CIA Secretly Arranged A Call Between President Trump And Libya's Haftar

Former US President Donald Trump spoke with Khalifa Haftar in April 2019 (AFP) 

Middle East Eye: CIA secretly arranged call between Trump and Libya's Haftar: Report 

Intelligence agency arranged call where former US president praised Libyan general during failed Tripoli offensive, Washington Post reports 

The CIA secretly arranged a call between former US President Donald Trump and Libya's Khalifa Haftar as the eastern commander launched an assault on the capital Tripoli in 2019, the Washington Post reported. 

The newspaper reported on Thursday, citing former administration officials, that the intelligence agency had put through a call between Trump and Haftar in April 2019, in which the US president praised Haftar's "significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources" before his failed offensive on Tripoli. 

The CIA also arranged a call with the Libyan commander and former National Security Adviser John Bolton, who urged Haftar to be "very cautious" but notified him that the US would not intervene in the country, the Post reported. 

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WNU Editor: Khalifa Haftar was known to be a CIA asset years ago. It looks like Haftar's "handlers"  are still busy.

US Calls For The Immediate Withdrawal Of Russian, Turkish Forces From Libya

Haftar failed in his bid to wrest control of Tripoli last year, ultimately leading to stalemate with GNA (AFP) 

Middle East Eye: US calls on Turkey and Russia to 'immediately' withdraw forces from Libya 

The deadline for withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries passed on Saturday with no movement observed on ground 

The United States has called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian and Turkish forces from Libya after a United Nations-mandated deadline for them to leave was left unanswered. 

Under a United Nations-brokered ceasefire signed in October last year, foreign troops and mercenaries were mandated to pull out of Libya within three months. 

That deadline passed on Saturday with no movement to leave announced or observed on the ground. 

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Update #1: US calls for withdrawal of Russian, Turkish forces from Libya (AFP) 

Update #2: US diplomat criticizes Russia, Turkey, UAE for intervening in Libya (Al-Monitor) 

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. Both Turkey and Russia are going to ignore this U.S. demand. But this does signal a more aggressive stance by the Biden administration against Turkey.

The Pentagon Wants Its Drone Back After Being Shot down By Russian Air Defense Over Libya

From August to December of 2016, MQ-9 Reaper aircrews supported the Government of National Accord and other coalition partners to remove Islamic State of Iraq and Syria fighters from Sirte, Libya. On Dec. 19, 2016, Sirte was declared liberated from ISIS.

Washington Times: AFRICOM demands return of US drone shot down by Russian air defenses over Libya

The U.S. military believes one of its drones lost near Libya’s capital Tripoli on Nov. 21 was brought down by Russian air defenses, according U.S. Africa Command.

Air Force Col. Christopher Karns, a spokesman for AFRICOM , told Military Times that the U.S. believes the remotely piloted aircraft may have been brought down by Russian mercenaries or troops with Khalifa Hifter’s Libyan National Army operating a Russian air defense system.

The U.S. is working various diplomatic channels as it seeks return of the downed drone, Karns said.

The commander of AFRICOM, U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend told Reuters that he believes the individuals who shot down the drone “didn’t know it was a U.S. remotely piloted aircraft when they fired on it.”

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WNU Editor: If AFRICOM does get its drone back, and it is a big maybe, it will be in pieces with the critical parts missing.

U.S. Says Russian Air Defenses Near The Libyan Capital Shot Down An Unarmed American Drone Last Month

Reuters: Exclusive: U.S. says drone shot down by Russian air defenses near Libyan capital

The U.S. military believes that an unarmed American drone reported lost near Libya’s capital last month was in fact shot down by Russian air defenses and it is demanding the return of the aircraft’s wreckage, U.S. Africa Command says.

Such a shootdown would underscore Moscow’s increasingly muscular role in the energy-rich nation, where Russian mercenaries are reportedly intervening on behalf of east Libya-based commander Khalifa Haftar in Libya’s civil war.

Haftar has sought to take the capital Tripoli, now held by Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).

