LIBYA'S BATTLE FOR SIRTE

摘要

Despite critical shortages of aircraft, spares and manpower, the cash-strapped Libya Dawn Air Force (LDAF), the 'new' Libyan air arm, held the line during initial efforts to rid the city of Sirte from insurgents of the so- called Islamic State (IS) this summer. INSURGENTS OF THE so-called Islamic State (IS) have been a presence in the Libyan city of Sirte since February 2015. After the fall of the town of Nofaliya, 140km (87 miles) from Sirte, on February 8, IS militants took control of the Libyan Coastal Highway, and Sirte fell into their hands on February 16. On March 14 violent fighting took place between Libya Shield militia and IS militants after the Tripoll-based New General National Congress - one of two rival governments in Libya - called for the city's recapture. Ghardabiya air base, close to Sirte, was captured by IS fighters two weeks later.