Benghazi, Libya: Warplanes from Libya's internationally recognised government have hit positions of the Islamic State group pushing eastward from their stronghold in Sirte toward the oil hub of Ajdabiya, a senior officer said Tuesday.
IS, which already controls large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, has exploited the chaos that spread across Libya after veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 uprising.
The jihadists control Sirte, Kadhafi's hometown 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli and have been battling both government forces and Islamists in second city Benghazi, a further 550 kilometres to the east.
They are now trying to expand their zone of influence to Ajdabiya, which lies between Sirte and Benghazi and is in the heart of one of the North African country's major oil-producing regions.
The senior officer said warplanes Tuesday struck a "house in an industrial area south of Ajdabiya where jihadists were meeting".
The attack was part of a campaign aimed at preventing them from capturing the city, which is held by militias loyal to the recognised government.
Tuesday's strike was preceded by others last week, the officer said.
Last month, Foreign Minister Mohammed Dayri warned that Ajdabiya was at risk of becoming a "new fief" of IS, which has reportedly murdered 37 people, mostly military personnel, there in recent weeks.
IS, which has claimed several deadly attacks in Libya, as well as the murder of hostages, is also trying to retake the city of Derna, in the country's far east, have having been driven out by rival forces.
IS, which already controls large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, has exploited the chaos that spread across Libya after veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 uprising.
The jihadists control Sirte, Kadhafi's hometown 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli and have been battling both government forces and Islamists in second city Benghazi, a further 550 kilometres to the east.
The senior officer said warplanes Tuesday struck a "house in an industrial area south of Ajdabiya where jihadists were meeting".
Advertisement
Tuesday's strike was preceded by others last week, the officer said.
Advertisement
IS, which has claimed several deadly attacks in Libya, as well as the murder of hostages, is also trying to retake the city of Derna, in the country's far east, have having been driven out by rival forces.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Russian Prison Siege By ISIS Inmates Ends, Hostages Safe Islamic State Claims Attack In Afghanistan That Killed 3 Spanish Tourists 3 German Teenagers Detained For Planning ISIS-Like Attack Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Recalled To Academy, Training Put On Hold What Trump Rally Shooter Did On Last Day Of His Life Four In Five Americans Fear Country Is Sliding Into Chaos: Polls Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 2.39 Lakh Admission Deadline Extended For EWS And Special Needs Children Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.