US officials claimed Special Ops established outposts in Libya

World Today

U.S. Special Operations forces have established two covert outposts in Libya to combat the growing threat of ISIL. That’s according to American officials speaking to the Washington Post.

They’re trying to establish ways to support armed factions willing to counter the terrorist group.

CCTV America’s Daniel Ryntjes has more. Follow Daniel Ryntjes on Twitter @danielryntjes

U.S. Special Operations forces sometimes conduct dramatic assaults on the compounds of high profile terrorists, such as Osama bin Laden. But most of their work remains covert.

Officials have disclosed that since late 2015 two Special Forces teams – fewer than 25 troops – have been operating in the Libyan cities, Misurata and Benghazi

The Washington Post reports anonymous U.S. officials told the newspaper that their principal mission is intelligence gathering, as this analyst explains.

The vulnerability of such a small force presents political risk to President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton is accused of failing to provide additional security for the U.S. consulate in Benghazi – an attack there by militants took the lives of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

The U.S. is taking measures to avoid another incident like that.

“We want some of these Libyan militias to be aware that if they were to work together and support the national unity government that’s been created, but is sort of powerless at the moment, that the Western world might be willing to step in and support them. Showing that we are already willing to be on the ground conveys a seriousness of purpose,” Michael O’Hanlon, senior fellow at Brookings Institution said.


Kamran Bokhari discusses US strategy in Libya

For more on the news of the U.S. establishing outposts in Libya and backing groups to fight ISIL, CCTV America’s Mike Walter spoke to Kamran Bokhari, director of Political Affairs at the Center for Global Policy.