Alwaght-Security forces in Libya have killed seven suspected ISIS terrorists in a raid on a militant hideout Wednesday.
Local brigades have been battling terrorists in the western Libyan city of Sabratha since they briefly overran the city center last week and beheaded more than 10 brigade members.
Sabratha is one of several Libyan cities in which militants loyal to ISIS have established a presence, taking advantage of the political chaos that has plagued Libya since Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in an uprising five years ago.
A spokesman for Sabratha's military council, Sabri Kshada, said Wednesday's raid took place about 20 km (12 miles) south of the city.
"Our forces were confronted by the militants and there was an exchange of fire," he said.
Three suspects escaped during the operation, and a Syrian fighter and a female Tunisian militant with a three-year-old son were detained, Kshada said.
Earlier, Kshada said that 46 members of local brigades had been killed in clashes with militants since last week. He could not give a toll for the militants, but said a "great number" had died.
The situation in the city was largely calm, he said, with state offices expected to reopen in the next few days.
Also Wednesday, military forces in the eastern city of Benghazi said four troops had been killed in clashes with militants near the university.
Colonel Abdullah al-Shaafi said troops had advanced during fierce fighting in the Garyounis neighborhood, south-west of the city center.
A medical source said at least five people died and nine were wounded.
Military forces loyal to Libya's eastern government have made major gains over the past 10 days in Benghazi, where they have long been fighting terrorists and other armed groups in the city's streets.
Libya plunged into conflict soon after the uprising that toppled Dictator Muammar Gaddafi five years ago. Since 2014, the North African state has had two competing governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in the east, both of which are backed by loose alliances of militants.
Amid the chaos, ISIS Takfiri terrorists have gradually extended their presence, taking over the city of Sirte while wreaking havoc in the capital, Tripoli. ISIS terrorist group members are reportedly relocating to Libya following the success of intensified Russian airstrikes in Syria and progress made by Iraqi forces against the Takfiri group in the country.
