Michael Hernandez
10 August 2016•Update: 11 August 2016
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
U.S. troops have been assisting Libyan government forces as they seek to oust Daesh from its most powerful stronghold outside of the Middle East, the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday.
Henrietta Levin, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said in a statement that “a small number of U.S. forces” have been going in and out of Libya “to exchange information with local forces”.
She did not disclose an estimate on the number of U.S. forces.
The Libyan government has set up joint operations rooms away from the frontlines as it seeks to remove Daesh from its Libyan stronghold in Sirtre, according to the Pentagon.
The city lies about midway between Tripoli and Benghazi. Daesh seized it in 2015 amid the chaos that followed the country’s revolution.
Levin told Anadolu Agency that the information being shared with Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord forces includes “key information about the fight in Sirte, and strikes against ISIL targets inside Sirte.”
There are not currently any plans for U.S. forces to conduct advise and assist operations for the Libyan forces, she added.
The Obama administration announced earlier this month that it would carry out airstrikes to help Libya's government oust Daesh from its Libyan capital, marking a notable expansion in the war against the terror group.
To date, the U.S. has carried out 28 airstrikes, including eight Monday, since Aug. 1, according to the U.S.'s African command.
