WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US forces carried out three airstrikes near the Libyan city of Sirte on Thursday as part of an aerial campaign requested by Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a press release.
"These airstrikes bring the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 65," the release stated on Friday.
The airstrikes on Thursday targeted a Daesh supply truck, a vehicle-borne explosive device and three fighting positions, AFRICOM noted.
On Wednesday, GNA head of intelligence Col. Ismail Shukri said Daesh terrorists had almost lost their Libyan stronghold in the city of Sirte.
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit has been conducting the counter-Daesh flight operations from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp located in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the US Navy.
Daesh, outlawed in Russia and many countries around the world, gained a presence in Libya in the turmoil following the 2011 overthrow of leader Muammar Gaddafi.
