WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2015 — The U.S. military conducted an airstrike in Libya yesterday against an Iraqi national who was a longtime al-Qaida operative and the senior Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant leader in Libya, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said today.

In a statement, Cook said the strike targeted Abu Nabil, also known as Wissam Najm Abd Zayd al Zubaydi. Reporting suggests Nabil may have been the spokesman in ISIL’s February Coptic Christian execution video, the press secretary added.

“Nabil’s death will degrade ISIL’s ability to meet the group’s objectives in Libya,” he said, “including recruiting new ISIL members, establishing bases in Libya, and planning external attacks on the United States.”

While this was not the first U.S. strike against terrorists in Libya, this is the first U.S. strike against an ISIL leader in Libya, and it demonstrates that the United States will go after ISIL leaders wherever they operate, Cook said.

The press secretary added that this operation was authorized and initiated before the terrorist attack in Paris took place.

Additional statement:

December 7th 2015: The Department of Defense has confirmed that Abu Nabil, aka Wissam Najm Abd Zayd al Zubaydi, an Iraqi national who was a longtime al Qaeda operative and the senior ISIL leader in Libya, is dead as a result of a U.S. military airstrike in Libya undertaken on Nov. 13.

While not the first U.S. strike against terrorists in Libya, this was the first U.S. strike against an ISIL leader in Libya and it demonstrates we will go after ISIL leaders wherever they operate.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

November 10, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• One vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions

November 11, 2016

• One vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
• One vehicle-borne improvised explosive device

November 12, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Five enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions

November 13, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions

November 15, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 391.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

November 8, 2016

• Nine enemy fighting positions

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 368.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 31, 2016

• Five enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• One vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Five enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One armament storage facility
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• One vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
• One command and control facility
• One command and control facility

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 367.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

* 3 airstrikes from Oct 31st were previously reported in Oct 27th – 31st release

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

There were no strikes from the period of Oct. 27-30.

October 31, 2016

• Five enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position

Information is still being compiled for Oct. 31 and complete numbers will be provided tomorrow, as per our usual news release schedule.

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 356.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 26, 2016

• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 351.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 2, 2016

• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 346.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 24, 2016

• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 341.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 21, 2016

• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• One Daesh vehicle
• One Daesh vehicle

October 22, 2016

• One enemy fighting position

October 23, 2016

• One enemy fighting position

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 337.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 18, 2016

• One enemy fighting position
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 330.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

Press release from AFRICOM on Oct 21st:

MEDITERRANEAN SEA – As part of normal U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations to maintain a continued naval presence around the globe, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) and the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) recently began a planned relief in place in the Mediterranean Sea.

USS San Antonio, a part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), is now on station to support Operation Odyssey Lightning off the northern coast of Libya.

USS San Antonio (LPD 17) is the first ship of the San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship (LPD). Her Sailors and Marines will continue the mission of providing support to Government of National Accord-aligned forces fighting to retake Sirte from the grasp of Daesh while maintaining all organic capabilities of the LPD-class ship.

Since Aug. 1, the combined campaign has leveraged GNA ground movements with U.S. air power to apply pressure throughout the offensive against Daesh. The airstrikes have significantly reduced Daesh’s ability to utilize heavy weapons and enemy fighting positions, as well as having reduced the number of vehicle-born improvised explosive devices intended for attacks on GNA-aligned forces.

At the request of the GNA, U.S. assets will continue to provide precision airstrikes to the GNA-aligned forces as they maneuver through difficult urban terrain to take over structures inhabited by Daesh and used to launch attacks on friendly forces.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 17, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 325.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 14, 2016

• One enemy fighting position
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Eight enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions and one command and control facility
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• Six enemy fighting positions

October 15, 2016

• Seven enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Six enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position

October 16, 2016

• One enemy fighting position
• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
• Six enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 324.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 13, 2016

• Three enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Three enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 288.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 12, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• One Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Six enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Three enemy fighting positions

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 280.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 11, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• Eight enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 270.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.

At the request of, and in coordination with, the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted precision air strikes against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya. As a result, the following target was struck by U.S. forces:

October 7, 2016

• One enemy fighting position
• Daesh resupply point
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Six enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position

October 8, 2016

• Eight enemy fighting positions
• Eight enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Five enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Four enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• Eight enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Nine enemy fighting positions
• Five enemy fighting positions
• One command and control facility and resupply point
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Nine enemy fighting positions

October 9, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Six enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• One enemy fighting position
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Five enemy fighting positions

October 10, 2016

• Five enemy fighting positions
• Ten enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 261.

The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya.

These actions, and those we have taken previously, will help deny Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States and our allies.