundabout, the militiamen last week dismantled the metal frame of what some Sirte residents had dubbed the "stage of horror" — a podium used by IS for public beheadings during its yearlong reign over the city.