SAS FORCES ON THE GROUND IN LIBYA IN BID TO THWART NEW ISIS FRONT
From Tom Leonard in New York
British
special forces have been operating in Libya to thwart efforts by
Islamic State to open a new front there, according to Western officials.
They
say both the UK and US have secretly sent in commandos to undertake
surveillance and gather intelligence in central Libya amid fears that IS
might move its main base there.
As
the terror group loses ground in Syria and Iraq, it increasingly sees
war-torn Libya as crucial to its plans if forced out of its heartland,
the officials told The New York Times.
Concern
has focused on the port city of Sirte, where the dictator Muammar
Gaddafi was killed after being overthrown, and which is just 400 miles
south-east of Sicily.
Concern has focused on the port city
of Sirte, where the dictator Muammar Gaddafi (pictured) was killed after
being overthrown, and which is just 400 miles south-east of Sicily
IS
has already won control of a 150-mile stretch of coastline near the
city, forcing back local militias. The group has started imposing its
harsh interpretation of Islamic law in Sirte, banning music, forcing
women to wear veils and crucifying at least four people since August
IS
is estimated to have around 2,000 fighters in Libya. Their next target
is believed to be Adjabiya, a city to the east of Sirte, which would
give the group control of a key crossroads as well as important oil
fields and terminals to the south.
The country remains split between two rival governments, and the resulting chaos has been exploited by IS.
The Ministry of Defence does not confirm reports on special forces’ work.
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