US carries out third airstrike against Al-Qaeda in Libya

U.S. forces carried out an airstrike against al-Qaeda militants in Libya, Africa Command said on Friday, November 30.

“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,” Africom said in a press release.

It is the third airstrike against al-Qaeda in Libya and the first since June. The June 13 strike killed a suspected militant approximately 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Bani Walid. The first strike, on March March 24, resulted in the death of Musa Abu Dawud, a high-ranking AQIM official, according to Africom.

“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,” U.S. Africa Command director of operations Major General Gregg P. Olson said.

Photos of the strike and destroyed vehicles were first published on Thursday. According to Menastream, a research and risk consultancy, the airstrike targeted a AQIM convoy and individuals linked to Musa Abu Dawud, whose real name is Moussa Bourahla.

#Libya: Photos from the site of today's suspected #US airstrike in the area of Ifalalen/Taineghen north of Awaynat, three vehicles destroyed and nine individuals reportedly killed pic.twitter.com/c0ylGyqzc2

— MENASTREAM (@MENASTREAM) November 29, 2018