Africa

Up to 3,000 Daesh militants operating in Libya: UN

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Experts from the United Nations (UN) say there are between 2,000 and 3,000 members of Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Libya.

The experts, in a 24-page report released on Tuesday, said “that, in total, Daesh has no more than 2,000-3,000 members in Libya,” with about 1,500 now being in Sirte, which is located 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of the capital city of Tripoli and was overrun by the extremists in February.

The report added that the Libyan branch of Daesh “faces strong resistance from the population, as well as difficulties in building and maintaining local alliances,” stressing that the Takfiris’ threat “needs to be realistically assessed.”

It said Daesh is taking advantage of its “appeal” and atrocious campaign in the Middle Eastern countries of Iraq and Syria, and poses “an evident short and long-term threat in Libya” since it regards the country as the “best” opportunity to expand its militancy.

Nonetheless, the experts said there is concern about the spread of Daesh in Libya, given the country’s strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea and its use as a transit point in North Africa.

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