The Libya Dawn (Fajr Libya) militia alliance has launched airstrikes against the positions of the ISIL Takfiri terrorist group in the northern city of Sirte.

"A Fajr Libya warplane launched several raids on Thursday evening against sites where there were members of the Libyan branch of ISIL," said a local official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The attacks targeted several positions, including an ISIL command base in Sirte, which is located 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of the Libyan capital city of Tripoli, the official added.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the militant group announced that the two sides have been engaged in heavy clashes in the coastal city since Wednesday evening.

ISIL’s presence in Libya

The presence of ISIL Takfiri terrorists in Libya has further complicated the situation in the violence-wracked North African country.

Back in February, the Takfiri terrorists announced their control over Sirte with a parade through the streets of the city.

Reports said that the terrorists brandished the ISIL’s flag and were heavily armed.

Source of conflict

Libya Dawn alliance, which is based in the northwestern city of Misrata, seized Tripoli and most government institutions in August 2014.

The militants have set up a rival parliament and government not recognized by the international community.

Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising against the dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups that refuse to lay down arms.

Battles among the rival militants, who had participated in the anti-Gaddafi uprising, are mainly over the control of oil facilities in eastern Libya.