The United Nations-backed Libyan government announces that the US military has begun conducting airstrikes against the Islamic State group at the government’s request.
Fayez Serraj, the head of the UN-brokered presidency council, says in a televised statement Monday that American warplanes attacked the IS bastion of Sirte, adding that no US ground forces will be deployed.
“The presidency council, as the general army commander, has made a request for direct US support to carry out specific airstrikes,” he says. “The first strikes started today in positions in Sirte, causing major casualties.”
The strikes mark the start of a more intense American role in the fight against IS in Libya, as the US steps in to assist the fragile, UN-backed government there.
— AP
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