© Associated Press / Manu BraboAftermath of NATO bombing raids, Sirte, Libya
"This...brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 324," the release stated on Monday. On Friday, US forces conducted 24 airstrikes, hitting 62 Daesh fighting positions and a command and control facility, the release said.
Five strikes on Saturday hit 18 terrorists' fighting positions, while seven strikes on Sunday hit 11 Daesh positions and a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, the release added.
Africa Command said the airstrikes, conducted in support of Libya's Government of National Accord, will help deny the Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States.
The Daesh gained a foothold in Libya in the turmoil following the 2011 ouster of the country's longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The Islamic State, known in Arabic as Daesh, is outlawed in the United States, Russia and other countries.
Reader Comments
the President authorized air strikes for 30 days Aug 2 and again for another 30 days Sept but have seen no reference to continued approval after the end date Oct 2 yet we are still bombing. Please clarify. Will we be bombing after Nov 8? Traditionally the old occupant of the White House does not undertake actions leading to defacto decisions in the new administration.
I for one would like to see Congress actually act on bombing approval for the world to see. Overtly, decisively, unequivocally.