(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff)
The US military shot 14 airstrikes on ISIS targets in Sirte on Wednesday and another 20 on Thursday, said a statement report released on Friday.
Moreover, 27 ISIS positions were targeted with US airstrikes on Tuesday, which original reports mistakenly mentioned 29.
On August 1, the Libyan army received arial assistance from the US military in the form of airstrikes targeting ISIS fighters in Sirte. US airstrikes and aerial surveillance enabled the Libyan brigades to make major advances against the terrorist group.
Liberating Sirte from ISIS will devastate the terrorist group, which is also struggling to hold on to territory under its control in the levant.
For the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), victory against ISIS in Sirte will provide the fledgling government with the credibility it needs to lead the war-torn country to peace, security and stability.
The US Africa Command reports that 430 airstrikes targeting ISIS in Sirte have been launched since the beginning of the airstrike operation.
However, there have also been great losses on the Libyan side. Close to 660 soldiers have been killed and about 3,000 wounded since the offensive against ISIS was launched in May.
A Libyan commander estimated that at least 400 ISIS fighters managed to escape Sirte, raising concerns that the terrorist group might try to establish a new base in Libya or elsewhere in North Africa or even Europe.
