Libyan Army carries out combing operations on crucial IS sites

Tripoli, Nov 19 : Libyan Army units carried out extensive sweeps in the region known as the "oil crescent" in northen part of Libya to monitor movements of IS members, said an official.

"Patrols of army units are securing desert areas of the oil crescent region, in search of IS fighters," Xinhua news agency quoted an army officer as saying on Saturday.

"These patrols will continue for several days. They are carried out with support of the air force, which launched successful air strikes in the past few days and destroyed IS sites near oil fields and ports."

The officer added "these operations are important, as information indicates that IS militants plan to attack army forces protecting the oil fields and ports".

Forces allied with the UN-backed government, backed by the US air force, defeated IS affiliates in the city of Sirte, some 450 east the capital Tripoli, in December 2016. The remaining terrorists fled to southern valley and mountain areas.