U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, who leads Africa command, said he believed the operators of the air defenses at the time “didn’t know it was a U.S. remotely piloted aircraft when they fired on it.”

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WNU Editor: Last month Libya officials said this shot-down was a mistake .... Libyan Officials Say US Drone Shot Down by Mistake (The New York Times).

More News On The U.S. Saying Russian Air Defenses Near The Libyan Capital Shot Down An Unarmed American Drone Last Month

US military says Russian air defenses shot down unarmed drone near Libyan capital: report -- FOX News
US military claims one of its unarmed drones was shot down by Russian air defences near the Libyan capital as it demands the return of wreckage -- Daily Mail
US military believes unarmed drone shot down by Russian defenses near Libyan capital -- The Hill
US military drone ‘shot down by Russian forces in Libya’ -- The Independent
US Military Claims American Drone Was Downed by Russian Air Defences Near Libya Last Month - Report -- Sputnik
US believes Russian air defenses downed its drone in Libya -- Libyan Observer

Pentagon Reports A US Military Drone Has Disappeared Over The Libyan Capital Of Tripoli

An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft soars over Southern California skies on a training flight on Sept. 15, 2016. (Neil Ballecer / Air National Guard)

DW: Drone 'lost' over Libya, says US military

A US drone aircraft has been "lost" over Libya's capital, Tripoli, says AFRICOM, the US military's headquarters for Africa, based in Germany. For months, rival Libyan groups have fought for control of Libya's main city.

US Africa Command (AFRICOM), which from Germany oversees Africa — an area three times larger than the US — did not state a reason for the loss of its drone, said to have occurred on Thursday.

The remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) was "unarmed" and was conducting operations to "assess the ongoing security situation [in Libya] and monitor violent extremist activity," said AFRICOM in a brief statement, adding the incident was "under investigation."

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WNU Editor: Is the Trump administration contemplating a shift in policy? .... Trump Officials Meet With Libyan Politician Aligned With Opposition ‘Strongman’ In Potential Policy Shift (Defense One).

Update: Is someone jamming these drones over Libya? .... U.S. Drone Lost Over Tripoli The Day After Italy Lost a Predator B in Libya: New Jamming Capability Deployed? (The Aviationist).

More News On The Disappearance Of A US Drone Over The Libyan Capital Of Tripoli

American military loses drone over Libyan capital -- Military Times/AP
U.S. military says unmanned drone lost over Libyan capital -- Euronews/NBC
US military drone disappears over Libyan capital, officials say -- FOX News
US Africa Command says lost contact with unarmed aircraft over Tripoli -- Libya Observer
US Loses Military Drone Over Libyan Capital -- Zero Hedge
U.S. and Italian drones crash or shot down over Libya -- Libya Herald

Is The U.S.Abandoning The U.N.Backed Government In Libya?

CNN: Trump praises Libyan general as his troops march on US backed government in Tripoli

(CNN)President Donald Trump spoke with Libyan general Khalifa Haftar Monday, praising his role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's vast oil resources even as Haftar's troops continue their offensive against the UN and US-backed government in the Libyan capital of Tripoli.

Trump "recognized Field Marshal Haftar's significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources, and the two discussed a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic political system," the White House said Friday in its official readout of the call.

The statement made no mention of Haftar's offensive on Tripoli, and Trump's praise for the rogue Libyan general signals a departure from previous administration statements condemning Haftar's march on the capital.

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WNU Editor: It looks like the French are also working behind the backs of the U.N. backed government in Libya .... Libya’s UN-backed govt accuses France of supporting Haftar, ends cooperation (France 24). More here .... Libya's Interior Minister announces halt of security cooperation with France (Libya Observer).

