CAIRO – A Libyan armed group has claimed victory over Italian-backed militias paid to staunch the flow of migrants to Europe from the coastal city of Sabratha.
The Anti-ISIS Operations Room, created last year to clear Sabratha of Islamic State militants, said in a statement that they have taken control of the city from the Martyr Anas al-Dabashi and Brigade 48 militias after a weeks-long battle.
Over the summer, Italy began funneling resources to the two militias after they agreed to stop facilitating the flow of migrant boats and start blocking them instead.
All factions are nominally under the control of the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord, which hailed the developments as "positive."
Libya has plunged into chaos since a 2011 uprising that toppled and later killed longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi.
Antisemitism Exposed
Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world."
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.