Security agencies in western Libyan have detected movements of ISIS militants on the outskirts of Sirte, raising fears that the organization is seeking to re-establish itself in the coastal city amid fighting between armed militias in Tripoli.
Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous operations chamber reported that Sirte security forces went on alert three days ago when ISIS movements were detected 70 kilometers south of the city.
A security source told Asharq Al-Awsat that investigation agencies in the west are chasing ISIS remnants on the outskirts of Sirte and in desert routes, noting that some members of the group, wearing camouflage uniforms, were stopping citizens and asking for their identity cards.
The source associated the emergence of ISIS members in south Sirte areas with the ongoing fight among armed militias in the capital, stressing that the terrorist organization sought to exploit the clashes and the absence of security in the country to re-establish its presence.
Further, ISIS claimed responsibility for last week’s armed attack against Wadi Kaam gate in Tripoli that killed seven security guards and wounded dozens..
Libyan Interior Minister Abdulsalam Ashour stated that the perpetrators - all Libyan nationals – have been arrested.
In the same context, the Secretary-General of the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) in Libya voiced his concerns that political disputes in Tripoli would push terrorist groups such as ISIS to exploit the fragile security system in the capital and conduct terrorist attacks.
Libya, Niger, Sudan and Chad agreed on August 11 to create a joint operation center to strengthen border security and to combat terrorist groups, smuggling, and human trafficking.
