Sirte / AFP Libyan pro-government forces battled to retake territory in the IS group stronghold Sirte on Wednesday, but faced fierce resistance from extremist snipers and mines. Fighters allied to Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), supported by US air strikes, are trying to retake the coastal city — hometown of slain dictator Moamer Kadhafi — from IS …

  Kano / AFP Boko Haram’s elusive leader Abubakar Shekau broke his silence on Thursday to insist he was “still around” following reports IS had replaced him, but his message fuelled talk of a split within the extremist group. For months, speculation has been rife over the fate of Shekau, who has led the Nigeria-based rebel group since 2009 but …

  Herat / AFP Taliban militants attacked a group of 12 American and European tourists escorted by an Afghan army convoy in western Herat province on Thursday, leaving at least seven people wounded as the insurgents step up nationwide attacks. The tourists — eight British, three Americans and one German national — were ambushed by Taliban gunmen in the restive …