18 – 24 September: US AFRICOM launches airstrikes against ISIS near Murzuq

Sep 26, 2019 | ISIS

On 19 September, US AFRICOM launched aerial attacks targeting alleged Islamic State (ISIS) members located near Murzuq. A statement from AFRICOM indicated that they had killed eight ISIS fighters, while no civilians were injured or killed in the operation. It noted that it had coordinated the operation with the Government of National Accord.

This incident coincided with reports claiming the Libyan National Army (LNA) launched four airstrikes on abandoned homes in al-Qala area of Murzuq. On 17 September, unverified reports claim the LNA launched airstrikes near the Harouj mountains, killing 14 ISIS fighters and several vehicles. However, there has been no official claim of responsibility from the LNA at this time.

On 24 September, US Africom launched aerial attacks targeting alleged Islamic State (ISIS) members located near Murzuq again. Similar to the previous statement, Africom asserted that it had undertaken the operation in coordination with the Government of National Accord. It claimed that eleven ISIS fighters were killed with no civilian casualties.