Libyan forces on Monday took control of the final cluster of buildings where Islamic State militants were holding out in their former North African stronghold of Sirte.
The forces are also securing the area, its spokesman, Rida Issa, has said.
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) took over Sirte in early 2015, setting up its most important base outside the Middle East and extending its control along about 250 km of Mediterranean coastline.
The Libyan forces, led by brigades from the western city of Misrata, launched counter-attack against the jihadist group in May.
Since Aug. 1 the U.S. have carried out not less than 470 air strikes against the Jihadist to support the Libyan forces.
Issa told newsmen that forces led by brigades from Misrata and backed by U.S. air strikes “now control Sirte’s entire Ghiza Bahriya neighbourhood and are still securing the area.”
His statement could not immediately be verified and there was no official announcement that Sirte had been taken.
“Earlier on Monday, over a dozen Islamic State fighters clinging on in a few dozen buildings in the Ghiza Bahriya district had surrendered to Libyan forces.
“No fewer than three women had left militant-held ground,’’ officials said.
In recent days, Libyan forces said dozens of women and children have left the last group of buildings controlled by the militants.
The presence of the families has been one of the factors complicating attempts to push forward into the final sliver of land held by Islamic State.
Several women carried out suicide attacks as they were being granted safe passage. NAN
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