The military victory leaves IS without control of any territory. However, soon after news of Sirte’s liberation, clashes were reported at Ben Jawad, farther east, near Ras Lanuf and other oil ports.
Some reports said Ben Jawad had been seized by gunmen, whose identity was not known.
The recapture of Sirte, which was backed by US air strikes, opens the way for Libyan oil production and exports to be increased, but the continuing fighting at Ben Jawad and rivalry between Tripoli and a parallel government based in the east may slow down any recovery.
