WASHINGTON: The US military has officially ended operations in a former Daesh bastion in Libya, officials announced.
The Pentagon had launched Operation Odyssey Lightning to help local forces push the militants from the coastal city of Sirte on Aug. 1.
“In partnership with the Libyan Government of National Accord, the operation succeeded in its core objective of enabling GNA-aligned forces to drive Daesh out of Sirte,” the US military’s Africa Command said in a statement.
US drones, gunships and warplanes had hammered Daesh positions, conducting a total of 495 strikes.
“We are proud to have supported this campaign to eliminate ISIL’s hold over the only city it has controlled outside Iraq and Syria,” Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook told reporters.
Officials said the United States would continue to strike Daesh militants if the Libyan unity government asked for help in doing so.
Unity government leader Fayez Al-Sarraj on Saturday announced that military operations in Sirte were done, but Daesh still has fighters in Libya and on Sunday conducted a suicide attack in Benghazi.
The fall of Sirte — Qaddafi’s home town located 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of Tripoli — is a major setback for Daesh, which has also faced military defeats in Syria and Iraq.
Libya descended into chaos following the NATO-backed ousting of former ruler Muammar Qaddafi in 2011, with rival administrations emerging and well-armed militias vying for control of its vast oil wealth.
US ends anti-Daesh operation in Libya’s Sirte
US ends anti-Daesh operation in Libya’s Sirte
Military coalition in Yemen condemns attack on commander’s convoy
- Al-Maliki also said the coalition is committed to supporting Yemeni security efforts and pursuing those involved in the attack and bringing them to justice
RIYADH: The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen condemned on Wednesday an attack that targeted the convoy of a senior commander.
The attack in the Jaoula area of Lahj governorate targeted vehicles under the command of Brigadier General Hamdi Shukri, who heads the second division of the Giants Forces.
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said there were numerous deaths injuries and called the ambush “a criminal act that is contrary to all human and moral values.”
He said the coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia, will continue coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure the security of citizens and maintain stability, Saudi Press Agency reported.
He called for people to work with the Yemeni government and military authorities to confront any sabotage attempts or terrorist operations targeting the security and stability of liberated governorates.
Al-Maliki also said the coalition is committed to supporting Yemeni security efforts and pursuing those involved in the attack and bringing them to justice.
