This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/reports-airstrikes-target-suspected-islamic-state-base-in-libya/2016/02/19/e622c12a-d6f7-11e5-be55-2cc3c1e4b76b_story.html

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Reports: Airstrikes target suspected Islamic State base in Libya Reports: Airstrikes target suspected Islamic State base in Libya
(35 minutes later)
Airstrikes hit a suspected Islamic State-linked camp in Libya on Friday, killing dozens of people in a sign of possible stepped up Western military activity against militant strongholds in North Africa, reports said. CAIRO — U.S. warplanes carried out airstrikes Friday against a suspected Islamic State-linked camp in Libya, reports and officials said, leaving more than 40 dead in a sign of possible stepped up Western military pressures against militant strongholds in North Africa.
News agencies said the attacks hit an area near Sabratha west of Tripoli. The AFP news agency said at least 40 people were killed. The Associated Press, citing a U.S. military spokesman, said the attacks targeted a senior Tunisian militant linked to two major attacks last year in neighboring Tunisia.
There were no immediate details on the reported airstrikes, including which nation carried them out. The airstrikes destroyed a large farmhouse outside Sabratha, a city near the Tunisia border, where suspected militant fighters had gathered to hear a religious leader, said Jamal Naji Zubia, the head of the foreign news media office in Tripoli in a telephone interview.
But the New York Times, citing a Western official, reported the mission involved U.S. warplanes targeting a suspected Islamic State figure, Noureddine Chouchane, who is believe to be key plotter in two major attacks last year on tourist sites in neighboring Tunisia. [Kerry warns of tightening Islamic State grip in Libya]
The New York Times report said officials were seeking information on whether Chouchane was killed in the attack. Zubia — who described the airstrikes as an “accurate hit” — said most of the victims were Tunisian, but at least one was Jordanian. A Libyan official, Hussein al-Thwadi, told the Reuters news agency that at least 41 people were killed.
“They are believed to be from Daesh,” said Zubia, using the Arabic name for the Islamic State. “They had gathered at the house to hear a speech from one of their Tunisian imams.”
A possible key target in the attack was Noureddine Chouchane, an Islamic State operative who was believe to be key plotter the Tunisian attacks against tourist sites.
The New York Times, citing a Western official, said officials were seeking information on whether Chouchane was killed in the attack.
The Tunisia attacks appeared aimed at crippling the vitial tourism industry in Tunisia, a popular spot for Europeans and others. In March, gunmen killed 22 people at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis. In June, attackers stormed a beach in the resort of Sousse, killing 38 people.The Tunisia attacks appeared aimed at crippling the vitial tourism industry in Tunisia, a popular spot for Europeans and others. In March, gunmen killed 22 people at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis. In June, attackers stormed a beach in the resort of Sousse, killing 38 people.
[The Tunisian beach that became a killing field]
The Islamic State has taken advantage of political chaos in Libya — which is divided between two rival governments — to increase its footholds in North Africa.The Islamic State has taken advantage of political chaos in Libya — which is divided between two rival governments — to increase its footholds in North Africa.
So far, U.S.-led military pressure against the Islamic State has concentrated on Iraq and Syria. But the United States and allies have been studying possible increased military action against the militant group in Libya.So far, U.S.-led military pressure against the Islamic State has concentrated on Iraq and Syria. But the United States and allies have been studying possible increased military action against the militant group in Libya.
Earlier this month, Secretary of State of John Kerry said Islamic State fighters could be retrenching in oil-rich Liyba as the U.S.-led military campaign cuts off supply routes and bases in Syria and Iraq.
“As everybody here knows, that country has resources,” Kerry said at a conference of 23 foreign ministers in Rome. “The last thing in the world you’d want is a false caliphate with access to billions of dollars in oil revenue.”
Both Kerry and Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said the radical Islamist group is expanding its presence in Libya, as fighters pushed out of Iraq and Syria relocate there and are joined by others new to the battle.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers expressed concern over the “growing influence” of the Islamic State in Libya. They vowed to “continue to monitor closely developments there, and stand ready to support the Government of National Accord in its efforts to establish peace and security for the Libyan people.”
Murphy reported from Washington.
Read more:Read more:
Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the worldToday's coverage from Post correspondents around the world