More News On The Libyan War

White House says Trump spoke to Libyan commander Haftar on Monday -- Reuters
Trump speaks to rebel Libyan general attacking Tripoli -- The Hill
Libya crisis: Trump speaks to insurgent General Haftar -- BBC
Trump Discussed ‘Shared Vision’ With Libyan Militia Leader Challenging Tripoli Government -- The Wall Street Journal
Mortar bombs land on Tripoli suburb as two-week battle rages on -- Reuters
Libya death toll rises to 205 as Tripoli fighting continues: WHO -- Al Jazeera
Libya's UN-backed government suspends cooperation with France, accuses it of backing rebel forces -- Euronews/Reuters
Tripoli suburb hit by mortars as the West divided on Libya truce -- Al Jazeera
U.S., Russia say cannot support a U.N. call for Libya truce: diplomats -- Reuters
France rejects Libya's 'unfounded' claim it supports militia leader Khalifa Haftar -- DW
Libya’s Tripoli-based government seeks Algerian support -- Middle East Monitor
The Fight for Libya: What to Know -- Council on Foreign Relations

U.S Africa Command Personnel Evacuate Tripoli As Libyan Strongman Khalifa Haftar Approaches The City

Footage of U.S Africa command personnel being evacuated from Libya to a U.S navy ship in the Mediterranean this morning #Libya #Tripoli pic.twitter.com/BsuMo9PbPC

— CNW (@ConflictsW) April 7, 2019

The War Zone/The Drive: Video Out Of Libya Shows U.S. Navy Hovercraft Evacuating Americans From Tripoli (Updated)

As Khalifa Haftar's militia pushes deeper into Tripoli, Americans in the capital to help the UN-backed government are being whisked to safety.

actions of the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by hardline General Khalifa Haftar, have made a thrust into Tripoli and have claimed to have taken control of Tripoli International Airport, which hasn't been anywhere near fully functional since 2014. The UN-backed Libyan government calls Tripoli home, whereas Haftar has amassed his power largely in the eastern and southern stretches of Libya. Last week, Haftar—who enjoys varying degrees support from the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Russia—ordered his militias to take the Libyan Government's seat of power in what could be a far more decisive military operation than most expected it to be.

Read more ....

More News On U.S. Troops Fleeing Tripoli

U.S. Temporarily Withdraws Some Forces in Libya as Fighting Nears Capital -- Time/AP
US pulls troops from Libya amid a surge in violence -- CNN
Libya: US pulls forces amid fighting near capital -- DW
U.S. Military Pulls Out of Libyan Capital as Rival Militias Battle -- The New York Times
AFRICOM evacuates US forces from Libya as fighting intensifies -- Stars and Stripes
US forces evacuated from Libya as Haftar seeks military control -- The Guardian
US moves troops out of Libya as fighting surges between rival military groups -- The Independent
US evacuates military unit from Libya as security situation deteriorates -- The National

The U.S. Has Conducted 550 Drone Strikes In Libya Since 2011

Nick Turse, Henrik Moltke, Alice Speri, The Intercept: Secret War

The U.S. Has Conducted 550 Drone Strikes in Libya Since 2011 — More Than in Somalia, Yemen, or Pakistan

The United States has conducted approximately 550 drone strikes in Libya since 2011, more than in Somalia, Yemen, or Pakistan, according to interviews and an analysis of open-source data by The Intercept.

The Intercept’s reporting indicates that Libya has been among the most heavily targeted nations in terms of American remotely piloted aircraft and radically revises the number of drone strikes carried out under the Obama administration, doubling some estimates.

During a four-month span in 2016, for example, there were approximately 300 drone strikes in Libya, according to U.S. officials. That’s seven times more than the 42 confirmed U.S. RPA attacks carried out in Somalia, Yemen, and Pakistan combined for all of 2016, according to data compiled by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a London-based nonprofit news organization. The Libya attacks have continued under the Trump administration, with the latest U.S. drone strike occurring last week about 50 miles southeast of the town of Bani Walid.

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WNU Editor: And the air and drone strikes continue .... U.S. says it killed four IS militants in Libya strike (Reuters).

U.S. Escalating Airstrikes Against Al Qaeda In Libya

Task & Purpose: The US IS Turning Up The Heat On Jihadists In Libya

The U.S. conducted a precision airstrike against Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Libya on June 13 near the town of Bani Walid, U.S. Africa Command announced on Thursday, the third airstrike against two different militant groups in the country in the recent months.

