By Saber Ayyub.
Tunis, 03 December 2015:
The Islamic State (IS) organization in the Libyan coastal city of Sirte has invited residents of . . .[restrict]the city through its local radio station to attend the celebration of the graduation of 85 kids in a ceremony Friday.
The youngsters, the oldest of whom are reported to be 16 years old and described in the IS statement as the “Caliphate Cubs”, are said to be trained in the suicide attacks, arms shooting and booby-trapping.
IS also announced the event through social media posting pictures of some children wearing army uniforms and walking about dressed as soldiers.
Meanwhile, Sirte news agency has reported that a medium-size ship docked at the city’s port yesterday and unloaded a shipment which contained a considerable number of foreign fighters and weapons.
A source close to the agency has reported that some Palestinians were among the foreign nationalities. It is thought that this is the first time that Palestinians are suspected of being amongst the IS nationalities arriving in Libya.
Many reports have surfaced recently reporting an “exodus” of IS fighters from Syria and Iraq fearing of the increased airstrike by the international coalition and have chosen Libya as a new haven zone and base for their activities.
It is believed that Sirte has now became the largest IS base in the whole North Africa with media reports putting their numbers in excess of 2000 made up of from different nationalities.
Meanwhile, the number of locals in Sirte has decreased sharply due to fear as many have escaped the town. Those still in the city are believed to be unable to leave and held hostage by there is captures.
Communication with fearful residents of the city is difficult and it has been difficult obtaining independent news about it.
However, one news agency, Sirte News Agency, is somehow still active in the city communicating undetected through social media. [/restrict]
