TRIPOLI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Remaining Islamic State (IS) fighters are preparing to regroup in the south of the Libyan city Sirte, in an attempt to launch new attacks against security forces in the organization's former stronghold, military personnel said on Saturday.
"Following their defeat last year, the remaining IS fighters are gathering in the south of the city, with the aim of launching attacks against military forces in the area," a military personnel of Sirte's security chamber, whose name is unpublicized, told Xinhua.
"Initial information indicates that dozens of armed vehicles belonging to the group are moving continuously in southern Sirte," he said, adding that more attention should be paid towards any possible IS attack, and that the organization should not be underestimated despite their defeat last year.
In December 2015, forces allied with the UN-backed Libyan government defeated the IS affiliates and expelled them from Sirte, some 450 km east to the capital Tripoli. The remnant IS fighters fled to the southern valleys and mountainous areas ever since.
The terrorists have from time to time, set up mobile checkpoints on the road leading to southern cities and have been scrutinizing passing civilian cars in search of soldiers or security personnel to kidnap, according to reports.