* The AQIM militant killed in June 13 strike is the second so far this year after a March 24 strike took out high-ranking official Musa Abu Duwud.
* AQIM isn’t the only militant group the U.S. is targeting. A June 6 airstrike killed four ISIS-Libya fighters, also in Bani Walid.
* The strikes were carried out in coordination with the Libyan government as part of the United States’ stated mission to “degrade, disrupt, and destroy terrorist organizations and support stability in the region,’ a mission the Trump administration restarted in September 2017.

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WNU Editor: I guess we will be seeing more of this .... Terrorist killed in second U.S. airstrike this year on al-Qaida in Libya, officials say (Military Times). As for the Libyan civil war/conflict itself .... the war is heating up .... Libya strongman's jets strike rivals targeting oil terminals (AFP)

U.S. Air Strikes In Libya Were Conducted Under President Trump's New Rules That Permit The Military To Conduct Lethal Operations Outside Of A Designated War Zone

Paul D. Shinkman, US News and World Report: In Libya Strike, Military Shows New Lethal Powers Under Trump

The White House has slowly rolled back Obama-era restrictions on drone strikes, shown for the first time in a deadly strike against Islamic State group fighters.

U.S. forces in Africa this week staged what would have been an otherwise unremarkable attack against Islamic State extremists but for one key detail: The operation was the first to rely on authorities granted under the Trump administration that allow the military to conduct lethal strikes outside a designated war zone and without explicit White House approval in advance.

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WNU Editor: I am not surprised by these new rules .... the war against the Islamic State is not limited to just Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. What I am surprised about is the lack of protests to these new rules that now permit the Pentagon to operate outside of designated war zones. No debate in Congress or the pundit class. A few articles posted here and there. And that's it.

U.S. Renews Airstrikes On Libya Targeting The Islamic State

CNN: US hits ISIS in Libya a second time in less than a week

The US military conducted airstrikes against ISIS fighters in Libya Tuesday, for a second time in less than a week and only the second time the US has struck targets in the North African country since Donald Trump became President.

"US forces conducted two precision airstrikes in Libya against ISIS militants," US Africa Command, which oversees US troops in the region, said in a statement issued Thursday.

Africa Command added that the strikes killed "several ISIS militants" and were carried out "in coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord," the internationally recognized government based in Tripoli.

Read more ....

More News On Libya

US renews air attacks on IS in Libya -- Deutsche Welle
US carries out airstrikes in Libya -- The Telegraph
U.S. airstrikes in Libya kill several ISIS fighters -- CBS/AP
US Air Strike Kills 'Several' Islamic State Militants in Libya -- U.S. News & World Report/Reuters
US Strikes Daesh in Libya, Killing Several Terrorists - US Africa Command -- Sputnik International
Egyptian air force 'destroys 4x4 vehicles carrying weapons' across Libya border: Spox -- Ahram Online
Libya lists more than 830 wanted jihadists -- News24
Islamic State set up Libyan desert army after losing Sirte: prosecutor -- Reuters
ISIS, private militias threaten Libyan recovery, says former prime minister -- Fox News

President Trump Tells The Italian PM That The Only Role For The U.S. In Libya Is To Defeat The Islamic State

New York Times: No U.S. Military Role in Libya, Trump Says, Rejecting Italy’s Pleas

President Trump said on Thursday that he would not give the American military a direct role in helping stabilize war-ravaged Libya, rejecting years of pleading by Italy for more assistance in stemming African migrant traffic into Europe.

Mr. Trump’s comments came during a White House news conference with Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni of Italy, who implored the United States to step up its “critical” involvement in Libya, a former Italian colony.

“We need a stable and unified Libya,” Mr. Gentiloni, who has been in office since November, said, discussing a conflict that has sent thousands of asylum seekers across the Mediterranean to Italy and other European countries. “A divided country, and in conflict, would make civility worse.”

