15 killed in violent clashes in Libya

Over 15 people were killed and 10 others injured in violent clashes on Saturday between forces of the General National Congress (GNC) and the Islamic State (IS) affiliates in Libya's western city of Sirte, according to a military source.

"The clashes are still going on. The IS insurgents suffered heavy losses," General Mohamed al-Ajtal, commander of the joint operations of the GNC forces, told Xinhua.

"The clashes were heavy in the areas of al-Thahir and Hrawa. Our troops destroyed a number of IS military vehicles, killing 15 and wounding five others," a military source of the GNC's 166 Infantry Battalion said.

The GNC forces, which consisted of Islamist armed groups, have recently been attempting to gain control of Sirte, a city 450 km east of the capital Tripoli.

Libya has witnessed a drastic escalation of violence after the 2011 turmoil which toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The Islamist militants and pro-secular militia have been vying for cities and towns for months, making a security havoc in the north African country.