(Bloomberg) -- Forces loyal to eastern-based Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar said they had seized the coastal city of Sirte, in a setback for the embattled internationally recognized government.
The capture of Sirte could have symbolic and strategic value for Haftar's Libyan National Army, the country's most organized military force. In April, it launched an offensive to take the capital, Tripoli, but became bogged down in heavy fighting in the city's suburbs.
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Sirte, which was the base for Islamic State's affiliate in Libya before it was largely defeated, might serve as a springboard to nearby Misrata, whose powerful militias are assisting United Nations-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj in defending the capital.
Securing the city also helps solidify Haftar's control over OPEC member Libya's central oil-rich regions.
Ahmed al-Mismari, Haftar's spokesman, announced the development from the eastern city of Benghazi. He said that the aim of the operation was to “cleanse Sirte” of terrorists, adding the LNA didn't intend to target the people of Misrata.
Libya's al-Hadath TV had earlier reported that the LNA were in control of Sirte's port area, as well as most of the city's districts and an air base.
Libya's war has morphed into a proxy conflict between regional powers, with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russian mercenaries backing Haftar while Sarraj is getting help from Turkey.
--With assistance from Abeer Abu Omar.
To contact the reporters on this story: Hatem Mohareb in Cairo at hmohareb@bloomberg.net;Mohammed Abdusamee in Cairo at mabdusamee@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tarek El-Tablawy at teltablawy@bloomberg.net, Mark Williams
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