Fayez Serraj, the head of the U.N.-brokered presidency council, attends a news conference in Vienna, Austria. The U.S. launched multiple airstrikes against Islamic State militants Monday, Aug. 1, 2016.The Associated Press
The United States launched multiple air strikes against Islamic State militants in Libya on Monday, opening a new, more persistent front against the group at the request of the United Nations-backed government, Libyan and U.S. officials said.
Fayez Serraj, the head of Libya's UN-brokered presidency council, said in a televised statement that U.S. warplanes attacked the Islamic State bastion of Sirte on the Mediterranean in northern Libya. No U.S. ground forces will be deployed, he said.
The precision strikes, which targeted an Islamic State tank and vehicles, come amid growing concerns about the group's increased threat to Europe and its ability to inspire attacks across the region, even though its numbers have been shrinking because of attacks from local forces and allied international troops.
"The presidency council, as the general army commander, has made a request for direct U.S. support to carry out specific air strikes," Mr. Serraj said. "The first strikes started today in positions in Sirte, causing major casualties."
The strikes mark the start of a more intense American role in the fight against the Islamic State in Libya, as the United States steps in to assist the fragile, UN-backed government. They were the first strikes by the United States on the group in Libya since February, and they are expected to continue. But officials said they expect the air campaign will last weeks, not months.
U.S. President Obama's authorization for action in Sirte covers strikes, intelligence and surveillance, but not ground operations, according to a White House official, who wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the strikes and requested anonymity.
Mr. Serraj said his government is joining the coalition against the Islamic State, adding, "This is the time for the international community to live up to its promises to the Libyan people."
He also noted that the strikes will not go beyond Sirte and its surroundings. He said any other foreign intervention is not allowed without co-ordination.
His warning comes after several French commandos were killed fighting Islamic State militants. U.S., French, British and Italian special operations forces and military experts have been assisting Libyan troops fighting IS militants in eastern and western Libya.