{UAH} OBAMA DELIVERS ONE FOR THE ROAD TO LIBYA

US air strikes kill Isis militants plotting new terror attacks in Europe as Libya camps destroyed

Pentagon says strikes targeted militants who fled their former stronghold of Sirte

• Lizzie Dearden 
• Thursday 19 January 2017

Two US B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were flown from Missouri for the mission Getty Images

American forces have bombed two Isis camps in Libya where militants were plotting new terror attacks on Europe.

Ashton Carter, the outgoing US defence secretary, said initial estimates suggested more than 80 fighters were killed.

"They were external plotters who were actively planning operations against our allies in Europe," he said.

"They may also have been connected with some attacks that have already occurred."

Libya: Government forces block ISIL at Sirte coastline

Mr Carter, speaking in his last press briefing before Donald Trump's inauguration, said: "These were critically important strikes in our campaign and to destroy Isis not just in Iraq and Syria, but wherever it emerges."

He said he was confident that his successor would continue American efforts to "deliver Isil (Isis) the lasting defeat it deserves".

READ MORE

• Map shows where President Barack Obama dropped his 20,000 bombs
• Government continues support for Libyan coastguard despite attacks
• Libyan rebel leader wins right to sue Jack Straw over 'torture'

More than 100 munitions were dropped by two US B-2 stealth bombers that were flown all the way from a base in Missouri for the mission.

Journalists were shown surveillance footage from the air of Isis fighters on the ground, moving shells and rockets between vehicles covered in desert camouflage.

Peter Cook, the Pentagon press secretary, said the operation was carried out around 25 miles southwest of the group's former stronghold of Sirte on Wednesday night.

Militants had gathered there after fleeing the US-backed assault that drove them out of the coastal city "in order to reorganise", he added.

"They posed a security threat to Libya, the region, and US national interests," Mr Cook said.

The US has been backing militias fighting to push Isis back in Libya (Reuters)

"While we are still evaluating the results of the strikes, the initial assessment indicates they were successful.

"We are committed to maintaining pressure on Isil (Isis) and preventing them from establishing safe haven."

The mission was authorised directly by Barack Obama in his last days as President, having given military support to Libyan militas' effort to retake Sirte last year.

His successor has been unclear on his position over Libya, hitting out at America's support for British and French-led efforts to oust Muammar Gaddafi.

"We would be so much better off if Gaddafi would be in charge right now," Donald Trump said on the campaign trail last year.

But in 2011 he claimed he would have authorised strikes to "knock this guy out very quickly…to save lives".

The US carried out several rounds of air strikes targeting Isis in Libya since receiving a request from the country last year.

Two Serbian embassy employees being held hostage by the militants were killed by an American bombing raid near Sabratha in February.

Sent from my MetroPCS 4G LTE Android Device