United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said it is concerned that Libya’s eight-year civil war could bolster terrorist groups harbored in the country and foster a breeding ground for violent extremist organizations.
Military Times newspaper – a US publication – said Wednesday that preventing such chaos in Libya is a key issue for AFRICOM Commander General Stephen Townsend, who traveled to Tunis, Tunisia with U.S. Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland to meet with Libya’s prime minister, Fayez al Sarraj, on August 26.
“There, the leaders discussed threats from existing violent extremist organizations in Libya, along with the need for a solution to end the civil war. Close cooperation is important to address the (violent extremist organizations) threat. Townsend said in a media release.
US Africa Command spokesperson Air Force Col. Chris Karns said in an email to Military Times that the ongoing fighting and conflict in Libya has the potential to give existing terrorist elements in Libya oxygen, adding that this is a situation that is being carefully monitored, as intensified and inclusive dialogue is occurring to work toward a political solution.
Karns expalind that the chaos exhibited in Libya presents an opportunity for terror groups to recruit, conduct some basic training and survive, adding that evidence suggests these efforts are occurring.
According to the newspaper, in response to threats from these groups, AFRICOM conducted six airstrikes in Libya last year and seven in 2017 as part of counter-terrorism operations.
Karns also told Military Times that no airstrikes had been conducted in 2019 because the terrorist threat was “considerably degraded” prior to tensions escalating in Libya in the spring.
“Military strike still remains an option, Karns said, in the event that terror groups regenerate and present additional threats.” Karns added.
The newspaper added that the US had a small presence of troops in Libya starting in 2011 after Moammar Gaddafi was overthrown.
“They were there to help local forces extinguish militant groups in Libya, who were conducting attacks and working on recruitment efforts, but in April, US forces were pulled from Libya due to heightened unrest.
Karns indicated that there are currently no US troops in Libya, adding that AFRICOM is interested in bringing US troops back to Libya, but was tight-lipped about when and how many troops would return.