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WNU Editor: The Italian Prime Minister wants the U.S. to intervene. Libya is now the gateway for millions of Africans who want a better life in Europe, and as long as chaos reigns supreme in that country, the human smugglers are taking full advantage of the situation ..... Italian PM: 'Chaos' of Migrant Crisis Threatens to Engulf Europe (VOA). As to what is my take .... I am done with nation building.

More News On President Trump Telling The Italian PM That The Only Role For The U.S. In Libya Is To Defeat The Islamic State

Trump says only role for U.S. in Libya is defeating Islamic State -- Reuters
Trump says he does not see expanded role for U.S. in Libya beyond ISIS fight -- Washington Post
Trump, alongside Italian PM, says no US role in Libya -- CNN
Trump: I don't see a role for the U.S. in Libya -- Politico
Trump says no US role in Libya, moments after Italian PM calls it 'critical' -- FOX News
'Defeat ISIS and go home': Trump rejects US role in Libya nation-building -- RT

U.S. Alarmed By The Growing Russian Presence In Libya

RFE: U.S. Commander Says Russians Looking To Expand Influence In Libya

The chief of the U.S. military’s Africa Command says Russia is attempting to expand its influence in Libya, something the United States is watching with "great concern."

General Thomas Waldhauser on March 24 said Russia was "on the ground" in the border area between Egypt and Libya and was using military means, weapon sales, and oil to expand its influence in the country.

"They are trying to influence the action -- we watch what they do with great concern," Waldhauser told a news conference. "They are on the ground.”

Earlier this month, AFP and Reuters reported that Russia had deployed forces to a base in western Egypt about 100 kilometers from the border with Libya.

Russia denied the reports.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. Being Alarmed At The Growing Russian Presence In Libya

Link seen between Russia and Libyan commander Haftar: U.S. general -- Reuters
US military officer raises worry over Russia's influence in Libya -- AFP
US alarm at Russian meddling in Libya -- The Times
US general: Links between Libya’s Haftar and Russia -- Middle East Monitor
Russian links with Libya general 'undeniable,' US general claims -- The Telegraph.
U.S. general claims Russians are interfering in Libya -- Ken Hanly, Digital Journal
What Americans Need To Know If Russia Intervenes in Libya’s Civil War -- Amanda Kadlec,Christopher S. Chivvis

U.S. B-52 Bombers Strike Islamic State Camps In Libya

CNN: First on CNN: US bombs ISIS camps in Libya, dozens killed

(CNN)US B-2 bombers struck and destroyed two ISIS camps in Libya overnight, with initial estimates that over 80 militants were killed, US officials told CNN Thursday.

The mission, which was confirmed in a later Pentagon statement and is expected to be the last, short-notice military operation ordered by President Barack Obama, was approved several days ago by the President, according to sources.

"They (the ISIS fighters) posed a security threat to Libya, the region, and US national interests," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement. "While we are still evaluating the results of the strikes, the initial assessment indicates they were successful."

Read more ....

More News On U.S. B-52 Bombers Striking Islamic State Camps In Libya

US bombers strike Islamic State camps in Libya -- AP
U.S. bombers hit Islamic State militants in Libya: U.S. defense officials -- Reuters
'Dozens' of IS fighters killed in US B-2 strikes in Libya -- AFP
B-2 bombers flew from Missouri to Libya to kill Islamic State targets -- UPI
U.S. stealth bombers strike Islamic State fighters in Libya -- Washington Post
U.S. Bombs ISIS Camps in Libya -- NYT
B-2 bombers kill nearly 100 ISIS terrorists in Libya -- FOX news
B-2 Bombers Strike ISIS Camps in Libya -- ABC News
U.S. stealth bombers attack alleged ISIS camps -- CBS
U.S. airstrikes kill 'several dozen' Islamic State fighters in Libya -- Air Force Times
US planes strike Isis training camps in Libya after declaring end to bombing -- The Guardian
U.S. bombers strike Islamic State camps in Libya -- Washington Times
US B-2 bombers strike ISIS camps in Libya – defense officials -- RT
US Military Airstrikes Destroy Two Daesh Camps in Libya - Pentagon -- Sputnik
US bombs 2 Islamic State camps south of Sirte, Libya -- Long War Journal

