US Forces Conduct Airstrike in Libya, Manage to Kill One Terrorist

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US forces carried out an airstrike against al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM, banned in Russia) in Libya, killing one terrorist, US Africa Command said in a press release on Thursday.

"In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), US forces conducted a precision airstrike against al-Qa'ida* in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) approximately 50 miles southeast of Bani Walid, Libya, killing one (1) terrorist, on June 13, 2018," the release said.

The release said this is the second time US forces have gone after AQIM in Libya. The first airstrike on March 24, 2018 killed a high-ranking official.

There were no civilians killed in the airstrike, the US Africa Command added.

READ MORE: Russian Airstrike in Syria Leaves Al Nusra 'Emir' in Coma, 49 Terrorists Dead

Libya has been fragmented into territories controlled by rival political forces since its leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011. In recent years, the country has become a gateway to Europe for migrants from other African states.

*al-Qaeda — terrorist group outlawed in US, Russia and many other countries