More than 80 "Islamic State" (IS) militants, some of whom were believed to be plotting attacks in Europe, died in US air strikes on camps outside the group's former North African stronghold of Sirte in Libya, the United States said on Thursday. The attack took place 45 km southwest of Sirte, targeting fighters fleeing Libyan forces clearing them from Sirte with support from US air strikes. It's unclear whether Donald Trump, who takes office as US president on Friday, might seek to alter US policy in Libya. The United States carried out nearly 500 air strikes against IS targets in Sirte between August and December. It had previously carried out several isolated strikes against militant targets elsewhere in Libya.

Source: Egypt Independent January 20, 2017 18:26 UTC