By Sami Zaptia.
London, 30 November 2018:
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) reported today that it had conducted what it referred to as “a precision airstrike” near Al Uwaynat, in southern Libya, yesterday.
AFRICOM said eleven al-Qa’ ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) terrorists were killed and three vehicles were destroyed.
It said that no Libyan civilians were injured or killed as a result of the air strike.
The AFRICOM report seems to tally with numerous unconfirmed reports and photographs yesterday across Libyan social and regular media.
The full statement read as follows:
“In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), U.S. Africa Command conducted a precision airstrike near Al Uwaynat, Libya, November 29, 2018, killing eleven (11) al-Qa’ ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) terrorists and destroying three (3) vehicles.
At this time, we assess no civilians were injured or killed in this strike.”
The statement added that “AFRICOM will use precision strikes to deny terrorists safe haven in Libya. We will keep pressure on their network, and they remain vulnerable wherever they are,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Gregg P. Olson, director of operations, U.S. Africa Command.
This is the third U.S. strike against AQIM in Libya. The last strike against AQIM occurred on June 13, 2018, resulting in the death of one (1) terrorist.
The United States will not relent in its mission to degrade, disrupt, and destroy terrorist organizations and bring stability to the region. We are committed to maintaining pressure on the terror network and preventing terrorists from establishing safe haven”, the statement concluded.
