- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

France ‘Must Act Bold,' Land Troops in Libya Before Daesh Comes to Europe

© REUTERS / StringerIslamic State Fighters
Islamic State Fighters - Sputnik International
Subscribe
France must take bold actions and crush Daesh (Islamic State) militants in Libya before their influence grows stronger in North Africa, French journalist Philippe Bonnet wrote for Boulevard Voltaire.

Islamic state. Libya - Sputnik International
Daesh May Start 'Blitzkrieg' in Libya Like in Iraq in 2014
Currently there are around 5,000 Daesh militants crawling around in Libya, according to the country's Interior Ministry.

HIS Jane's magazine reported back in December that Daesh considers Libya as the most favorable country into which it could expand and establish its regional North African "caliphate."

That's why Bonnet thinks it's time for France to start acting bold.

"If we want to defeat [Daesh], we need to smash it in Libya and not allow terrorists to seize the country, the destruction of which we, ourselves, contributed to," Bonnet said, according to the Boulevard Voltaire.

The author believes if Daesh controls the North African coast, they'd hit Europe next.

According to the author, airstrikes won't be enough, this time European soldiers should land on the Libyan coast and fight Daesh on their soil to prevent the jihadists from coming over to Europe.

Although only France, Britain and Italy can act military in Libya, the rest of the European Union (EU) should pitch in and help a future anti-Daesh operation financially. The key is to "act as quickly as possible," Bonnet argued.

Fighters of the al-Qaida-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle down a main road at the northern city of Mosul, Iraq. (File) - Sputnik International
Less Talk, More Action: Europe Needs Alliance With Russia to Beat Daesh
Security has been on high alert in Europe since the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, carried out by Daesh militants.

In late December 2015, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni warned there was a possibility of new terrorist attacks across Europe in the future.

Daesh is considered one of the most serious threats to global security. In three years, the terrorists have seized large parts of Iraq and Syria. They have also been trying to establish their presence in North Africa, particularly in Libya.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала