(U.S. Army)The U.S. military launched six drone strikes against Islamic State positions in Libya on Friday, months after militants were driven from safe havens there. In a statement, U.S. Africa Command said Islamic State militants strategically capture ungoverned territory to recruit and plot attacks, including in Europe. U.S. forces began targeting the Islamic State there since early 2016, when the militant group had upward of 6,000 fighters spread throughout Sirte and surrounding areas. At the time, U.S. officials declared the operation a potent blow to the Islamic State’s dwindling presence in the region. More at Checkpoint:For the first time, the Marine Corps plans to have a female infantry officer among its ranksMarine gunships enter the fight against the Islamic State in Libya

Source: Washington Post September 24, 2017 21:47 UTC