(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff)
A picture taken by Libyan forces showing body of Lokmane Abou Sakhr, also known as Khaled al-Shayab
The media bureau for Operation Strong Foundation (Albinyan Almarsous) said on Saturday that top ISIS commander Lokmane Abou Sakhr, born as Khaled al-Shayab, had been killed by Libyan soldiers in the battle against ISIS forces in Al-Baghla.
Sakhr, who is Algerian, was appointed as Emir of the Al Qaeda-linked Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade in Tunisia.
The group, who have reportedly pledged their support to ISIS, were blamed for the March 18, 2015 attack on Bardo national Museum in Tunisia, which left 19 foreign tourists dead and a Tunisian policeman.
The military said that official Libyan sources were able to identify his body, which was a surprise to officials since Sakhr had already been pronounced “dead” by Tunisian officials on March 28, 2015.
Libyan troops took full control of the Al-Baghla checkpoint on Wednesday and have blocked the road that connects it to ISIS held Sirte. The Libyan army announced that their forces are positioned in key locations around Sirte and are ready for combat.
