Forces loyal to Libya's unity government said today they were advancing inside the jihadist stronghold of Sirte, following the first US air strikes on Islamic State group positions in the city.
The IS bastion, located just across the Mediterranean from Europe, has been shaken by weeks of fierce clashes between jihadists and fighters allied to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA).
The city, located 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli, has been controlled by IS since June 2015, and its loss would be a major blow to the jihadists, who have faced a series of setbacks in Syria and Iraq.
IS has transformed the city into a training camp for Libyan and foreign militants, terrifying residents with public amputations and executions.
The pro-GNA forces said Tuesday they had gained full control of Al-Dollar, a central residential district in Sirte, after clashes that killed five of their members and wounded 17.
The announcement came after US aircraft launched five air strikes on Monday against "several targets in Sirte, hitting IS members and vehicles", the GNA forces said in a statement.
The Pentagon said the raids were launched in response to a request from Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of the unity government.
It was unclear whether the strikes had helped the GNA fighters to gain control of Al-Dollar.
IS took advantage of the chaos in Libya after the 2011 ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi to increase its presence in the oil-rich country.
The jihadists have claimed deadly attacks, including beheadings, and targeted foreign embassies.
Sarraj's unity government emerged as the result of a UN-brokered power-sharing deal in December, but it has struggled to assert its authority across Libya.
Mattia Toaldo, a Libya expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the GNA needed air support to retake Sirte from the jihadists.
"Even though they have an air force, it is not comparable to the support they can get from the US," he said.
"Of course, this also has political implications: showing that one has external support in Libya matters," Toaldo said.
But "while Sarraj uses this to strengthen his image... there will be people asking 'Who gave you the authorisation to ask for those strikes?'"
A rival administration based in the country's far east has refused to cede power to Sarraj's government since he sailed into the capital under naval escort in March.
