In a move that we feel is overdue, yet still definitely necessary, more U.S. surveillance drones will be in the skies over Libya. After a power vacuum was created post-Odyssey Dawn, more S.A. on the goings-on in the region is a good thing. There are still plenty of nefarious folks in the area who wish to do harm to anyone who doesn’t see the world through their eyes. That number has grown to a size with apparently enough weight to green light more drones. Hopefully specific action is on the horizon.
The U.S. has moved surveillance drones into the skies over Libya to gather intelligence and get a better picture of what’s going on in case additional military strikes against Islamic State militants are authorized.
The top U.S. military officer told a Senate committee on Thursday that the Pentagon has shifted assets to Libya, based on recommendations from the U.S. commander for Africa.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the decision was made more than a month ago to increase resources for U.S. Africa Command.
The RQ-4 Block 10 Global Hawk. (Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman)
U.S. officials say the decision allows the Pentagon to shift unmanned aircraft to Libya. Dunford said he agrees with assessments that there are about 6,000 Islamic State militants in Libya.
The rise of the Islamic State in Libya has triggered broad concerns, particularly in Europe. Earlier this month, Army Gen. David Rodriguez, head of U.S. Africa Command, said that the number of Islamic State militants in Libya has doubled in the last year or so to as many as 6,000 fighters, with aspirations to conduct attacks against the U.S. and other nations in the West.
The original article can be read in its entirety at Military Times right here.
(Featured Photo courtesy of Northrup Grumman)