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US Airstrikes Target ISIS Stronghold in Libya

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Pentagon officials say the U.S. launched a series of airstrikes Monday on Sirte, a Mediterranean port city on Libya's northern coast.

The airstrikes came at the request of the Libyan government to support forces fighting ISIS in Sirte, the Islamic group's primary stronghold in Libya.

"The U.S. stands with the international community in supporting the GNA (Libyan Government of National Accord) as it strives to restore stability and security to Libya," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said, CNN reported.

According to a Human Rights Watch report, ISIS began arriving in Sirte in late 2014. By August 2015, the city became the group's largest stronghold outside of Syria and Iraq.

Two-thirds of the city's 80,000 residents fled as the regime imposed Sharia law, executed alleged spies, and kidnapped dozens of Libyan militia fighters.

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