U.S. to continue airstrikes against IS in Libya for one month

Since August 1st, the United States has been carrying out Operation Odyssey Lightning a bombing mission in Libya in support of the offensive against the Islamic State (IS) in Sirte by the forces of the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous (Solid Structure or BAM).
BAM forces are mainly from Misrata and are loyal to the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA). The operation has been successful in helping the BAM forces defeat the remnants of the IS who remain in Sirte. Very little of Sirte is left to be cleared and the battle should be over within days. In spite of this, President Obama has extended the mission for another entire month, two defense officials told said.
The US has launched more than one hundred missions against the Islamic State in Sirte since the operation began. An AFRICOM spokesperson, Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Falvo, said: “U.S. precision airstrikes have enabled GNA-aligned forces to advance and take key areas of the city from the grasp of the Islamic State.” On Monday alone the US Africa Command carried out five strikes against IS positions in Sirte. A recent tweet gives a more updated tally of the strikes: “#Libya : Harrier jets have conducted 124 missions & the Cobra attack helicopters have flown 31 missions in #Sirte.”
Obama’s decision will keep two U.S. warships off the coast of Libya.