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.
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
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - November 29, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 29, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published