WASHINGTON: The US military conducted air strikes in Libya on Monday following a government request to target the Islamic State group's Libyan stronghold of Sirte, the Pentagon announced.
"At the request of the Libyan Government of National Accord, the United States military conducted precision air strikes against ISIL targets in Sirte, Libya, to support GNA-affiliated forces seeking to defeat ISIL in its primary stronghold in Libya," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement, using an acronym for the IS group.
The US strikes in Sirte "will continue," Cook added without elaborating.
President Barack Obama authorized the bombings following recommendations from top Pentagon officials, and the strikes are "consistent with our approach to combating ISIL by working with capable and motivated local forces," Cook added.
"The US stands with the international community in supporting the GNA as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya," he said.
Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of Libya's unity government, announced the strikes in a televised speech, noting it was the first time the US had conducted such operations in Sirte.