U.S. Special Ops Operating In Libya (Updated)

Washington Post: U.S. establishes Libyan outposts with eye toward offensive against Islamic State

American Special Operations troops have been stationed at two outposts in eastern and western Libya since late 2015, tasked with lining up local partners in advance of a possible offensive against the Islamic State, U.S. officials said.

Two teams totaling fewer than 25 troops are operating from around the cities of Misurata and Benghazi to identify potential ­allies among local armed factions and gather intelligence on threats, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive mission overseas.

The insertion of a tiny group of U.S. personnel into a country rife with militant threats reflects the Obama administration’s worries about the Islamic State’s powerful Libyan branch and the widespread expectations of an expanded campaign against it. For months, the Pentagon has been developing plans for potential action against the group, which has at least several thousand fighters in the coastal city of Sirte and other areas. And the U.S. personnel, whose ongoing presence had not been previously reported, is a sign of the acceleration toward another military campaign in Libya.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: With yesterday's commitment to arm the "unity government" .... Libya to be military equipped in fight against ISIL (Al Jazeera) .... more here .... U.S, Russia, Others Agree To Arm Libyan Government (RFE). It is not hard to predict that this conflict is now on the verge of escalating into another bloodier level.

More News On U.S. Special Operation Teams In Libya

Special ops teams deployed to Libya in campaign against Islamic State -- Washington Times
U.S. forces on the ground in Libya: Report -- Washington Times
US troops spotted near Libyan frontline with Islamic State -- Middle East Eye
Op-Ed: U.S. may have two 'outposts' in Libya near Misrata and Benghazi -- Digital Journal
The US is gearing up for another military campaign in Libya -- Business Insider/Reuters