1 | BENGHAZI, LIBYA: Islamic State has executed four people in the central Libyan city of Sirte, including at least one member of a rival group whose body was put on display, according to residents and a video published on social media on Monday. |
2 | A video released by the militant group showed a gunmen shooting a man, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, who was tied to a makeshift cross. |
3 | His body was left there afterward as a warning to others. |
4 | The man was identified as an alleged spy for Libya Dawn, an armed group backing a non-recognised government in Tripoli, which has flown air strikes against Islamic State in Sirte. |
5 | The video's authenticity could not be verified by Reuters. |
6 | Sirte residents, asking not to be named, said Islamic State had executed a total of four people, which all had been wearing orange jumpsuits. |
7 | They had no information on their identity. |
8 | Sirte is a stronghold of Islamic State, which has gained a foothold in Libya by exploiting a security vacuum as two rival governments are battling for control four years after the ousting of former leader Muammar Gaddafi. |
9 | The executions come after Islamic State fighters crushed a revolt by a Salafist Muslim group and armed residents in Sirte earlier this month, trying to break its grip on the city, located some 500 km (310 miles) to the east of Tripoli. |
10 | Islamic State has been trying to retake the eastern city of Derna from where another rival group evicted the group with the help of residents in June. |
11 | But armed residents repulsed another assault on Sunday, residents said. |
12 | There was no fighting on Monday. |
13 | Libya's official government has been based in the east since losing the capital a year ago to Libya Dawn, which set up its own government. |
14 | Neither administration controls much territory. |
15 | Islamic State has executed four people in the central Libyan city of Sirte, including at least one member of a rival group whose body was put on display, according to residents and a video published on social media on Monday. |