The Libya Herald has reported that supporters of the Islamic State claim to have taken over the small town of Nawfaliya, some 30 kilometres west of Ben Jawad.

Ben Jawad is currently being used by Libya Dawn's Operation Sunrise forces as their base in the offensive to take Sidra oil terminal.

The newspaper reports that a video posted on social media and to have been filmed yesterday shows a convoy of some 40 vehicles driving with some displaying the black IS flag along the main street of the bleak desert town, which lies some 10 kilometres south of the main coast road.

They are reported to still be there today, demanding that the residents "repent" on non-Islamic practices and pledge allegiance to the Islamic State, its "Caliph", Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and his "emir" in the town, named as one Ali Al-Qarqaa.

The group, which is alleged to include some foreigners, is said to have come from Sirte, itself now reported to have a significant IS presence.

To have managed to travel the 140 kilometres between Sirte and Nawfaliya would have been almost impossible without the knowledge of Operation Sunrise forces. Although they and Libya Dawn have until now disputed the presence of any IS forces in the country, it was reported that there was a clash yesterday between Sunrise and IS in which as many as five Misratans fighting with Sunrise died.