World
The Petroleum Facilities Guard (P.F.G.), which controls the key oil terminals in eastern Libya, drove out Islamic State fighters from the coastal town of Ben Jawad, about 160km east of the central city of Sirte. In the clashes that broke out on Monday, 4 P.F.G. fighters were killed and 16 others were severely wounded. The campaign against the militants continued in the nearby town of Nawfiliyah.
Islamic State declared its control over Ben Jawad in January and caused heavy damage to the oil terminals of Es Sider and Ras Lanuf in the east, notes Firstpost. The brigades backing the unity government in Libya have stepped up the offensive against the militant group and are advancing to retake the IS stronghold Sirte, which was seized last year.
The P.F.G. comprising 27,000 personnel, was established to safeguard Libya’s oil infrastructure, writes Al Jazeera. The group shows allegiance to the U.N.-brokered unity government, which came into existence at the end of March.
Since 2014, Libya has been facing a political turmoil with two sets of parliaments and governments grappling for power. The political rot in the country has allowed Islamic State to thrive, with over 5,000 fighters in its ranks.