U.S. Launches New Helicopter Strikes In Libya

Hundreds of airstrikes have been unleashed by the US on Islamic State jihadists in Libya but the only previously confirmed deployment of the Cobra gunships came at the end of August (AFP Photo/Odd Andersen)

AFP: US Marines in new helicopter strikes in Libya

Rome (AFP) - US Marines are using Super Cobra attack helicopters to mount close-range airstrikes against Islamic State militants in the Libyan city of Sirte, the US navy said Thursday.

The gunship attacks, the first of their kind to be confirmed in over two months, were launched overnight from the USS San Antonio, an amphibious transport dock ship deployed off the North African state.

A statement from the US navy's base at Naples in southern Italy said the Cobras were carrying out "precision airstrikes" during combat operations in Sirte, a coastal city where IS loyalists established a base in 2015.

The US Naval Forces in Europe base did not immediately provide further details of the scope, objectives or impact of the attacks.

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WNU Editor: For the past few weeks the U.S. has been under pressure to get more directly involved in the Libyan civil war .... Libya's Chaos Prompts New US Calls for Action (VOA). I guess they are now following up on these requests.

U.S. Launches Air Strikes Against Islamic State Militants In Libya

Smoke rises following an air strike as Libyan forces allied with the U.N.-backed government gather after they captured a new area from Islamic State militants in Sirte, Libya, October 16, 2016. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny

Reuters: U.S. air strikes pound Libya's Sirte to oust Islamic State militants

U.S. aircraft hit Islamic State targets with more 30 strikes over the last three days on the Libyan city of Sirte as pro-government forces push into its last militant-held districts, the U.S. military said on Monday.

Libyan forces are close to ending a six-month campaign to liberate Sirte from Islamic State, which took over the city more than a year after taking advantage of factional infighting that emerged after the fall of strongman Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Forces mostly from nearby Misrata city are pushing ahead street by street, facing snipers and suicide bombers. They are helped by U.S. air strikes since August and coordination with small teams of Western special forces on the ground.

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Update: US Conducts 36 Airstrikes Against Daesh Over Three Days in Libya (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: If I was living in Libya, I would probably be feeling the same way .... War-weary Libyans miss life under Kadhafi (AFP).

Pentagon: 48 Airstrikes In The Month of August Against The Islamic State In Libya

Libya's us-backed forces advance in the city sirte (Photo: facebook.com/BMCLY)

Military Times: U.S. airstrikes hit ISIS in Libya, marking 48 strikes in August

CAIRO — Airstrikes launched by the United States have hit an Islamic State group vehicle and four militant positions in Libya, raising to 48 the number of U.S. airstrikes against the extremist group since Washington launched its anti-IS campaign in Libya on Aug. 1.

In a statement Tuesday, U.S. Africa Command says it conducted the strikes in the coastal city of Sirte "at the request of, and in coordination with," Libya's United Nations-backed government.

Sirte is the Islamic State group's last remaining stronghold in the country, and Libyan troops have been forcing the militants into ever-smaller bits of territory there, backed by the U.S. airstrikes.

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Update #1: U.S. Airstrikes Hit ISIL Targets in Libya (U.S. Department of Defense)
Update #2: 60 U.S. airstrikes have pounded Libya so far this month (Washington Examiner)

WNU Editor: The Islamic Satte may have been pushed backed .... but the fighting among the various groups continues .... Libyans push back IS group, but violence continues among rival parties (Yasser Seddiq, Ahram Online).

