US aircraft Aug. 19-21 took out dozens of ISIS fighting positions in Sirte, Libya, paving the way for an advance into the city. At the request of the Libyan Government of National Accord, US aircraft struck 25 ISIS fighting positions and two trucks over three days, US Africa Command announced. The strike brings the total in Operation Odyssey Lightning to 74 since Aug. 1. Libyan forces said on Sunday it has advanced further into the city—the last remaining stronghold of the group inside the country—reclaiming a prison ran by ISIS’ “morality police” and a mosque, Reuters reported.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
