Even in recent days, Libyan militia commanders have declared that there were no Western boots on the ground and that this was their fight alone. The pro-government forces in Sirte are mostly militia fighters from the city of Misurata, about 150 miles by road to the northwest. Libyan militia officials say the arrival of the Americans and the British near the frontline is in preparation for a significant push into Islamic State territory. The wounded included several top frontline commanders, Libyan militia sources said. Previously, US troops were focused on holding talks with an array of militia factions to identify potential partners and gathering information about the situation on the ground, including the threat from the Islamic State.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 10, 2016 00:22 UTC