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Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Libya Airstrike

Pentagon Press Operations

Release No: NR-058-16 
February 19, 2016

Early this morning the U.S. military conducted an airstrike in Libya targeting an ISIL training camp near Sabratha and Noureddine Chouchane, a.k.a. "Sabir," a Tunisian national who was an ISIL senior facilitator in Libya associated with the training camp.   

In May 2015, Tunisian authorities named Chouchane as a suspect in the March 18, 2015, deadly attack on the Bardo Museum in Tunis.  He facilitated the movement of potential ISIL-affiliated foreign fighters from Tunisia to Libya and onward to other countries. 

Destruction of the camp and Chouchane's removal will eliminate an experienced facilitator and is expected to have an immediate impact on ISIL's ability to facilitate its activities in Libya, including recruiting new ISIL members, establishing bases in Libya, and potentially planning external attacks on U.S. interests in the region.

We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information as and when appropriate.

This strike demonstrates we will go after ISIL whenever it is necessary, using the full range of tools at our disposal.

Original Release