Sirte: The Libyan army freed 13 foreigners from the hands of the Islamic State

Forces loyal to the Libyan unity government today freed 13 foreigners held hostage in Sirte by members of the self-proclaimed Islamic State.

One Turkish citizen, one Egyptian and 11 women from Eritrea, who were "believed to have been held hostage by IS fighters", were released, according to a statement by the Libyan forces, as reported by the AFP agency.

Forces loyal to the Libyan government are battling the last remaining jihadists in Sirte, who were mostly driven out of the city after an offensive launched in May.