US says it killed 17 IS militants with airstrikes in Libya

CAIRO – The United States says it has launched airstrikes in Libya that killed 17 Islamic State militants and destroyed three vehicles.

In a statement Sunday, U.S. Africa Command says that in co-ordination with Libya’s internationally recognized Tripoli-based government, it struck a camp on Friday some 150 miles southeast of the coastal city of Sirte.

It says the camp was used by IS to move fighters in and out of the country, stockpile weapons and conduct attacks.

Libya sank into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed leader Moammar Gadhafi. It is split between rival parliaments, governments and militias in the east and west.

IS and al-Qaida have taken advantage of the chaos to seize territory and set up hideouts, but lost their main stronghold of Sirte this year.