In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. Africa Command conducted a precision airstrike near Bani Walid, Libya, on August 28, killing one (1) ISIS-Libya terrorist.

At this time, we assess no civilians were injured or killed in this strike.

The United States will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt, and destroy terrorist organizations and bring stability to the region. We are committed to maintaining pressure on the terror network and preventing terrorists from establishing safe haven.

In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike against al-Qa’ ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) approximately 50 miles southeast of Bani Walid, Libya, killing one (1) terrorist, on June 13, 2018.

AFRICOM is still assessing the results of this strike. The purpose of this operation was to disrupt AQIM and deny freedom of action.

This is the second U.S. strike against AQIM in Libya. The first on March 24, 2018, resulted in the death of Musa Abu Dawud, a high-ranking AQIM official.

No civilians were killed in this strike.

The United States will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt, and destroy terrorist organizations and support stability in the region.  We are committed to maintaining pressure on the terrorist network and preventing terrorists from establishing safe haven.

In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike near Bani Walid, Libya, on June 6, killing four (4) ISIS-Libya militants.

At this time, we assess no civilians were killed in this strike.

The United States will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt, and destroy terrorist organizations and bring stability to the region. We are committed to maintaining pressure on the terror network and preventing terrorists from establishing safe haven.

Additional statement:

In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike near Bani Walid, Libya, on June 6, killing four (4) ISIS-Libya militants, as previously released.

Following reports alleging civilian casualties resulting from this operation, U.S. Africa Command performed a thorough review and determined the allegations of civilian casualties to be not credible.

As with any allegation of civilian casualties, U.S. Africa Command reviewed all available relevant information concerning the incident.

The command complies with the law of armed conflict and takes all feasible precautions to minimize civilian casualties and other collateral damage.

In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike near Ubari, Libya, on March 24, killing two al-Qa’ida terrorists, including Musa Abu Dawud, a high ranking al-Qa’ida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) official.

Dawud trained AQIM recruits in Libya for attack operations in the region. He provided critical logistics support, funding and weapons to AQIM, enabling the terrorist group to threaten and attack U.S. and Western interests in the region.

U.S. Africa Command initially disclosed this strike on March 24. Now that operational reporting and the battle damage assessment is fully complete, the command is able to confirm the death of Dawud.

At this time, we assess no civilians were killed in this strike.

Counterterrorism operations in Libya are conducted in accordance with U.S. and international law. This strike was conducted under authority provided by Congress in the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force and in coordination with the GNA.

Al-Qa’ida and other terrorist groups, such as ISIS, have taken advantage of under-governed spaces in Libya to establish sanctuaries for plotting, inspiring, and directing terror attacks; recruiting and facilitating the movement of foreign terrorist fighters; and raising and moving funds to support their operations. Left unaddressed, these organizations could continue to inflict casualties on the civilian populations and security forces, and plot attacks against U.S. citizens and allied interests in the region.

In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike on Friday, Jan. 23 against ISIS near Fuqaha in central Libya, destroying two vehicles.

As part of our continued cooperation, in coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted two precision airstrike in Libya against ISIS militants on Nov. 17 and Nov. 19.

The first strike occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. local Libya time, Nov. 17, and the second separate strike occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. local Libya time, Nov. 19. Both strikes occurred near Fuqaha.

The United States stands by our Libyan counterparts efforts to counter terror threats and defeat ISIS in Libya. We are committed to maintaining pressure on the terror network and preventing them from establishing safe haven.

The United States will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt, and destroy terrorist organizations and bring stability to the region.

As part of our continued cooperation, in coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted two precision airstrike in Libya against ISIS militants on Nov. 17 and Nov. 19.

The first strike occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. local Libya time, Nov. 17, and the second separate strike occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. local Libya time, Nov. 19. Both strikes occurred near Fuqaha.

The United States stands by our Libyan counterparts efforts to counter terror threats and defeat ISIS in Libya. We are committed to maintaining pressure on the terror network and preventing them from establishing safe haven.

The United States will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt, and destroy terrorist organizations and bring stability to the region.

In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike in Libya killing a small number of ISIS militants on Wednesday, Oct. 18. The strike occurred in the Wasdi al Shatii district of Libya.

In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike in Libya killing a small number of ISIS militants on Monday, Oct. 9. The strike occurred approximately 250 miles south of Sirte.

In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike in Libya killing a small number of ISIS militants on Friday, Sept. 29. The strike occurred approximately 100 miles southwest of Sirte.

