Islamic State militants set up training camps in Libya
Western nations voice grave concern that IS plans to exploit chaos engulfing the North African state
The United States has identified and is monitoring "training camps" set up by Islamic State (IS) militants in eastern Libya, a top US general has revealed.
General David Rodriguez, who heads US Africa Command, said the training camps are not a target for American forces at the moment, describing them as "very small and nascent". He estimated that around 200 militants were at the camps and said US forces would continue to track activity in the area.
Speaking in Washington yesterday, Rodriguez said: "We'll have to just continue to monitor and watch that carefully in the future to see what happens or whether it grows on unabated."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Libya has suffered instability since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, reports the Daily Telegraph, with various tribes, militias and political factions, including several Islamist groups, fighting for power.
The IS militants behind the camps are believed to be existing militia members who have shifted their allegiance to the jihadist group rather than volunteers from outside Libya.
Western governments have expressed "grave concern" over the mounting violence and civil unrest in Libya, with experts warning that IS might exploit the chaos that has engulfed the North African state.
IS, which operates mainly in Syria and Iraq, has won support from a number of factions in Derna, on the coast in north-east Libya, around 1,500 miles from IS's self-declared capital, the Syrian city of Raqqa.
Last month, Human Rights Watch reported executions, beheadings and public floggings in Derna. The city was described as "fully under the control of fundamentalists", some of whom had affiliated with IS.
The Libyan air force has conducted air strikes against targets in Derna on behalf of the elected government, while Islamist militants have launched suicide attacks in other Libyan cities, such as Tobruk and Benghazi.
The US and its allies have been conducting airstrikes against IS in Iraq and Syria for several months.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine interactive crossword - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Islamic State targeting Russia?
Today's Big Question Islamist terror group's attack on 'soft target' in Moscow was driven in part by 'opportunity and personnel'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published