Libya’s Islamic State affiliate took control of a civilian air base in the central city of Sirte, a militia spokesman and an IS statement said, in the latest gains by the extremist group exploiting Libya’s lingering chaos.
The takeover of the al-Qardabiya air base occurred when a militia dispatched to battle the Islamic militants, who already control of much of Sirte, withdrew.
According to Mohammed al-<g data-gr-id="16">Shamia</g>, spokesman for the so-called 166 Battalion militia, his force retreated after calls for reinforcements from Tripoli went unheeded.
Nearly four years after the ouster of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Libya is consumed by chaos.
The country’s elected parliament and government were forced to relocate outside the capital to the far eastern cities of Tobruk and Bayda after militias linked to Islamist factions took over Tripoli last year. The 166 Battalion militia answers to the umbrella group of Islamist-linked militias that control the capital, Tripoli.