In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. forces conducted two precision airstrikes in Libya against ISIS militants on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at approximately 2:50 p.m. local time, killing several ISIS militants.

The strike occurred approximately 100 miles southeast of Sirte.

ISIS and al-Qaeda have taken advantage of ungoverned spaces in Libya to establish sanctuaries for plotting, inspiring, and directing terror attacks; recruiting and facilitating the movement of foreign terrorist fighters; and raising and moving funds to support their operations.

The United States stands by our Libyan counterparts and supports their efforts to counter terror threats and defeat ISIS in Libya. We are committed to maintaining pressure on the terror network and preventing them from establishing safe haven.

The United States will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt, and destroy terrorist organizations and bring stability to the region.

In coordination with Libya’s Government of National Accord and aligned forces, U.S. forces conducted six precision airstrikes in Libya against an ISIS desert camp on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7:06 p.m. local time, killing 17 ISIS militants and destroying three (3) vehicles.

The camp was located approximately 150 miles southeast of Sirte.

The camp was used by ISIS to move fighters in and out of the country; stockpile weapons and equipment; and to plot and conduct attacks.

ISIS and al-Qaeda have taken advantage of ungoverned spaces in Libya to establish sanctuaries for plotting, inspiring and directing terror attacks; recruiting and facilitating the movement of foreign terrorist fighters; and raising and moving funds to support their operations. These terrorists have sought safe haven and freedom of movement in Libya to launch external terror attacks in neighboring countries, and their operatives in Libya have also been connected to multiple attacks across Europe.

Prime Minister Sarraj, the GNA, and their aligned forces have been stalwart and valued partners against terrorism. While Libya has made considerable progress against ISIS, most notable by dislodging ISIS fighters from Sirte last year, the terrorists have tried to take advantage of political instability there to create safe havens in parts of the country. Left unaddressed, this would allow for this violent terrorist organization to inspire attacks against America, our allies and American interests around the world.

The United States will track and hunt these terrorists, degrade their capabilities and disrupt their planning and operations by all appropriate, lawful, and proportional means, including precision strikes against their forces, terror training camps and lines of communication, as well as partnering with Libyan forces to deny safe havens for terrorists in Libya.

The United States stands by our Libyan counterparts and supports their efforts to counter terror threats and defeat ISIS in Libya. We are committed to maintaining pressure on the terror network and preventing them from establishing safe haven.

In conjunction with the Libyan Government of National Accord, the U.S. military conducted precision airstrikes Wednesday night destroying two ISIL camps 45 kilometers southwest of Sirte. The ISIL terrorists targeted included individuals who fled to the remote desert camps from Sirte in order to reorganize, and they posed a security threat to Libya, the region, and U.S. national interests. While we are still evaluating the results of the strikes, the initial assessment indicates they were successful.

This action was authorized by the President as an extension of the successful operation the U.S. military conducted last year to support Libyan forces in freeing Sirte from ISIL control. The United States remains prepared to further support Libyan efforts to counter terrorist threats and to defeat ISIL in Libya. We are committed to maintaining pressure on ISIL and preventing them from establishing safe haven. These strikes will degrade ISIL’s ability to stage attacks against Libyan forces and civilians working to stabilize Sirte, and demonstrate our resolve in countering the threat posed by ISIL to Libya, 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:

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.

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 2, 2016

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

December 3, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• 15 enemy fighting positions

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 492.

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:

December 1, 2016

• 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 470.

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 30, 2016

• Five enemy fighting positions
• Five 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 467.

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

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 29, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two 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 464.

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 2, 2016

• Three enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two 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 460.

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 25, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions

November 26, 2016

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

November 27, 2016

• Six enemy fighting positions
• Five enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions

This airstrike brings the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 455.

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 22, 2016

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

November 23, 2016

• [Correction to report data released Nov. 23.]
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions

November 24, 2016

• Four enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Four 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 430.

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 22, 2016

• Six enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Three enemy fighting positions
• Five enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two 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 420.

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.

* See November 22nd – 24th release (below) for amended number of strikes on November 22nd.

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 21, 2016

• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Five enemy fighting positions
• Nine enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Four enemy fighting positions
• Two enemy fighting positions
• Nine 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 411.

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.

U.S. airstrikes in support of GNA: Nov. 18-19

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 18, 2016

• One enemy fighting position

November 19, 2016

• One enemy fighting position
• One enemy fighting position
• 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 398.

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.

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.