WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US forces have conducted 23 airstrikes against the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, near the Libyan city of Sirte over the past week, the Africa Command said in a press release on Wednesday.
From November 10-15, US airstrikes hit 49 Daesh fighting positions and three vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, according to the release.
The total number of American strikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning launched on August 1 has reached 391, the Africa Command noted.
The airstrikes are intended to help deny the Daesh a safe haven in Libya from which it could attack the United States.
The Daesh gained a foothold in Libya in the turmoil following the 2011 ouster of the country’s longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The terror group is outlawed in Russia and numerous other countries.