U.S. And Libyan Officials Admit That U.S. Ground Forces Are Engaged In A Major Battle Against The Islamic State

Libyan forces allied with the U.N.-backed government fire weapons during a battle with IS fighters in Sirte, Libya, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/GORAN TOMASEVIC

Washington Post: U.S. Special Operations troops aiding Libyan forces in major battle against Islamic State

U.S. Special Operations forces are providing direct, on-the-ground support for the first time to fighters battling the Islamic State in Libya, U.S. and Libyan officials said, coordinating American airstrikes and providing intelligence information in an effort to oust the group from a militant stronghold.

The positioning of a small number of elite U.S. personnel, operating alongside British troops, in the coastal city of Sirte deepens the involvement of Western nations against the Islamic State’s most powerful affiliate.

U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a mission that has not been announced publicly, said the American troops were operating out of a joint operations center on the city’s outskirts and that their role was limited to supporting forces loyal to the country’s fragile unity government.

Robyn Mack, a spokeswoman for U.S. Africa Command (Africom), said small numbers of U.S. military personnel would continue to go in and out of Libya to exchange information with local forces, but she declined to provide details.

Read more ....

Update: Pentagon acknowledges US ground forces supporting ISIS fight in Libya (The Hill)

WNU Editor: The Pentagon is denying these reports .... Pentagon denies U.S. troops in direct combat role in Libya (Washington Examiner).

In the meantime the battle for Sirte continues ....

Libyan forces report capture of Sirte convention center, hospital from Islamic State -- Reuters
US-backed Libyan forces takeover IS headquarters in Sirte -- AP
Libyan Forces Say They’ve Retaken IS Headquarters in Sirte -- Bloomberg
Libyan forces take 90% of IS hideouts in Sirte, advance into Ouagadougou Halls -- Libyan Express

U.S. Air Strikes In Libya Are Not Having The Impact That Was Expected

Libyan forces allied with the U.N.-backed government fire weapons during a battle with IS fighters in Sirte, Libya, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic/File Photo

Reuters: U.S. air strikes show limits on Libya intervention

While U.S. jets and drones are pounding Islamic State in the Libyan city of Sirte, Western powers are unlikely to expand their military involvement rapidly, anxious to avoid exacerbating factional divisions as the government they support struggles to establish itself.

The United Nations-backed government asked for the U.S. air strikes which began on Aug. 1, but it has still not made a long-awaited request for broader security help - including a possible easing of an international arms embargo on the factions which emerged during and after the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

"They know that the international community is ready to help with training and advice, but specific requests are not emerging yet," said a Western diplomatic source.

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Update #1: Even with US airstrikes, a struggle to oust Islamic State from Libya -- Stars and Stripes/Washington Post
Update #2: US Forces Conduct 9 Airstrikes in Libya in Support of Anti-Daesh Operation -- Sputnik

WNU Editor: Any air campaign must be supplemented by ground forces .... but there is no stomach in western capitals to increase their ground presence in Libya .... hence the debate on how effective are these air strikes.

President Obama: 'Supporting Libya's Fight With Islamic State Is In U.S. Interest'

© Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

Reuters: Obama says supporting Libya's fight with Islamic State is in U.S. interest

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Tuesday it is in the U.S. national security interest to support Libya's emerging government's fight against Islamic State, a day after his administration said it launched air strikes there.

The move marks the opening of a new front by the U.S. administration in the war against Islamic State, which, under added pressure in its Syria and Iraq strongholds, is increasingly resorting to planning attacks abroad.

Obama said the air strikes were undertaken to make sure that Libyan forces were able to finish the job of fighting the radical militant group and to increase stability there.

Read more ....

Update #1: Obama: Libya airstrikes critical to U.S. security (AP)
Update #2: Obama approves 30-day airstrike mission against ISIS in Libya (FOX News)

WNU Editor: The Hillary Clinton campaign has not commented on this new U.S. military mission, but Donald Trump is supporting this military action .... Trump: US has 'no choice but to bomb' ISIS in Libya (The Hill). What's my take .... here we go again .... becoming directly involved in a war where the guys on our side may not be the guys that we should support .... As Obama Bombs ISIS in Libya, Are We Backing the Right Regime? (CJ Arlotta, The Fiscal Times).