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:

December 5, 2016

• Three enemy fighting positions
• 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 495.

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.

Update from AFRICOM on December 20th:

AFRICOM concludes Operation Odyssey Lightning

The United States Africa Command concluded Operation Odyssey Lightning Dec. 19, following an announcement from the Libyan government of the end of offensive military operations in Sirte.

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 by conducting 495 precision airstrikes against Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices, heavy guns, tanks, command and control centers and fighting positions.

The United States remains committed to working with the GNA, the Libyan people and partners in the region to counter the evolving threat of Daesh and other violent extremist organizations.

Additional US unilateral strikes against Al Qaeda and ISIS

The Pentagon declared a small number of unilateral airstrikes against so-called Islamic State between November 2015 and February 2016, which preceded the formal invitation from Libya’s GNA.