In a press briefing at the Pentagon today, African Command leader Gen. Thomas Waldhauser announced that the US intends to keep ground troops in Libya for the foreseeable future to support “friendly forces,” and to “degrade” the ISIS forces that remain in the country.
Waldhauser did not specify how many US troops are in Libya now, or how many will stay, but did estimate that there were less than 200 ISIS fighters left in Libya. The US had announced the end of the anti-ISIS campaign in Libya back in December, but never fully withdrew from the country.
The US forces were in Libya trying to help the “unity” government defeat ISIS in the city of Sirte. US officials repeatedly claimed the city was totally surrounded, and that no ISIS fighters would get away, though when the fighting finally ended, a substantial number of ISIS fighters did in fact get away.
Waldhauser hinted that the US operations in Libya would primarily be airstrikes going forward, saying that the US needs to have troops on the ground for “precision airstrikes” and “close-air support operations.” He added that the last US airstrikes, in January, involved US troops meeting face-to-face with allies on coordinating the strikes.
“announced that the US intends to keep ground troops in Libya for the foreseeable future . . . never fully withdrew from the country.”
That is exactly what was forbidden in the UN resolution that was used as justification for the attack on Libya. It is exactly what Obama said we’d never do, said repeatedly.
Even before this, the Russians felt we’d abused that resolution, but this is certainly a step well beyond.
The West simply disregards the same sorts of things it accuses the Russians of disregarding.
Well then tell Obama to talk to Trump and make Trump do the right thing.
Oh right! It’s still Obama’s fault.
Trump is letting the Pentagram do whatever they want.
The US is a gangster state. Its bootleg liquor is oil, the boys it sends round are armies and its drive-by shootings are A-10 strafings.
Trump will keep US troops in Libya. Because Trump at least understands that Iran is on the US hitlist and Libya is another stepping stone to that end.
Trump made it clear to his supporters that he was going to destroy the deal with Iran that Obama succeeded in getting past the hawks. And of course, the haters who supported Trump could easily and quickly be supportive of destroying anything good Obama accomplished.
Once again, the big Trump lies about being opposed to more US led wars, exposed!
Trump better drop Bannan from being his head advisor and get Justin if he wants to stay out of trouble . The pentagon budget was supposed to be cut by 1/3 at the top . With the advice and the foolish positions they have forced us to take . That doesn’t look like a big enough cut to me .
African Command leader Gen. Thomas He means Recovery and strengthening of ISIS