US Forces Carry Out 3 Airstrikes in Libya in Support of Anti-Daesh Operations

According to US Africa Command, US forces conducted nine airstrikes near the Libyan city of Sirte on Monday as part of an aerial campaign against the Daesh terror group.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US forces conducted nine airstrikes near the Libyan city of Sirte on Monday as part of an aerial campaign against the Daesh terror group, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a press release.

"These airstrikes bring the total number of airstrikes in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning, which began Aug. 1, to 77," the release stated on Tuesday.

The airstrikes on Monday hit an Daesh supply truck and 10 fighting positions, AFRICOM noted.

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit has been conducting the counter-Daesh flight operations from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp located in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the US Navy.

Operation Odyssey Lightning was launched at the request of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) and will allow state forces to make a strategic advance against the Daesh’s positions in Sirte, according to the US Department of Defense.

On Monday, the Libyan parliament in the city of Tobruk passed a no-confidence vote in the Tripoli-based GNA and called for a new cabinet to be created.

The Daesh outlawed in the United States, Russia and many other countries, gained a foothold in Libya in the turmoil following the 2011 overthrow of leader Muammar Gaddafi.